Today we’d like to introduce you to Allison Bee “Alli Bee” Levy.
Hi Allison Bee “Alli Bee”, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
What a “Wild Journey to the Light” it has been for me. My story began at a young age. I grew up in a small East Texas town and was bullied worse than most throughout high school. I was traumatized from being verbally, mentally, and physically abused during “initiation” and throughout the next four years. I turned to drugs and alcohol to cope with the pain and humiliation, and I was great at hiding it too. I was numbing myself to my reality and in the process, went to some dark spaces. I knew that what I was experiencing was for a reason, but at the time, I was lost and confused. I turned inward and began my passion for painting and being creative to express myself.
As soon as I turned 18, I fled to Austin to start a new life in 2004. I had art become my saving grace as I worked in the service industry and went to school. Art was my passion, outlet of self-expression, and a side hustle. Long story short – I fell in “love” and got married way too young to the wrong person and found myself in an abusive relationship that mirrored my trauma from high school. This, my friends, is when my book, “Wild Journey to the Light,” was born. At first – this was my sense of therapy to write in my journal before grocery shopping because that was the only alone time I had. I kept my journal in my car in fear that my “husband” would find it and hold it against me. Living in a state of fear and having no one to talk to because I lost all of my friends in this relationship, led me to speak freely when I was writing, I suppose to myself and my future readers.
As I began to write, I noticed that it was almost as if my journal entries were my inner cheerleaders guiding me to do what I needed to do to free myself from this toxic relationship. It was almost as if my higher self was trying to guide me on the right path through journaling. Of course, it’s easier to write about doing the things I needed to do to free myself than actually doing it. I had messages that would come through that just seemed as if they were meant for more than just my eyes. This is when I devoted myself to finding my light, no matter what, so that I could help others who might be in the same situation get out as well. My “imaginary readers” became my inspiration to turn my situations in life into a story that was meant to be shared. Seems silly, but this helped me during this ten-year journey of writing in my journal, in my darkest of moments. My future readers became my inspiration: I had to find my light for us all, so I could show the path out for others with my book.
My book takes you through all my skeletons in my closet, with the utmost honesty and vulnerability as I speak my truth. I tell stories that most people would hide and never want to speak about. I did this so others could process these emotions as they arise as they read. I speak openly about my sexuality and my experiences in hopes that my readers’ hearts begin to open and emotions begin to process alongside mine. I wrote Wild Journey to the Light in hopes to help others become radically okay with their pain and their past. I wanted to document and show how it could be possible to get out of even the darkest of places. That’s the story I was telling myself as I fell into addiction and did not respect my body. My story needed to be relatable, so I figured why not do some “research in the dark ” so that I can say that I too have been there.
I lived abroad in Costa Rica and had a majority of my experience documented there. I lived there for two years and during that time I had some real rude awakenings. I went there with just my dog, and this is really where I learned to follow my heart and trust the process. All I had was my own intuition guiding me, but the messages were blurred with the “party life” never-ending. The rainy season in the jungle inspired me to write more and go inward when the parties stopped. This is where a majority of my book was written – some of my juiciest stories came from this adventure.
When I returned from Costa Rica, I was battling alcoholism and had to take a step back to detox. I found stability working for JuiceLand and living a healthier lifestyle. After working for them for three years, I jumped on the opportunity to win their “Fresh4Life Grant” which would get me $2,000 to chase after my dreams. Yoga has always been my therapy and my AA class when I needed it and this practice has helped me through some tough moments (Especially in Nicaraguan Jail –> that full story is in my book!). All I needed to do was write an essay as to why I deserved to win this grant and how I would use this gift to help the community. I wrote of my experience with yoga when I found myself in Nicaraguan jail, almost scared that I would be judged by this story. When in reality what happened was the opposite – I WON!
This is when I started my yoga teaching career and went deep into an extensive year and a half of yoga training with Practice Yoga Austin. I gained over 500 hours of education and started to see a shift in my world when I began teaching yoga to women in prison as a volunteer. My vibration started to shift and the purpose of my book started to become more clear as to how it should end. It took me ten years to figure out how to articulate and experience finding myself and living in my light: It’s still a continuous journey. Five years later, I still currently only teach at this studio on Thursdays at 4:30 pm.
I went full time into yoga but realized after two years of this I wanted to be more than just a yoga teacher. I picked up the art of woodworking and started my own business, WoodBeeUniques on Etsy creating “reiki infused altars” to display your crystals on. Once more, my artwork was coming in to help support me in my lifetime.
Thanks to the 2020 quarantine, my Etsy business boomed when people were online shopping and supporting small businesses. My altars were then saving me and giving me a wonderful new source of income during such an uncertain time. Not only was my WoodBeeUniques’ business booming, but I also finally had the time to complete and self-publish my book. Not only did I complete my book and self-publish on Amazon in 2020, but I also self-narrated the audio version of Wild Journey to the Light with Black Bird Creative. You can find this version on Audible, iTunes, or you can buy the audiobook outright without a subscription with Google Play, Chirp, and Apple Voice. I just released this version with Findaway Voices so I can also be found on about 30 other platforms, but these are the main ones.
Now, I’m at a point in 2022 when I am ready to step into my power! I just returned from leading my first Yoga and Healing Retreat in the jungle of Costa Rica and have another one planned November 9-14th, 2022. I have an application process before deposits are made, so if you’re interested you can go to my website, www.allibeeyoga.com/retreats to find out more.
I am an entrepreneur of many traits, but my specialty lately has been private clients and catering to helping others on their journey. I host private yoga classes (online or in person), personal training and coaching, journaling or writing accountability and guide, somatic release, breath-work, functional movement, along with reiki sessions or a combination of them all. It really depends on my clients. I’m combining all my skills to help others find their purpose and the goal is to help as many people as possible!
Now more than ever, we need to inspire growth and radical acceptance in each other and ourselves. I have devoted my life to helping others on this journey – the one that continues to have me in the seat of a student at the same time.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
My road to success has been far from smooth. I endured many painful experiences that have brought me to be who I am today. Some might wonder if there is regret – and I’d say, “Nope. It made a great story!” My highs and lows in my life taught me to be a fighter and if anything, made me stronger than I ever thought was possible. Some of the obstacles that I mention in “Wild Journey to the Light” include going through divorce, repeating cycles, addiction, being locked up abroad, not respecting my body or my worth, being lost, and searching for anything to love me.
I have found that through all this pain – the most important thing is to be able to love yourself first. This is something that yoga taught me. I like to say it’s the longest relationship I’ve ever had. When you show up for yourself, something magical happens. This, along with having a drive, is the key to finding your path and purpose in this lifetime. I am okay with all of my obstacles because, without them, I couldn’t be relatable to those who are experiencing this pain currently. The trick is to, “Turn your pain into your power!” (a quote from my book <3) When you shift the perspective, you can shift the outcome.
Anything is possible if you believe it’s possible!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I specialize in helping others feel their best! My main focus for 2022 and beyond is to lead yoga and healing retreats to Costa Rica and Central America. Along with this, I would love to help others with my coaching business using reiki/somatic release with assisted stretching and yoga to help others feel better in their body. We trap so many emotions in our body (especially the hips and shoulders) and it is important to be able to release the blockages to heal. Along with this practice, I am intertwining this with my life coaching business to help others find their way. My mentoring sessions vary depending on what my clients need at the moment. My sessions include reiki, yoga, somatic release with assisted stretching, healthy habits and diet, writing prompts to tap into the Self, accountability, and helping others find their purpose with active listening and questioning. You can find me on Instagram under the name AlliBeeYoga if you’d like to book a session or you can check out my website, www.allibeeyoga.com.
At the moment, I only teach at Practice Yoga Austin off East 6th Street. When I teach publicly, I improv my classes depending on the energy levels and observation of my students. I bring in spiritual messages and channel what needs to be said at the moment. I love this studio because it is donation-based and welcomes everyone in. Not only that but the donations are split 50/50 with the studio and teacher! For me, this is what home feels like.
My upcoming yoga/healing/writing retreats can be found on my website. www.allibeeyoga.com/retreats
You can find me selling my WoodBeeUniques business at the Austin Witches Market at Yarrow and Sage aka, WyrdWood Village. All of the pieces that I create are infused with reiki and are given the intent to create a space in your home where you can create and manifest your desires. I even have one of my pieces as a reiki symbol to help clear out negative energy. You can also find these on Etsy! www.etsy.com/shop/woodbeeuniques
2021 was my year of hiding after I self-published on Amazon and Audible to process what I had just done. In 2022 I feel ready to spread the message and get my book out there to those it could help! My book would be great for anyone who is lost on their journey – I’m sure I have at least one story that will resonate. My first book signing is at Sans Bar on March 19th during SXSW and I couldn’t be more excited! Come by and grab a copy or check out my website for a signed copy. www.wildjourneytothelight.com
Part of myself had to shed away the ego of what others will think of me, especially since I had the vision of this cover for my book so clear in my head. The purpose of my cover photo, by Zach Kracht, was to artistically express how I feel bearing all my secrets to the world. This was not an easy thing to do, yet I know it will help so many souls. That right there makes it worth it for me, even if it just helps one.
My mission and my why is to help others find their light and lift their vibration with the power of thought, manifestation, and movement. We are our own healers and the rulers of our reality. My role here is to help others realize their power and potential however I can.
Risk–taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
If you don’t take a risk, you will never know what you are capable of doing. I took a risk moving to Costa Rica and it created one hell of a story for me. I took a risk diving into the dark depths of depression, addiction, and alcoholism so I could “be relatable” for my book as I did the research in the dark. (This risk almost cost me my life a few times and I don’t recommend that for anyone.) I learned in those dark days that my willpower to find my light was stronger than any doubt. Without the dark, the light couldn’t exist: So there needs to be an experience of both following your heart and taking a leap of faith.
I was never meant to be the kind of person that wished I did something. I did it and thought about it after. Risk-taking involves trusting your heart. When you learn to let your heart guide you to what feels right, the risk seems less scary. “The trick is having faith and not fear.” – quote from my book, Wild Journey to the Light.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.allibeeyoga.com & http://www.wildjourneytothelight.com
- Shop: www.etsy.com/shop/woodbeeuniques
- Instagram: allibeeyoga & woodbeeuniques & wildjourneytothelight
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/allisonbeelevy
Image Credits
Zach Kracht (cover picture for book) Kyle Woods Photography (blue/red hues and city/nature yoga shots) Nikole Velasco Photo (Nature shots with my low content wolf-dog)
