YOGA WITH ASHLEY

“I will always remember my first experience with yoga.  I must have been 11 or 12 when 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 was opening from a small, tight, insecure child to a being who was able to move and breathe without restriction or apology. I could suddenly take deep breaths, something that as an asthmatic child I was rarely able to do.  I was loosening my spirit and the simple act of breathing deeply opened a new world before me.

This ‘magic’ of breath and movement, 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 and I am so grateful to share this with other people and to provide a sacred space where sometimes a deep breath is all that is needed.

When students ask me what it is about yoga that most enraptures my heart, I smile, and answer, “everything.” 
It is this holistic and inclusive truth of the grandness of yoga that enters into the classroom with me. Even today
I regard my mat as a ‘magic carpet’ and it continues to be the physical reminder of the infinite play and wisdom
that is available within. 

In my life, practicing yoga is the inspiring reminder
that we are all divine beings, perfect exactly as we are,
there is nothing to be fixed, and through our awareness
we can blossom and shine into the radiant beings we were
designed to be. This is why I am so delighted and honored
to share the path of yoga with my students. So that we may
work together to cultivate the seeds of beauty and truth
within, and express ourselves
radiantly for all to behold!

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 and share with with you.

Namaste & Sat Nam.” - Ashley Sky

Yoga with Ashley News

Teacher Training Program 2012:
                       
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

Next program begins in February 2012 and ends in September 2012.
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 foundationand 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/Summer Schedule
May - August 2011

Upcoming Yoga Workshops :

   Summer 2011

Kundalini Yoga Workshop at Blue Heron Wellness,
Silver Spring, MD
Saturday, June 18, 2011 from 1:30 - 3:30 pm

Kundalini yoga is an ancient system of yoga that utilizes repetitive movements and simultaneous breath work and chanting to raise the vibration of the body. Through the practice of a traditional chakra warm-up series and a dynamic Kundalini yoga set you will experience the body’s energetic field.  After a Kundalini practice, most participants will feel lighter, more energized, focused and clear. Cost: $40

Yoga Fundamentals: A Five Week Series at Blue Heron Wellness,
Silver Spring, MD
Monays June 20, 2011 - July 18 from 6:15 PM - 7:15 PM

An interactive class designed for those new to yoga or who would like to revisit the fundamentals. This workshop provides a foundation of basic yoga principles, poses, breath work, alignment and meditation practices. Cost: $75

Yoga -Puncture: Yoga, Acupuncture and Art Retreat at
Saturday, July 30 2011 from 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Take a day off and replenish your body, mind and spirit. During this day-long retreat we will connect to the place where we feel most balanced. Through the practices of yoga, explorations in art/visioning & acu-detox treatments, uncover any patterns that restrict your from acheiving your goals. Your facilitators, Ashley Sky Litecky, M.S. and Devorah Walder, L.Ac will guide you through the process of unraveling habits and behaviors and design new goals and practices to move you forward.
Cost: $85

For more information on Ashley’s hosting studios

Blue Heron Wellness ( Silver Spring, MD)

Lifetime Fitness ( Columbia, MD)

Washington Sports Club (Silver Spring location)

Tai Sophia Institute (Laurel, MD)