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MY JOURNEY INTO YOGA (union) began in 2003 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. 
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​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.

Love & Light, 
​Ashley Cruz ​– Owner / Founder of YogaWasi & Blessed Yoga
QUALIFICATIONS
  • I began practicing yoga in 2006.  In 2008 I began studying the Yoga Sutras, the Bhagavad Gita and other important yoga texts.   In 2011 I began sharing what I've learned with others via public yoga classes, Ayurvedic Consultations and personal/private yoga classes.
  • In 2005 I began my yoga practice and in 2011 I entered into the ashram of 7 Centers Yoga Arts School in Sedona, AZ for a classically trained, 200 hour Hatha 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 2011, 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 2013 I completed a 300-hour Yoga Therapy Course at 7 Centers Yoga Arts School, which deepened my therapeutic approach to yoga.  In 2013 I registered with Yoga Alliance as a 500 Yoga Teacher
  • Since graduating from 7 Centers Yoga Arts, I've  completed an additional 6-week Ayurveda apprenticeship under Mira Murphy (Ayurveda Chef for 7 Centers Yoga Arts for over 5 years).
  • In 2011 I completed a  300-hour Ayurvedic Healing Course at the American Institute of Vedic Studies under Dr. David Frawley.
  • 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 Academy for the past 8 years).  Sadhana includes waking at 4 a.m. and practicing yoga, meditation and pranayama until 8 a.m for 30 days straight.
  • In 2013 I took 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 learned from her guru and father Pattabhi Jois.  I am forever grateful for my training and for my life changing experiences in India.
  • 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.
  • Extensive experiential knowledge of various styles of yoga: Hatha, Flow, Ashtanga, Restorative, Vinyasa, Anusara, Kriya, Iyengar, Integral, Kundalini and Yoga Nidra.
  • Successful experience facilitating classes, courses and workshops for students from the ages of 3 to 76.
  • Designed and implemented specialized private/group lessons and programs according to individual and group needs, resulting in dedicated and repeat students/clients.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Compassionate, intuitive and non-judgmental teaching style.
  • Well organized, orchestrating a fluid balance between spontaneity, adaptability and compassion.
  • Reliable and committed teacher to students and studios.
  • Extremely dedicated to her yogic path... this dedication has resulted in comments about Ashley that include the words, "inspiring, motivating and loving."
YOGA EDUCATION
  • 2003: And now yoga
  • B.A. English Literature - University of Tennessee
  • 2011: 200 hours - 7 Centers Yoga Arts Academy  - 200 hour Hatha teacher training certification
  • 2012: 100 hours - 30 Day Sadhana at 7 Centers Yoga
  • 2012: 50 hours - Chakra Yoga Intensive at 7 Centers Yoga Arts Academy
  • 2012: 50 hours - Conflict Resolution training at 7 Centers Yoga Arts Academy
  • 2012: 200 hours - Ayurveda Apprenticeship with Mira Murphy; Ayurveda Chef at 7 Centers Yoga Arts Academy
  • 2012: 100 hours - 30 Day Sadhana at 7 Centers Yoga
  • 2012: 100 hours - 30 Day Sadhana at 7 Centers Yoga
  • 2013: 100 hours - 30 Day Sadhana at 7 Centers Yoga
  • 2013: 10 Day - Vipassana Meditation Course
  • 2013: A+ in an Anatomy & Physiology Course at the University of  Tennessee - Knoxville
  • 2013: 25 hours - Medicinal Aromatherapy Certification Level 1
  • 2013: 100 hours - 30 Day Sadhana at 7 Centers Yoga
  • 2013: 50 hours - Ayurveda study under Dr. David Frawley; resulting in certification as an Ayurvedic Lifestyle Consultant
  • 2013: 300 hours - Yoga Therapy Teacher Training
  • 2014: 100 hours - 30 Day Sadhana at 7 Centers Yoga
  • 2014: 10 Day - Vipassana Meditation Course
  • 2015: 30 Day - Sri K. Pattabhi Jois Ashtanga Institute in Mysore, India.
  • 2016: Experienced 500 Hour Yoga Teacher registration.
  • 2017: A+ ​in Contemporary & Alternative Medicine Course at the University of Texas - Austin
  • 2017: YogaWasi Founder - Studio in Peru
  • 2018: Became pregnant with my first child
  • 2018: Sold YogaWasi - Moved to London
EMPLOYMENT
Founded Blessed Yoga by Ashley
2011 - PRESENT 
  • Three+ private classes each week
  • Three+ private group class each week
  • One+ public group class each week
  • Multiple yoga therapy clients

Freelance Vinyasa Yoga Instructor
2011 - 2017
  • Blessed Yoga
  • Sedona Hot Yoga
  • 7 Center Yoga Arts Academy
  • Western Spirit Enrichment Center
  • Voyageur Canoe Outfitters
  • Yogisthaan - Bangalore, India
  • The Healing House - Cusco, Peru
  • Yoga Room Cusco - Cusco, Peru
  • Inhala Hostal - Cusco, Peru
  • Samadhi - Sacred Valley, Peru
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Founded & Owned YogaWasi  in Cusco, Peru
August 2017 - August 2018
  • Offered at least 4 classes day
  • Taught up to 10 classes a week
  • Led beginner workshops
  • Often led yoga hikes to private clients
  • Offered a variety of styles of yoga classes to students & adapted the classes to their desires & ability.
  • Personally created the wave of a class through cycles of effective and creative sequences linked together through the breath.  Every class is well-rounded : following the mandala of the body and asanas - to create whole body transformation of strength and fluidity, circulation and centering.  My empathic style and depth of experience, along with a relaxed and grounded presence, allow for deeper, more intuitive exploration of the yoga asanas.
  • Customizes meditation and yoga therapy sessions according to students' personal profile and their physical and psychological needs.  
  • Able to successfully and organically create yoga flows based on the classes mixed experience levels.
  • Able to walk around around and offer adjustments while also leading the class.
  • Promotes balance of the body, mind and breath through effective sequencing, teaching, and demonstrations.
  • Naturally able to ensure proper use of props including chairs, blocks and straps while still leaving the student feeling powered.
  • Demonstrates techniques and methods of self-assists to students; informing them of corrective measures or alternative options necessary to improve their alignment (energetically and physically).
  • Maintains positive relationships with students to encourage continued class attendance.
  • Freely provides health and wellness information to students.
  • Owned and successfully operatesd a yoga studio in Cusco, Peru.
  • Managed 12+ yoga teachers for YogaWasi - Ashley's Yoga Studio
  • Sold the 1-year old YogaWasi studio for a profit.
REFERENCES
Any of my previous employers & students would be happy to provide you with references.  Please feel free to contact me for their most current email addresses. In the meantime, please feel free to review my students testimonials or reviews for YogaWasi on Facebook, Google, TripAdvisor, etc.​
OTHER EDUCATION
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The University of Tennessee Knoxville, TN
Bachelor of Arts, English (Literature) 
GPA: 4.26                                                            May 2005
OTHER EMPLOYMENT
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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
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