We were lucky to catch up with Amberly Kelley-dotson recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Amberly, so excited to have you with us today and we are really interested in hearing your thoughts about how folks can develop their empathy? In our experience, most folks want to be empathic towards others, but in a world where we are often only surrounded by people who are very similar to us, it can sometimes be a challenge to develop empathy for others who might not be as similar to us. Any thoughts or advice?
Looking back on my life, I feel I’ve always been a sensitive person who can pick up on others’ pain and discomfort, often feeling it myself—even when it isn’t mine to bear. Throughout my life, I’ve worked hard to maintain energetic and emotional boundaries so that I don’t take on too much from others while still being able to empathize with their struggles.
In my childhood and early adolescence, I was often told that I was too sensitive and took things too personally. This was viewed as a problem rather than a gift. In adulthood, I’ve reframed that perspective and now see my sensitivity as a strength, offering the little Amberly inside of me the love and acceptance I needed. I have a big heart and so much love for others. Because of my sensitivity, I can truly be present with people in their struggles. I often sense how they’re feeling without needing them to elaborate, which allows me to offer support without becoming overwhelmed.
I frequently refer to myself as having a “lengthy trauma history,” and I believe this experience helps me understand others on a deeper level. While I will never ‘silver line’ my trauma, I can see the ways it has shaped me and influenced how I view others. My early childhood was spent in a single-parent home, supported by aunts, uncles, and my grandparents, who helped make ends meet. Spending so much time surrounded by the love of my grandmother instilled in me the importance of helping others. Growing up in a very rural, small Southern town and knowing I was queer from a young age only deepened my understanding of the need for empathy, acceptance, and kindness for others.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
In my business at Amble Wellbeing, I focus on creating a nurturing space for personal growth and healing through various therapeutic practices. I use tools from trauma-informed therapeutic yoga and Ayurveda to help individuals connect with their bodies and emotions in a supportive environment. One of the most rewarding aspects of my work is watching my students have those ‘Aha!’ moments—when things start to click. Whether it’s understanding how one part of the body connects to another, how breath and the nervous system work together, or how inner dialogue influences behavior, these realizations are powerful.
I love the deep work of Viniyoga and Ayurveda because it just makes sense. We are all unique and therefore need unique approaches to well-being. I don’t believe in a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach to any aspect of wellness. What excites me most about this work is witnessing the profound shifts in my clients as they learn to embody their experiences and cultivate self-compassion. Each person’s journey is unique, and I am honored to accompany them on their path toward healing and empowerment. My approach emphasizes kindness and understanding, allowing clients to explore their vulnerabilities without judgment.
My philosophy is rooted in accessibility and inclusivity; I believe everyone deserves to feel well in every sense, regardless of ability, class, color, age, gender identity, or sexual orientation. I strive to make my practice welcoming and inclusive to all, offering sliding scale pricing and trauma-aware practices tailored to individual needs. I am deeply committed to integrity and accountability in my teaching. I trust in the authenticity of my training lineages and believe in continuous learning—from my own work with my teachers and mentors, from my personal practice, and from my students. I only teach what I have been taught and am transparent when I don’t have all the answers. Being accountable means following through on commitments, whether it’s providing resources or supporting my clients in whatever way they need. I also prioritize practicality and sustainability in my approach. Your practice should enhance your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. If self-care feels burdensome, it can lead to resentment. I support my clients in finding a balance that fits their schedules, interests, and evolving needs. I encourage curiosity and self-inquiry. It’s easy to fall into all-or-nothing thinking, labeling ourselves as ‘good’ or ‘bad.’ I advocate for active curiosity, viewing our experiences as information that helps build self-awareness, leading to greater kindness toward ourselves and others.
I’m really excited about my latest offering: a Mentorship Program for yoga teachers. This program is open to anyone who has completed a yoga teacher training, regardless of whether they are actively teaching. It’s designed for teachers who feel disconnected from their personal practice, those who want to learn how to teach from a therapeutic lens, and especially for those who have been burned by the ‘yoga world’ and are feeling disheartened. It’s also a great opportunity for those seeking to connect with a community of like-minded individuals and reconnect with the deeper teachings available to them. In this program, yoga teachers will have access to two one-on-one sessions with me monthly to both support their personal practice and their teaching, a monthly group workshop on a variety of different subjects, access to a digital library of all previous workshops for revisiting, and an online (off of social media) platform for connecting with each other.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Looking back, I believe the three most impactful qualities in my journey have been self-compassion, collaboration, and a commitment to ongoing learning.
First and foremost, self-compassion must be at the forefront of our journeys. Burning the candle at both ends to prove our worth helps no one in the end; it only leads to burnout and depletion. To be transparent, this is a lesson I continue to learn in various ways, but I know that I cannot care for others if I am not prioritizing caring for myself.
Secondly, asking for help, working with others, and collaborating with those who lift you up is essential. We are stronger together, and the success of someone else is not a failure of your own. Overcoming the scarcity mindset and recognizing that there is plenty for all of us is life-changing. We cannot do everything on our own. The reality is that we need help, and asking for it doesn’t make you weak or incapable; it shows self-awareness and strength.
Lastly, as a lifelong learner, I believe that commitment to ongoing learning is something we all need to practice. Learning doesn’t end when we graduate from school; we must remain open to the many ways we can continue to grow and change throughout life, allowing this growth to influence our work.
For those starting out, be true to yourself and your values, and don’t deplete yourself in the name of success. There must be a balance between hustle and rest. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?
I go outside. Take deep breaths. Silence my phone. Get organized.
It’s very easy for me to spiral when I’m overwhelmed, thinking I’ll never get everything done and stressing about time. I interrupt these overwhelming thoughts by going outside and reconnecting with the Earth. I take a few deep breaths to ground myself in nature, shake off the energy of feeling overwhelmed, and then set to work. I set a timer on my phone for about 45 minutes (or whatever amount of time I have), turn my phone to ‘Do Not Disturb,’ and place it away from me to avoid distractions from incoming calls or messages. I make a list of tasks, organizing them by priority and the time needed to complete them. I tackle the high-priority, low-time tasks first and continue until my timer goes. By the end of this process, I usually feel calmer and more capable of addressing what needs to be done. I also try to maintain the perspective that I can’t do everything, and that’s okay. Some of my spinning plates will fall—I just need to recognize which ones are from the dollar store and which ones are family heirlooms.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.amblewellbeing.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/AmberlyYoga
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmberlyYoga
Image Credits
Caroline Trotter
https://www.carolinetrotter.com/
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