Ashley Balanced Wellness

#Challengeaccepted from @insiyafinn + @tiffanyjogreen my #blisssisters We must remind ourselves that as women, we are all on the same team! When we divined ourselves or compete with each other, we lose. #womensupportingwomen #womenempowerment

Good News! I’m teaching again starting in July and I can’t wait! Join me Wednesday’s at Stretch Collective. Booking is open now for 4 week preregistered series. Space is very limited, only a total of 13 spots for the whole month. See you there!

Tuning in to the "wise guide inside". This morning has been emotionally tough. As I read the stories of someone I used to work with and respect in the Vancouver coffee industry who has turned out to be an abusive and manipulative cafe owner and boss, I feel shook. These stories bring up old drama and trauma and hearing what others have gone through rings echos of my time in the industry almost a decade ago. So I remind myself that I am safe now and to stay in the present. To... feel the wind blow my hair across my face and to time my breath with the rhythms of nature. To self regulate towards peace. I tune into my purpose in life to "help all being live lighter" and ask myself how I can live lighter today. Instantly my shoulders drop. When I open my eyes, I see all the movement around me. The bees and hummingbirds buzzing around, the wind in the trees, and the (although undetectable to the eye) constant growth in the garden bringing new life. Everything changes and grows and, as I interpret it in this moment, seems to move forward. "Change happens through movement and movement heals" - Joseph Pilates @blissarmy #lessdramamorepranyama #yyjyoga #blissedandblessed #upwardspiral #blissarmy #yogateacher #yyjpilates #blissology #pilatesteacher #dowhatyoulove #pilates #ehfar

Good News! Im teaching again starting in July and I cant wait! Join me Wednesdays at Stretch Collective. Booking is open now for 4 week preregistered series. Space is very limited, only a total of 13 spots for the whole month. See you there!

Social distancing and self-isolation are my norms. Ive lived like this for years. Not by choice, of course. My pandemic is my own body and for A LOT of people with disabilities and chronic illness, what you are experiencing right now, the grief, the loneliness, restriction of civil liberties - thats just everyday life. This is exactly how I lived in my worst pain and recovery years, and when everything flares up, its what life returns to. Only leaving the house once per ...Continue reading

We are all in this together! Stay safe out there friends.

4 years ago today I graduated my first teacher training. Today I stood in that same room, of the studio that I now own, and taught a class. You just never know whats in store for you! I took that teacher training during one of the most painful periods in my recovery. I was going through treatments that didnt even let me do yoga sometimes, but my instructor as so incredible and so understanding to let me participate anyways. She taught me so much. More than just yoga. She showed me a future that was still full of fulfillment and joy, even when living with chronic pain. I am so thankful for this journey. #yogateacher #spoonie #blissarmy #upwardspiral

Yesterday I got a reset. Spent time on the beach with sun in my face, climbed through the forest, put my toes in the sand and stayed out until the sunset. Resetting my nervous system the the rhythms of nature is the best way Ive found to manage fibromyalgia. #fibromyalgia #natureappreciation #upwardspiral #blissedandblessed

Its incredible how life can change. Just a few years ago, I was already a yoga teacher and my Physiotherapist at Parkway Physiotherapy said to me if you get your Pilates certificate, we will hire you here. That sentence changed my life. I was in a bad place, constant pain, not able to work a proper job and just trying to make it day to day. I got my Pilates certificate shortly after and taught the pilates program at Parkway for 2 years. I continued to learn and it gave th...e foundation I needed to be able to help others who were going through what I had (and was) going through. Teaching at Parkway lead me to understand just how much I want to help people recover from injury and improve lives of those living with illness. Fast forward and now I am hosting the staff and owners of Parkway at my own studio. I would have never guessed. I am so thankful.

Happy 4 year adopta-versary! I didnt know any being could change me this much. Unconditional love, living in the moment, and companionship are just a few things youve taught me. Looking into your big brown eyes made me go vegan because I could never hurt any creature even half as great as you and listening to you breath helps me sleep when I have painsomnia. My life mission is to help all bring live lighter and thats exactly what youve done for me.

Join me at this awesome event! cant wait!

My happy place. Warm clothes, good company, taking in the slow rhythms of nature.

Our first contest!!! Enter to win passes to our new studio . See you on the mat in September!

Its been over a year. Over a year since I really got clear Since I met my tribe, since I found my guide... Since I started to let go of my own inabilities Since I trusted in my true abilities Since I learned that more love is ultimate goal Since I started to heal and let myself become whole The journey of this last year tuley shocks me to comprehend. So much started at the Blissology YMBM course and so much ended there too. Transformation started when I let these people into my life and heart. Thank you friends!

Pilates has changed my life! It has been a major part of my continued rehab and what I always come back to when things start to go sideways again. Being hypermobile means you need to know exactly how to position and strengthen every part of your body to avoid injury. Pilates truly teaches that and is an amazing compliment to a yoga practice. Think about this course even if its just for your own knowledge, because it will never be this low price again.

Wow. This is surreal. Im am so excited to announce that Dana Carter and I are opening our first location this fall! Follow @stretchcollective to keep an eye on us! This big adventure wouldnt be possible without the love and support of so many. Thank you

Last time I posted a smoothie bowl, it was a little in jest. Because so many people were posting of their travels in Bali, and apparently pretty much all they served there, are these. Ive actually fallen in love with smoothie bowls though. A more enjoyable and mindful way to eat the good stuff with a few treats on top. This time I post this in celebration!! Because in April, I too will get to torment my friend with pictures of smoothie bowls in Bali! So pumped to have booked the trip with @yogafitescape for April 2020!!

Managed to get away for one night this weekend. The camper van makes popping out so quick and easy. Minimal set up, just park, put out a chair and youre camping . Been working hard on some BIG projects that have my brain on overload and my eyes glued to screens so this little time in nature was so refreshing and grounding. Excited for another week of teaching! #yyjyoga #victoriayogateacher #victoriayoga #yyjyoga #blissedandblessed #upwardspiral #blissarmy #yogateacher #chronicillness #spoonie #selflove #yyjpilates #victoriapilatesteacher #dowhatyoulove #fibromyalgia #eds #takecareofyourself #listentoyourbody #spendtimeinnature #natureappreciation

What a beautiful evening! Full Flower Moon blessed us with beauty and vibrance. So thankful to all I have learned from that have enabled me to teach in a way that reflect my spirit, blesses others and lights up my soul. I have the best job! Thank you @blissology @danacarterfitness @phelpslaura and all the others who have inspired me. #yyjyoga #victoriayogateacher #victoriayoga #yyjyoga #blissedandblessed #upwardspiral #blissarmy #yogateacher #spoonie #selflove #yyjpilates #blissology #victoriapilatesteacher #dowhatyoulove #takecareofyourself #listentoyourbody #spendtimeinnature #natureappreciation #fullmoonritual #fullflowermoon

Very excited to see the full moon crew tonight and share what the May Flower Moon has to offer! If you are thinking of coming, but not sure, we just had a couple more spots open up! Send me a message and I will save you a spot! If you are coming, bring your journal and a flower or leaf to add to the nature mandala!

May's schedule for classes at Feel Good Yoga & Pilates, Onyx Yoga & Wellness and Parkway Physiotherapy Victoria / Langford. See you there!

Working from home has its benefits... for everyone #rescuecat #catsofinstagram #ifitfitsisits

TONIGHT!! Join me at @feelgoodyogaandpilates for an night of introspection and finding stillness. Cant wait!! there are a few spots left.

TAKE ME BACK!! . To the waves and the warm breezes. To the mountains and the trees. ... . Besides the beautiful landscapes and the freedom of travel, what I really love is what I get to learn about myself. This trip brought a little relief to my heart. The last few years, travel has been hard. Anytime Ive been outside the comforts of my own bed, my routine and my typical climate, my health has take a nose dive. . On this trip I got a little bit of my adaptability back. The ability to sleep in a strange bed without being destroyed the next day. The ability to make it through a flight without tears of pain. It feels good. It feels really good!

Last nights Full Moon Movement and Meditation Workshop was bliss! Getting to share what I have learned and pass on my healing experience to others brings me great joy. We flowed, journaled, released, manifested future attitudes, hugged and even learned about Manipura Loop (thanks @blissology). We even had about 5 first time meditators. Wow, do I ever wish I learned this stuff right off the bat. Another Full Moon workshop coming March 19th. If you are afraid of the word meditation, because you think it will be hard, this workshop is where you need to be.

This class is happening tonight!! It was almost full so we opened up more spots! If you have been thinking about it, but not sure, now is the time to sign up!

Heading into the @victoriayogaconference today for the second time. Do I look determined? Im learning to make the choice my body really needs and then I enjoy life more. Sometimes it so hard though. I woke up this morning in a major fibro flare. Pushed myself to go to the conference anyways, and after my second class my body was screaming at me. I couldnt take anymore so I went home, had a lunch and a nap. It was a hard choice. It was hard to give up classes I was really lo...oking forward to and paid good money for. I missed two classes that I really wanted to go to, but when I came back refreshed, I was able to be present and enjoy my last class of the day. With this challenge I am learning the value of presence. Its worth it it be really present and enjoy one good class, rather than suffer through 3 but not enjoy or be present for them. In one of my Ayurveda classes today I learned the we can either be in a state of constitution (upward spiral) or destruction (downward spiral) and we can choose which state to be in by being in tune with ourselves and setting intentions. Cant wait to learn more tomorrow! #yyjyoga #victoriayogateacher #victoriayoga #yyjyoga #blissedandblessed #upwardspiral #blissarmy #yogateacher #chronicillness #spoonie #selflove #yyjpilates #victoriapilatesteacher #dowhatyoulove #fibromyalgia #eds #dowhatyoulove #takecareofyourself #listentoyourbody See more

UPDATE: We are cleared to use the floors next week so class is back on at Parkway Physiotherapy Victoria / Langford for February 6!! See you at Pilates!

Hi my lovely students. Sorry if you were hoping to come practice with me tonight for Vinyasa at 5:30 at Feel Good Yoga & Pilates. I have to take the night off to nourish my health! I always encourage you in class to listen to your body, and tonight I have to listen to mine. Hope to see you all on Wednesday for Vinyasa at 10 am or next Monday for Vinyasa at 5:30 again.

Its not just about crunches! Often after and injury, or diagnoses of a chronic illness, bodies change. We move differently, align differently or even respond differently to what would be considered normal function. But we still have an expectation of what our bodys can do (and even what we want them to do!). A big part of what I teach in clinical Pilates is how to listen to your body. Tapping into sensation of deeper muscles activating. Noticing what your mind is thinking.... The importance of breath and the mental and physical challenge of finding your limits and working within them. When you take a class with me, you are also getting an instructor who knows what its like to be on the long, frustrating road to recovery. The mental and emotional battle of injuries and chronic illness are often overlooked and underestimate. BUT I GET IT! Ive been there, and continue to be there. I have been through the darkness of it and can help you through it too. I will offer you a pilates class to challenge your strength and off growth, all with compassion and understanding. #yyjpilates #contrology #pilatesteacher #pilatesmat #mindfulness #yyjyoga #victoriayogateacher #victoriayoga #yyjyoga #blissedandblessed #upwardspiral #blissarmy #yogateacher #chronicillness #spoonie #selflove #yyjpilates #blissology #victoriapilatesteacher #dowhatyoulove #feelgoodyoga #reiki