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Yoga gives me the opportunity to connect with others, eye to eye, hand to hand, breath to breath and smile to smile.
Ashely Russell

How did you get into yoga?

I started my yoga journey at Yoga West here in Bristol where I studied Iyengar Yoga. I had recently discovered my body after hating sports at school and had taken up dance classes at the same time. Iyengar was such a weird and geeky adventure into my body, as well as also being my first experience of being comfortable with my body. But the real magic that kept me going back was savasana!

Can you remember your first yoga session?

It is too long ago to remember my first class! But I do remember the sound of the door into the studio and the feel of the hardwood varnished floor. I also remember back in those days doing a whole class with a bandage tied around my head and eyes – to assist with pratyahara.

How has your practice evolved over the years?

I guess it’s a cliché but my yoga practice has become softer and smaller with a pronounced emphasis on strength across a limited range of motion. I have been really flexible over my lifetime, but as I get older, stability is more my friend. I enjoy feeling centred, grounded and strong.

Is there an aspect or practice in yoga that really resonates with you?

The breath is probably key. The ability to zero in on what my breath is actually doing, the act of following my breath, allows me greater control and deeper release. It may sound simple but it’s such a key foundation to our practice. The more sensitive to the breath we become, the more subtle and profound the effect.

Screen Shot 2021-05-10 at 13.10.14.png — “Do everything once and then make a sensible choice about doing it again!”
The quote Ashley lives by

What piece of advice would you give to someone thinking of becoming a yoga teacher?

Know that to be a good teacher you have to be a good ‘practiser’. Without self practice, without experience, without inner wisdom, you will have little to share. Teaching too much can take away your inner spark and become robotic, dishing out template classes. So teach less often to be a better teacher.

What does yoga give you?

Yoga gives me the opportunity to connect with others, eye to eye, hand to hand, breath to breath and smile to smile. We may go on a journey in that connection, we may even have a transformation.

Which yoga related topic is fascinating you at the moment?

Yoga is everything, everything is yoga. We can call it by a different name but yoga is as good as any. Therefore I am fascinated by everything. Right now in particular I am interested in writing and creative expression. Part of my journey, part of my yoga.