Yoga Brings Balance To This School And Yoga Teacher’s Life.
“Having the Gecko Touch inspires me to practice daily.”
(Read time approx. 1 min. 30 secs.)The journey of yoga has its ups and downs and maintaining a consistent practice isn’t always easy. For Ashley, an English and yoga teacher from Nashville, her Gecko Touch towel motivates her to practice every day. She was first introduced to the towel in 2018 while attending a teacher training program led by Sonia Sumar, founder of Yoga for the Special Child. “Sonia suggested that I try the towel after she noticed me using a blanket that I used to keep me from sliding on the mat. I tried the Gecko Touch and wanted to buy one right away,” says Ashley.
Ashley started practicing meditation in 2014. In 2015 she made it a goal for herself to practice yoga and meditation daily and has been dedicated to her practice ever since. She maintains a self-practice in her own home and occasionally drops in to community based yoga classes. She finds that yoga brings balance to her life. “Working in a school environment can be stressful, managing behavior, lesson planning, constant evaluations, etc,” says Ashley. “Teaching yoga has the opposite effect on me. My goals are to teach English and incorporate my yoga practice into my teaching as much as I can.”
When Ashley isn’t busy teaching, she enjoys reading, traveling, and making new friends. The Gecko Touch towel has become a part of her travel essentials. “It is important for me to have the towel because I travel a lot and love having it because it is easy to fold and carry with me wherever I go. I like the look and feel of it,” she says. “Having the Gecko Touch inspires me to practice daily.”
“I love the double-sided silicone that grips you as well as the mat. I have sweaty hands and feet so having the double-sided silicone keeps me from moving and sliding when I am practicing. Overall my asana practice has improved.”
What is your favorite book on inspiration or yoga?
I have a few that have inspired me. The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle, The Alchemist by Paulo Coehlo, Opening to Spirit by Caroline Arewa, The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz and The Art of Happiness by the Dalai Lama. (See link below Oprah Winfrey’s interview with Eckhart Tolle)
Where would your ideal place be to practice yoga?
I really love community-based yoga classes. I like to experience the connection with other people. I also love to practice at home in my studio apartment.
What would be your favorite piece of music to practice yoga to?
I don’t usually play music when I am practicing, if I do, it is usually light instrumental or flute music.
Useful Links
Ashley Love
shaktilovewellness.com
Yoga for the Special Child
specialyoga.com
The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Power_of_Now
amazon.com/Power-Now-Guide-Spiritual-Enlightenment-ebook/dp/B002361MLA
eckharttolle.com/power-of-now-excerpt
Eckhart Tolle
eckharttolle.com
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eckhart_Tolle
youtube.com/channel/UCj9fPezLH1HUh7mSo-tB1Mg
The Alchemist by Paulo Coehlo
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Alchemist_(novel)
amazon.com/Alchemist-Paulo-Coelho/dp/0061122416
Paulo Coehlo
paulocoelhoblog.com/2015/12/15/10-powerful-life-lessons-from-the-alchemist
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paulo_Coelho
biography.com/writer/paulo-coelho
Opening to Spirit by Caroline Arewa
amazon.com/Opening-Spirit-Contacting-Honouring-Spirituality/dp/0722537263
Caroline Arewa
energy4lifecoach.com
youtube.com/watch?v=vMVcIrJ9_VE
The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz
thefouragreements.com
amazon.com/Four-Agreements-Practical-Personal-Freedom/dp/1878424319
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Four_Agreements
psychologytoday.com/us/blog/cui-bono/201012/agreeing-the-four-agreements
Don Miguel Ruiz
miguelruiz.com
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Miguel_Ruiz
The Art of Happiness by the Dalai Lama
amazon.com/gp/product/1594488894/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i1
Dalai Lama
dalailama.com
youtube.com/user/gyalwarinpoche/videos
beliefnet.com/faiths/buddhism/be-happy-the-dalai-lama-way.aspx
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Art_of_Happiness
amazon.com/Dalai-Lama/e/B000AQ027U?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1574688407&sr=8-1
Oprah Winfrey
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oprah_Winfrey
oprah.com
brainyquote.com/authors/oprah-winfrey-quotes