MY JOURNEY INTO YOGA (union) began in 2000 and has since become my entire life. In the many years that I have been practicing yoga and studying Ayurveda, I have repeatedly observed that lifestyle choices, such as diet, exercise, and daily routine, can be a potent source of healing as well as a cause of disease. Many health problems seem intertwined with the stresses of daily life, family and relationship problems, and worries about jobs and money. Others are directly connected to eating the wrong kinds of food or getting too much or too little exercise. I have also grown more and more aware that illness provides us with an invitation for self-transformation, an opportunity to change our way of thinking, feeling, eating, and in general caring for ourselves and our lives. It never ceases to amaze and delight me how quickly and powerfully life can be set on the right track and balance restored simply through a proper diet, herbal medicines, meditation, an appropriate exercise program, and other purely natural means. Alas, sometimes we just need someone to help set us on the right path.
I believe in teaching students the use of a "beginner's mind," a mindset which involves opening one's heart and mind, staying in the present moment and reminding oneself of the reason why one first entered the yoga studio. I believe that the "beginner's mind" philosophy helps us to create a strong foundation of basic poses and movement to draw upon when it eventually guides us into the intermediate and advanced stages of the poses. If I were to define yoga in three words, those three words would be happiness, humbleness, and acceptance. Therefore, the practices are to create happiness and renew energy, improving by acknowledging, embracing, even laughing at our imperfections, yet at the same time trying to improve upon them. Every one of us is unique and no one is better or worse at yoga as a result of these imperfections.
I look forward to working with you in the studio, your home or mine, or in nature. Let's share our knowledge, positive energy and joy with one another.
Love & Light,
Ashley Cruz – Owner / Founder of YogaWasi & Blessed Yoga
I believe in teaching students the use of a "beginner's mind," a mindset which involves opening one's heart and mind, staying in the present moment and reminding oneself of the reason why one first entered the yoga studio. I believe that the "beginner's mind" philosophy helps us to create a strong foundation of basic poses and movement to draw upon when it eventually guides us into the intermediate and advanced stages of the poses. If I were to define yoga in three words, those three words would be happiness, humbleness, and acceptance. Therefore, the practices are to create happiness and renew energy, improving by acknowledging, embracing, even laughing at our imperfections, yet at the same time trying to improve upon them. Every one of us is unique and no one is better or worse at yoga as a result of these imperfections.
I look forward to working with you in the studio, your home or mine, or in nature. Let's share our knowledge, positive energy and joy with one another.
Love & Light,
Ashley Cruz – Owner / Founder of YogaWasi & Blessed Yoga
QUALIFICATIONS
- I began practicing yoga in 2000. I had injured my back (herniated disk) while playing sports and my doctor said I would need surgery. When he left the room, the nurse turned to me and whispered, "Or, you could just do yoga." I gave her my home address and she promptly sent me a large envelope of worksheets with yoga poses printed on them. These daily, gentle exercises healed my back and I successfully avoided surgery. Since then, I have been deeply drawn to anything that can heal me naturally. Whether it be yoga, nutrition, ayurveda, or mindfulness - I started studying it.
- In 2001, I discovered Rodney Yee via NetFlix ;) My yoga practice ventured into new territory.
- In 2005, I began studying the Yoga Sutras, the Bhagavad Gita, and other important yoga texts. As my yoga practice blossomed, I started feeling more comfortable sharing what I was learning with others. Yoga studio owners began asking me to teach classes. Fellow studio goers started asking me for information regarding Ayurveda and herbs. Friends began asking me to teach them yoga at my house or in the local parks. Although I did not yet feel comfortable teaching at a studio (as I didn't have a certificate), I spent the next few years leading yoga classes in the park or at my home to friends and family.
- In 2008, I entered into the ashram of 7 Centers Yoga Arts in Sedona, AZ for a classically trained, 200-hour Hatha/Kriya Yoga Teacher Training. It was here where I gained background in Kundalini Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Kriya Yoga and the Shatkarmas (yogic cleanses) through the lineage of Swami Satyananda Saraswati of the Bihar School of Yoga. It was also here where I learned the basics of Ayurveda for supporting the yogic lifestyle.
- Since 2008, I have gone on to study with Sradhasagra Ruth Hartung and Rama Jyoti Vernon (Founder of Yoga Journal) in applying the Yoga Sutras according to Patanjali, as well as the importance of opening and balancing out the Chakras of the body during a 10-Day Chakra Intensive Course and how to resolve conflict peacefully via a 10-Day Conflict Resolution Course led by Rama Jyoti Vernon.
- In 2011, I completed a 300-hour Ayurvedic Healing Course at the American Institute of Vedic Studies under Dr. David Frawley.
- In 2013, I completed a 300-hour Yoga Therapy Course at 7 Centers Yoga Arts, which deepened my therapeutic approach to yoga. In 2013, I registered with Yoga Alliance as a 500 Hour - Yoga Teacher, but have since discontinued my membership with them because I do not feel comfortable supporting an organization that doesn't, in fact, confirm the training and backgrounds of other teachers. I would rather invest that membership fee into my own education which is subsequently beneficial for my students.
- Since graduating from 7 Centers Yoga Arts in 2008, I have completed an additional 6-week Ayurveda apprenticeship under Mira Murphy (daughter of Rama Jyoti Vernon and Ayurveda Chef for 7 Centers Yoga Arts, as well as a graduate of Dr. Lad's Ayurvedic Institute in New Mexico).
- Since 2011, I've practiced over 500 hours of guided sadhana (led by Zac Occhiline - primary teacher trainer for the 200hr - 500hr Yoga Teacher Trainings at 7 Centers Yoga Arts). Sadhana includes waking at 4 a.m., performing shatkarmas (yogic cleanses), practicing yoga, chanting and meditation, as well as pranayama until 8 a.m for 30 consecutive days. I like to practice my own 30 day sadhana (since I have moved from Sedona), at least twice a year.
- In 2013, I completed an Anatomy and Physiology course in order to better understand and attempt to reconcile the experiential, sometimes esoteric knowledge of yoga with the science of anatomy, recognizing that both disciplines have important insights to offer the other. I completed the course with a grade of 104.17 (A+).
- In 2015, I entered the Shri K. Pattabhi Jois Ashtanga Institute in Mysore, India for my Ashtanga Teacher Training Certification. My teacher, R. Saraswathi Jois taught me exactly as she had learned from her guru and father Pattabhi Jois. I am forever grateful for my training and for my life changing experiences in India.
- In 2020, I became certified in Reiki I and Reiki II at London Reiki (Awakening Light).
- On average, I earn at least 250 hours of continued yoga education every single year in the form of multiple month long sadhana's, 10-day Vipassanas, Yoga/Ayurveda/Aromatherapy workshops, yoga teacher trainings, college courses, yoga text studies and yoga festival participation.
- I continue to participate/take classes from other yoga teachers at least twice a week in order to continue learning and to be inspired.
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YOGA EDUCATION
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EMPLOYMENT
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Founded & Owned YogaWasi in Cusco, Peru
August 2017 - September 2018
Founded Blessed Yoga by Ashley 2011 - Present
Freelance Vinyasa Yoga Instructor 2011 - 2017
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REFERENCES
Any of my previous employers and students would be happy to provide you with references. Please feel free to contact me for their most current email addresses or phone numbers. In the meantime, please feel free to review my students testimonials or reviews for YogaWasi on Facebook, Google, TripAdvisor, etc. YogaWasi was purchased by a Peruvian in 2018, but any reviews up to September 22nd of that year are a result of my teaching style and business management style. Photos of me teaching and of my happy students can also still be found on both the YogaWasi Facebook page and YogaWasi Instagram, as well as in my blog (along the right side), and throughout this website.
Any of my previous employers and students would be happy to provide you with references. Please feel free to contact me for their most current email addresses or phone numbers. In the meantime, please feel free to review my students testimonials or reviews for YogaWasi on Facebook, Google, TripAdvisor, etc. YogaWasi was purchased by a Peruvian in 2018, but any reviews up to September 22nd of that year are a result of my teaching style and business management style. Photos of me teaching and of my happy students can also still be found on both the YogaWasi Facebook page and YogaWasi Instagram, as well as in my blog (along the right side), and throughout this website.
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ACADEMIC EDUCATION
Arizona State University Bachelor of Arts, English (Literature) GPA: 4.26 - summa cum laude King's College London MA Comparative Literature 2020-2022 |
OTHER EMPLOYMENT
Global Active Learning School Cusco, Peru English Coordinator & English Teacher 2017 - 2018 Ausangate IB School Cusco, Peru English Teacher 2015 - 2017 Voyageur Canoe Outfitters Grand Marais, MN Owner/Partner 2011 - 2015 JP Morgan Chase Bank Sedona, AZ Private Banker 2009 - 2011 |
HOBBIES
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