Today we’d like to introduce you to Marigold Amber Marie (Amber Marie Heigl).
Hi Marigold, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
My passion for plants, nature, movement and healing modalities began at a young age. Although my yoga practice did not begin until age 19, I was introduced to the bliss and healing that comes from movement by taking dance classes for most of my adolescence. I was also privileged to spend a lot of my childhood in nature. Some of my earliest memories are putting water and flowers from my family’s garden in jars with lids and then giving them to my Grandmothers as gifts. I remember admiring the beauty of the flowers in the water and how happy it made me to look at them in the jars and give them away. As a 5 year old, I had noted that I wanted to be a “nature hunter” and that my favorite color was gold.
Throughout my 20s, I traveled around the U.S. and abroad whenever I could. I often spent a lot of time in nature and always was in search of the forest, mountains, or water sources. I also learned about different herbal plants from around the country and world and studied yoga. Although I studied and experienced herbalism, yoga, reiki, and other healing modalities, throughout this time, I also went through a very lost period during my late teens and well into my 20’s. At times, I struggled greatly with my mental health. I went through some painful and dangerous experiences! I eventually had to learn how to heal myself through the goddess/Mother Earth, yoga, plants, sound, and various other healing modalities. I was and am also blessed to have certain people in my life to help me get through it and still support me today. After completing my Yoga Teacher Training in India, my life slowly changed when I returned to the U.S. I began to study/practice yoga and work with herbs and other healing modalities more and more. I continued to work on my toxic and unhealthy patterns that were holding me back, causing me a lot of pain and taking me away from my truth. It was and is definitely a process and It is still a journey. I still have my struggles and difficult times of course, but I am learning and growing every day. I am grateful I went through it because now I have been able to help guide others back to their inner light and Mother Earth.
After returning from India, I spent the next few years studying/ teaching yoga and writing music/performing. I also did some studying and traveling in Latin America. The jungles and local people amazed and inspired me so much. When I returned home from a trip, I decided to finish my Herbal Studies Certificate at the local community college and I have been here in Minneapolis ever since! The program/teacher inspired me to continue on the path of herbal studies and also allowed me to develop a lifelong connection with the plant allies. The program also allowed me to connect with other herb/alternative health enthusiasts. My days were filled with learning about herbs and making medicine for a few months and I loved it. After my Mom suffered a hip injury, I began researching herbs to support bone health and began making salves for my Mom’s hip. We had been studying different herbs that were used to treat bone and muscle injuries. I was excited to try and was also really hoping it would help my Mom. Sure enough, the plants did their magic and offered much support to my mama during a difficult time for her. I enjoyed the process of herbal salve making so much that I couldn’t stop. After completing the program, I began growing and harvesting herbs from my garden and now use my herbs to make salves, tinctures, and teas. I do a market here and there where I can sell my crafts, but I mostly trade, sell, or gift salves and tinctures to those in my community. My partner’s mom has also had success with treating back pain with the herbal salves I have made. She has begun growing and collecting lavender, calendula and chamomile blossoms for me. I am able to dry and then extract with oil for the herbal salves. I feel grateful to be able to offer support through plants to my loved ones when they have injuries, aches and pains through the plants. I also love to be able to offer suggestions and provide herbs for various ailments.
I offer outdoor weekly yoga classes and sometimes host Goddess and Moon circles. After the pandemic, the studio I had been working and practicing at for the past few years had closed and my yoga classes began to move outside during the warm season. Teaching outside has been a blissful experience. The feeling of practicing yoga and movement medicine on Mother Earth is like no other. It invokes a special aliveness and creates a beautiful earth connection. My yoga classes are moon/goddess inspired and involve dance, sound healing, kundalini, and recognizing the divine feminine within and all around. I work to follow the ancient texts and incorporate the Yamas and Niyamas, asana practice, mantra chanting, breath work, and meditation. As a certified Yoga Therapist, I also include yoga therapy in my classes. In the fall, I am excited to combine She Plants Magick and Cosmic Moon Yoga by combining herbal education with yoga for an Intuitive Plant Medicine + Yoga workshop. The workshop will involve some at-home research with a plant of choice. The idea is to encourage the idea and truth that plants have so much wisdom to offer. I also hope that it can help others see how simple working with herbs can be and that it reveals the magic of forming a relationship with plants.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a smooth road?
There have been so many bumps and I have struggled with so many things. Despite the difficulties and painful happenings, I feel all of these struggles have made me stronger and they have led me to this moment which I am grateful for. I am proud of myself for getting through my 20s and continuing on my creative and healing path. There have also been a lot of times where things effortlessly and beautifully work out. Throughout the years, there have for sure been times when I wanted to give up music, teaching or working with plants, but there is a force inside that keeps me on this path. I know yoga, plants, etc. have saved my life and are so important when I truly sit with myself. When I have negative thoughts or self-doubt, the universe always has a way to whisper to keep going, and so I do.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Currently, I teach goddess-inspired yoga, yoga therapy, plant wisdom, and oneness with mother nature. Movement is so medicinal and I love to share this with others. My movement/yoga classes often take place outside. I also like to host Moon and Goddess Circles. These circles are always different but usually consist of some sort of earth medicine, music, guided meditation, circling/sharing, and a goddess/flowy yoga practice. Generally, the circles take place during certain cosmic events and new or full moon. I love making herbal salves, tea, and tinctures with herbs I have grown and harvested from my garden. I love music and am also a vocalist and use sound healing in my yoga classes. Art is very important to me and I enjoy painting and drawing when I can. I work to bring this creativity into my classes as well as create a space for other artists or those who are looking to awaken their natural and abundant creative forces within.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
My partner, family, teachers, friends, the plants, and the goddess/Mother Earth have all been there and supported me even in my craziest or most difficult times. Without them and their love, I would not be able to blossom the way I have. I would not be able to survive. So l am grateful, and I know I am blessed. I am also so grateful for the yoga practice and honor its lineage. I am grateful for all of my teachers over the years and right now and those who took the time and care out to guide me on my path.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.cosmicmoon.space
- Instagram: @marigoldambermarie
- Facebook: @marigoldambermarie
- Other: @sheplantsmagick @cosmicmoonyoga
Image Credits: Sebastian Tomczak @stardawgphotography
