In our classes I often mention how important it is to breathe deeply from and through the heart, and to move with breath consciousness. When you practice yoga with love, your attitude shines through the alignment of your asana. A stubborn, wondering, or ego-mind leads to misalignment in your asana and in turn strain in your heart and mind. It is all connected. You know that your breathing is the inhalation and exhalation of air. The organ that serves for this is the lungs that lie around your heart, so that the air passing through them thereby envelops your heart. Thus breathing is a natural way to the heart.

And so, in our next class together, after having collected your mind within you... lead it into the channel of breathing through which air reaches your heart and, together with this inhaled air, force your mind to descend into the heart and to remain there. With practice (Abhysa) during that hour or more of your yoga class, not only will you move into an asana with presence, peace, and love, but you may also develop the ability to remain in that state throughout your daily life too... benefiting not only yourself, but the rest of the world as well.

Om Hrdaya Namaha I bow to the heart consciousness in all.

~ Ashley

"There is one way of breathing that is shameful and constricted. Then, there's another way: a breath of love that takes you all the way to infinity." ~Rumi

Yoga Sutra of the MonthTwo core principles: Practice (abhyasa, 1.13) and non-attachment (vairagya, 1.15) are the two core principles on which the entire system of Yoga rests (1.12). It is through the cultivation of these two that the other practices evolve, by which mastery over the mind field occurs (1.2), and allows the realization of the true Self (1.3).

Abhyasa/Practice: Abhyasa means having an attitude of persistent effort to attain and maintain a state of stable tranquility (1.13). To become well established, this needs to be done for a long time, without a break (1.14). From this stance the deeper practice continues to unfold, going ever deeper towards the direct experience of the eternal core of our being.

Vairagya/Non-attachment: The essential companion is non-attachment (1.15), learning to let go of the many attachments, aversions, fears, and false identities that are clouding the true Self.

They work together: Practice leads you in the right direction, while non-attachment allows you to continue the inner journey without getting sidetracked into the pains and pleasures along the way.

Sedona Hot Yoga & Yoga on the Rocks & in the Parks!

Sedona Hot Yoga: Namaste lovely yogi's. I am now offering two classes at Sedona Hot Yoga every single Friday and Saturday. Thank you so much for mentioning to Jenn that you are interested in more Blessed Yoga Classes! Friday's class begins at 5:30 p.m. and is a spicy vinyasa flow. Saturday's class is at 8:30 a.m. and is a slow flow in which we take our time to work on our alignment and breath work. My updated schedule can be found on the calendar section of this website as well as the Sedona Hot Yoga website. The classes I offer at Sedona Hot Yoga are founded on the principals of Kriya/Vinyasa/Hatha Yoga, where movement is coordinated with breath and intention. Aromatherapy, chanting, bandha work, visualization, chakra work, and pranayama are also often integrated within these flows. Be prepared to chant, move, breathe, dance, and connect to nature and the divine beauty that resides in all of us. I promise you a long and restful savasana for all of your hard work and self love... mmm...

Yoga on the Rocks: The weather is warming up and I am so looking forward to practicing outside in the warm fresh air. I love the sound of the wind in the trees and the view of the sky while in savasana... There's nothing like it and I would love to share that experience with you too. If you happen to notice the weather is beautiful and warm some day soon, feel free to call me to arrange a private or group class! Whether you need a full one or two hour class, or even just a 45 minute flow while on your lunch break; yoga is a great way to escape the desk or your normal routine. Even a 45 minute class over your lunch hour works to de-stress and makes for more productivity and harmony in the work place. Bring a coworker along with you and share the yoga love outside on Sedona's gorgeous red rocks or in her parks among lush green grass. The choice is yours.

❤ A Note from Ashley ❤

Vinyasa is a natural sequence unfolding with creative intelligence - a conscious evolution connecting each moment with unifying breath; a form of moving meditation. Within it, we explore embodying and living yoga in full spectrum - sun to moon, wild to sublime, fullness to simplicity, action and being. There is yoga for everyone. Please let me know how I can serve your path.

You were born with potential.You were born with goodness and trust.You were born with ideals and dreams.You were born with greatness.You were born with wings.You were not meant for crawling, so don't.You have wings.Learn to use them and fly.

~Rumi

Yes... I've said it once... I'll say it again. Rumi is good medicine and I feel that this is a great New Year's poem to take into 2013. What do you think?

I started the day with a simple practice... finally! I feel well enough to hold downward dog, but my nose on the other hand hates it. Being upside down is apparently not that pleasant for my sinuses. Ugh, I don't care. I have missed yoga so much. I'm still a little weak, a little dizzy, a little shaky... but I feel better from my short practice and I'll probably practice again later.

Afterwards, I spent some time making reservations for guests of Voyageur Canoe Outfitters (mine and my honey's other business) and now I am headed off to meet a friend for chai and good conversation. I'm looking forward to this year and my new opportunity to teach at Sedona Hot Yoga. My training starts tomorrow. Training, preparing, preparing, and more preparing. Teaching in a heated class is a little intimidating, but I'm looking forward to the challenge. I usually like to practice with my students as I teach... I'm afraid that will be impossible in a heated class like that... hmm... we'll see. Will I see you in a Blessed Yoga Flow class next week maybe? I hope so. Come prepared! It gets spicy ;)

It's never too late to start a new endeavor... to start something new. And it makes me wonder... What else will I start in 2013?... What will be my purpose moving forward? Not quite sure as of yet... however, I am continuing to be open and willing...

"Let yourself be silently drawn by the strange pull of what you really love. It will not lead you astray."- Rumi

Hope everyone has a great weekend, which has me thinking, I used to live for the weekend. Now, I see the importance of living what I love during the week-- finally after making changes to do what I enjoy. So much better than a race to the finish line... to then feel I can relax and enjoy.

Let’s ask God to help us to self-control: for one who lacks it, lacks His Grace. The undisciplined person doesn’t wrong himself alone–but sets fire to the whole world. Discipline enabled Heaven to be filled with light; discipline enabled the angels to be immaculate and holy… - Rumi Two words have popped into my awareness lately. Discipline and focus. When worked together in synergy, what an unbeatable combination. Miracles can happen. The practice has a way of refining this capacity. Through the rhythm of the sequence, Tristana, puts it all into perspective. Simplicity at it's best. Dristhe, Posture, Breath.

Author's Message

Love is the essence of our life. I have written this blog with love, and I offer it to you, dear reader, with the hope that the suggestions offered here will become a vital part of your self-healing and continued well-being.

I express the wish that we apply the teachings we learn in our everyday lives and thus free ourselves and others from suffering.

I encourage you to keep an open mind. This is often likened to the wonder of a child seeing the world without preconceptions.

As the Zen master Suzuki Roshi put it,

"In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert's there are few."

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What Students of Blessed Yoga Have to Say:

﻿﻿❤ ~ Ana Valinho, Student in Cusco, Peru 2015

"From Aldea Yanapay (great school of love to children), to the incredible homely hostel la boheme, to 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 Ashley ● I have been doing yoga for five years in London, Lisbon and NYC and I was wonderfully surprised by the teacher Ashley at the Yoga Room in Cusco, Peru. 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 in Cusco, Peru 2015