ASHLE MEYER

What's your superpower? / What do you want it to be?

It would be pretty rad to be able to see into the future! I’ve always been a worrier and I tend to get really far ahead of myself and come up with crazy scenarios and think about all the “what if’s” I am SO grateful to have my yoga practice to help counteract this and help me stay grounded in the now!

How do you express gratitude?

For me, expressing gratitude is all about action. I feel it is really important to let the people in your life, from those you love most to a stranger who holds open a door for you, know that they are valued and appreciated.A simple smile, hug or kind word is sometimes all it takes. I also strive to share that which I am most grateful for­ I am so grateful to have love, support, and joy in my life so I am constantly trying to help those around me find that too. My biggest expression of gratitude is through sharing the yoga practice with others.

Why do you share yoga?

I share yoga because it has transformed my life, and as “On this episode of Oprah” as it may sound, yoga saved my life.When I found the yoga practice I was so disconnected and so hurt and the practice allowed me to reconnect with myself, discover a sense of self worth and find a sense of connectedness to everyone and everything around me. My yoga practice is my space where I can show up just as I am, be ok with what is and partake in the pure joy of moving through the asanas and feeling SO connected to my body, my breath and those around me. Everyone deserves to be happy, connected, open, accepted and free, and I feel so incredibly, indescribably honored to share the transformative power of the yoga practice with others.

What's your favorite pose? Why?

My favorite aspect of the asana practice is flow­ breath and movement dancing together to create an incredible sense of freedom. I get really excited about weaving together standing postures in a way that feels creative and organic. I also really love arm balances because they teach me to not take myself too seriously and that everything will be ok if I fall. I feel a practice is never complete without pigeon because of the complete sense of release and grounding the shape provides.

When was the last time you laughed out loud?

I was walking home from the grocery store and I saw this tiny forest of mushrooms growing on the side of the street and I just stood there, staring at the tiny mushroom forest, and started laughing because it was so beautiful, so unexpected and it made me super happy!

What always makes you smile?

Dogs, hugs, squirrels, walking in the rain,dancing (badly), seeing kindness randomly occur and my yoga practice always put a smile on my face!

What does flow mean to you?

Flow is movement, change and impermanence. Flow is the cyclical nature of life that teaches us to step fully into the joy, tragedy, calm or chaos of the moment and be ok with everything as it is because we know it will continue to transform.

What can our TGY friends expect from your class?

My classes are best described as an ecstatic and creative expression of self through movement. I like to share a well rounded, creative, flowing, heat building vinyasa class that emphasizes honoring your body and moving like yourself while still playing your edge. You can always expect to move, laugh, fall, laugh some more, and sweat with soul when you join in practice!

Ashle completed her 200 hour certification at Laughing Lotus Yoga Center San Francisco with the delightful Jasmine Tarkeshi and Keith Borden in 2011 and has been teaching ever since!