Ashley Cruz

My name is Ashley Cruz. I embrace both Ayurveda and Kriya Yoga's traditional teachings and practices as a universal path to cultivate and realize our full potential. Your practice is your way to reconnect directly with the intimacy that is life. It is a whole body prayer, a celebration of that which beats the heart and moves the breath. My dynamic and inspiring teachers have taught me to live with compassion for my students and to have a sincere regard for their healing. As a catalyst for transformation they have encouraged my own self–empowerment and self–awareness, helping me to love and thrive through life’s many challenges. As a result my attention is focused on interweaving prana with physical alignment, mental wellness and an energetic flow to support a full and complete living sadhana, spiritual practice; within myself and within my students, on and off the mat. I teach and learn based on intelligent intuitive sequencing and applied spiritual wisdom.

My intention in teaching is to hold space for others’ awakening and healing. On a path lit by mentors in sacred wisdom traditions and a community of radically awakening spirit, I bow to my teachers in all forms. There is yoga for everyone. Let me know how I can serve your path.

May all beings flourish and peace prevail on

Om Shanti Shanti Shanti ~ Ashley, RYT 200

My Yoga History:
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 as well as in the International Association of Yoga Therapists. 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 and practicing yoga, meditation and pranayama until 8 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.