YOGA WITH ASHLEY

“I will always remember my first experience with yoga.  I must have been 11 or 12 when I went to visit my aunt in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  During my stay, she took me to a yoga class. I remember being the youngest one there, a child among adults. The space was beautiful, there were bronze statues of dancing gods and goddesses lining the walls, and as I laid out my yoga mat, I imagined it to be like a magic carpet.  Our instructor led us through various postures, encouraging us to ‘feel’ our bodies as we moved.  There was something magical happening in this space.  I couldn’t put my finger on it, but something inside me was changing.  I felt open, clear, peaceful and strong, and as the soft music played in the background, I shed my insecurities, and entered fully into this dance. In the unfolding of this one amazing hour, I could now breathe, something that as an asthmatic child, I was never able to do before.

The ‘magic’ of yoga, awakened a part of me that was asleep.  I carried this spark with me to college, and began studying and practicing yoga in Asheville, North Carolina in 1997.  Through the practices of meditation and asana, I continued to deepen my connection to my body, breath, and even more importantly, my voice.  After struggling with issues of body image, yoga became my internal refuge, where the voices of self-judgment had no place, and where I learned to ‘speak my truth’ through the body.

I was asked to teach a yoga workshop in 1998 for a women’s retreat in Black Mountain, North Carolina.  In looking back, I see the raw love I had for this practice, and how natural it felt to share even those first few gems of knowledge I contained.  Many years have passed since my first teaching experience, yet my love and passion for yoga has not changed.  It continues to serve as a wellspring of inspiration and hope in my life. 

The practice of yoga is so vast, it contains an entire cosmology that can sustain and uplift life.  It is so much larger than just the poses, so much larger than just the mind.

Yoga is the field where the ‘you’ and ‘I’ disappear, and what is left, is simply the essence of all things, love.  I am eternally grateful to all of my teachers, and my teachers’ teachers, for sharing this great gift with me, so that I may too, pass it along. 

Yoga with Ashley News

Just Announced!

Teacher Training Program 2010:
Cultivating the Teacher Within
A Yoga Alliance ® Certified Program at the 200 Hour Level

Presented by:  Ashley Litecky, eRYT200, Lauren Richardson, RYT200, and Claudia Neuman, ERYT500
Hosted at Blue Heron Wellness in Silver Spring, MD

Program begins March 13, 2010 and ends Sept 26, 2010.
Includes a weekend retreat at Gaia Healing Center in Mt. Airy, MD

Cost: $2,999 (early registration)
Regular Cost: $3,100
*payment plans available

In this 7 month certification program, you will cultivate a deeper understanding of yoga, and what it means to be a teacher.  Uncover your own deep talents and gifts, through personal coaching, and several practice teaching sessions at Blue Heron.  After laying your foundation and vision of how you will take yoga into the world, we will begin the rigorous study the yoga texts, postures, anatomy & physiology, alignment & safety, meditation, Sanskrit, breath work, class planning, and the business of yoga.

This program will take place on Saturdays 1-7pm and Sundays from 1 – 6:30 pm, for two weekends a month, at Blue Heron Wellness.  Additional weekly contact hours are required.  These can be achieved through weekly class attendance with the program directors and guest faculty.

 Visit www.blueheronwellness.com for details!

Ashley’s Spring Schedule
March - May, 2010

Upcoming workshops at Blue Heron Wellness:

Stoking the Yogic Fire: Yoga Keys to Developing Core Strength with Ashley Litecky
Dates: Sat   3/27/2010
Time:  1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
In yoga, the seat of the will is housed within our navel center. This 3rd chakra or energetic wheel, known as the manipura chakra, defines our strength of character and how we actively engage in the world. Learn how to stoke your inner fire through the power of breath, navel cleansing exercises, and core strengthening yoga poses. Actively explore the deeper layers of your will through creative visualizations and leave with an empowered view of how to build your future. • Explore your inner desires and dreams and learn how to manifest them • Connect with your breath to activate your inner fire • Practice yoga poses that connect you to your core strength. Open to all levels of experience. Be prepared for a challenge!  Early Registration Fee: $35. Drop in: $40

For more information on Ashley’s hosting studios

Blue Heron Wellness ( Silver Spring, MD)

Yoga Center of Columbia

Washington Sports Club (Silver Spring location)

Tai Sophia Institute (Laurel, MD)