I BOW TO MY TEACHERS IN ALL FORMS

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I've decided to add this section to my website in order to show the variety of students (public, private, prenatal) that have given me direct feedback via Facebook, Trip Advisor, Yelp, email, etc. However, many of my most recent public reviews can be found by researching the yoga studio I created in Cusco, Peru, which I sold after I became pregnant and moved to London. That lovely studio is called YogaWasi. Feel free to check out TripAdvisor (19), Google (27), and Facebook (33) reviews for that business. When I sold it on the 1st of October 2018, it had nothing but 5-star ratings.

Photos of my students over the years can be found in my Kriya Yoga Blog along the right-hand side, on my personal Instagram, and on YogaWasi's Instagram and Facebook Page. In addition, some written testimonials and yoga class photos are posted below for you to consider. (The Ashley Cruz Yoga Instagram is newly formed and intended to replace my personal Instagram, which now has photos of my daughter and is, therefore, now a private account. Still, I have been tagged in multiple photos taken during yoga classes I taught.

STUDENT TESTIMONIALS

❤  From aldea yanapay (great school of love to children), the incredible homely hostal la boheme, the food at mercado san blas and at greenpoint.. my 6 weeks in cusco/qosqo/centre/gravitational centre were all truly well balanced out by the epic yoga room. ■ I have been doing yoga for 5 years in london, lisbon and nyc and I was wonderfully surprised by the teacher Ashley. from her words, to the sense of opportunity, helping, the pace, the getting everyone's names and brief "why am I here", taste for music and simply those oils... vinyasa gained a new look for me. ● You made me feel so balanced out, just when I needed that push. may your excellent work continue and your knowledge be taken further (; Yours, ana maria (portugal) ~ Ana Valinho, Student at The Yoga Room in Cusco, Peru 2015

❤  Without Ashley's guidance throughout my pregnancy journey and into the first day of my labor, I don't think I could have gotten through it. She helped me mentally and physically prepare for my motherhood experience via mindful birthing meditation and yoga therapy two to three days a week for months. And although it was the deep breathing practice which ended up helping me the most during the hardest contractions, it was the fact that Ashley made herself available to me via Facetime whilst in labor that really helped me through. When my contractions started, I panicked because I realized that my birth plan wasn't going to be as I had wanted. With Covid at its worst in London, I wasn't allowed to have my husband in the hospital room with me. So although I tried to remember everything Ashley had taught me, I found myself feeling defeated before it had even begun. But when I reached out to her, she immediately answered and stopped what she was doing to be with me. The moment she started speaking to me on video chat, I immediately felt relief. She led me through 30 minutes of gentle yoga, followed my pranayama and meditation which helped me feel strong and powerful again. Her ability to make me visualize my power still resonates with me today. When we signed off, I believed her when she said I could do it and that I could call her again anytime, no matter what. My family and I are so gratefuL. ~ Jennifer, London 2019 (Prenatal Yoga Student)

❤  I was lucky enough to hear about Ashley's class at Yogisthaan here in Bangalore, India.  I had heard about her classes from a colleague & my curiosity led me to her. The class was packed, something unusual for this studio & which created a lot of excited energy in the space. Ashley's class begins gently with breathing & stretching, in... out..., permitting you to slow the breath, the body & the mind. She speaks softly & her compassion lends itself to the feeling of peace & tranquility that will begin to take you over as the class progresses through sun salutations & into asana work. She often mentions the Yoga Sutras & incorporates the yamas into her classes. She is a master of asanas, or postures, & seems happy to demonstrate these & more challenging anatomical variations to the students without leaving any sense of inadequacy in one's own abilities, only with a desire to progress within oneself. All of her classes end with a wonderful sequence of relaxation. She works through the breath combined with aromatherapy & massage to relax every part of the body, & in so doing, reaches the mind & spirit. I always leave her classes with a sense of well-being & peacefulness. She will be missed in India... ~ Sunil Kumar - Yoga Teacher in Bangalore, India 2015 

❤  Blessed Yoga is a Blessed Experience: in a beautiful location/surroundings, one feels immersed in an Ayurvedic lifestyle. Ashley's knowledge of yoga is extensive and her passion is overflowing, but the greatest gift is her ability to bring it right here, right now, on the mat, applicable to 21st century life. Ashley is generous with her time and deeply committed to her students' growth. Finally, Suggested rates are very economical for the value of guidance and instruction received. ~ Glenn Farley - 2013 (Private Class/Ayurveda Consultation/Public Class Student) REFERENCE

❤  One would be honored to practice with an extraordinary teacher such as Ashley. Her knowledge, commitment and passion for yoga is present in all she does and teaches. She has a gift to be able to help and guide each individual with their own yoga practice. I feel blessed to have found Blessed Yoga! ~ Ruthy B. - 2013 (Yoga for Mom Student)

❤  It has been an absolute pleasure to work with Ashley practicing yoga. She truly cares about each person in the class and tries to suit her class to each students individual needs. She is also very knowledgable with essential oils which I find fascinating. I'm also doing poses and yoga I never thought possible. Ashley is abundant with her knowledge of yoga, her compassion for her students and her love for teaching. Thank you Ashley!!!! ! Danielle G. - 2013 (Yoga for Mom Student)

❤  I love our weekly yoga sessions with Ashley's guidance and instruction. She is super knowledgeable with the power of breath, with the asanas, with essential oils and with offering the balance of a strong engaging practice complimented with tranquility and peace. She holds the sacred space beautifully while our kiddo's run around without getting distracted and honors our needs as mom's to come in and out of the practice when needed to attend to our little ones. I am so grateful for our weekly practice together for both myself and for my son. Thank you, Ashley! Namaste. ~ Devani Paige - 2013 (Yoga for Mom Student)

MORE TESTIMONIALS!

❤  We have been taking our Western Spirit Enrichment Center retreat guests to Ashley's yoga classes for several weeks now. Ashley is extremely knowledgeable about many types of yoga, and also essential oils. She challenges her students to go to the edge, but is quite gentle when required. We love her oil applications and chanting before and during the class. Ashley truly cares for her students' well-being and motivates them to improve their spiritual, physical and emotional health. She is truly an inspiration! We are sad to see her depart for MN for the summer. ~ Garrett L. (Small group yoga class student - Sedona, AZ) 2013

❤  Ashley is such a blessing in the yoga world. She brings a fresh and conscious approach to class with her extensive knowledge and heart. Not only is she a phenomenal yogi, she is an awesome teacher as well. She holds a very safe and honest space for deeper practice to unfold. An inspiration. ~ Nicole W. (Review on Yelp) 2011-2014

❤  I had the pleasure of practicing with Ashley Cruz in Sedona, Arizona in the winter/spring of 2012. Not only is she a well-rounded teacher, well versed in a myriad of yoga styles, she has a true gift of listening to and tuning into students of all levels. In addition, I’ve witnessed her adaptability to various class needs in which she demonstrated her ability to tailor each practice accordingly. Finally, as a true practitioner on an authentic journey, her dedication to the 8 limbs of yoga and full embodiment of the yoga journey is inspiring and infectious. In short, her embodiment of strength, humility, grace and beauty would make her an essential part of a yoga school. ~ Jenn Clemente 2012-2013

❤  In 2012-2013, I was a student of Ashley Cruz of Blessed Yoga; in Sedona, AZ. I regularly attended Ashley's group class at the local yoga studio; and I worked with Ashley via private one-on-one yoga instruction. Ashley's group classes were extremely popular and always filled up the room. Importantly, other yoga teachers often took Ashley classes; which is an indication of her skills, her presence, and the respect she garnered from her peers. In the group class, Ashley displayed the unique ability to be welcoming to beginning students as well as to challenge more experienced students. In one-on-one instruction, Ashley was gentle with me (as I was a beginner at the time,) yet focused on the goal I had of improving my asana practice. In addition, she was knowledgeable in sharing Ayurvedic wisdom with me in regards to my diet and lifestyle to support my overall yoga practice. I had the strong, felt impression that she was deeply committed to my growth. Ashley Cruz would be a blessing to any organizational setting in which she is teaching yoga. ~ Glenn F. 2012-2013 REFERENCE

❤  Ashley, I want to thank you for our session yesterday. I woke up this morning with absolutely no pain in my neck and with a lighter feeling in my chest. I feel as if with more practice, I will truly heal myself. When I walk around town I can't help but hear your words in my head about gratitude for the moments and people in our life.  I literally said thank you out loud while I watched a leaf fall on the ground. I don't think I would have been aware of that leaf falling if I hadn't done yoga with you yesterday. I feel refreshed. I feel so happy. Thank you! ~ Jennifer, Minnesota - 2012 (Public Class)
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❤  This is one experience one will treasure for always! ~ Dawn Turner. - 2012 (Private Class/Ayurveda Consultation Student & My Mom)

❤  I'm being very objective, even though she is my daughter, when I say that the angels smile and the birds sing and the sun shines brighter when my daughter is around... but that's just being objective........of course. ~ Albert Cruz - 2012