Yoga Teacher Chats

In today's episode, Ashley sits down with Ayurvedic practitioner Priya Chandel to explore what it really means to live in and out of balance. Priya shares her journey from the fast-paced world of nightlife and entertainment to a life rooted in Ayurveda, yoga philosophy, and service. Together they discuss the Bhagavad Gita, finding purpose through life's challenges, the importance of daily practice...

In today's bonus episode, Ashley shares a personal update on buying her first home and the unexpected challenges that arrived almost immediately afterward. Through stories of uncertainty, resilience, and a little plumbing chaos, she reflects on what it means to practice yoga beyond the four corners of the mat. She also shares what's happening at the studio this month, including the new Sunday Sang...

In today's episode, Ashley chats with Keri Kugler, leadership mentor and strategist, and host of The Aligned Woman Podcast for a conversation about the lifelong process of becoming. Keri shares how she found yoga after not even enjoying her first classes, why her 200-hour teacher training changed the course of her life, and how the practice continues to shape her work as a leadership and business...

In today's episode, Ashley chats with one of her longtime teachers Sam Rice for a conversation about lineage, curiosity, and what it means to keep evolving in practice. Sam reflects on the teachers and experiences that shaped her, the importance of learning the "scales" before finding your own voice, and the humility of recognizing that there are many ways to approach the practice. Together, they...

In todays episode, Ashley sits down with longtime teacher, educator, and mentor Candace Glass for a heartfelt conversation about finding yoga through life's hardest moments, the courage it takes to truly know ourselves, and the communities we create through kindness. Together, they explore the practice beyond the poses, touching on mindfulness, the Bhagavad Gita, teaching children, creating spaces...

In today's bonus episode, Ashley shares reflections from her ongoing teacher training journey and the unexpected lessons emerging along the way. From studying yoga philosophy for the third time to wrestling with questions of purpose, lineage, and what it means to truly practice, this conversation explores the deeper layers of yoga beyond the postures. Ashley also opens up about a recent realizatio...

What does it mean to devote yourself to a practice—not for a season, but for a lifetime? In today's episode, Ashley sits down with longtime practitioner, teacher, writer, and homesteader Meg Newlin for a conversation about studentship, mentorship, and the transformative power of showing up again and again. Meg shares stories from her early days studying with Christina Sell, Darren Rhodes, and othe...

In today's episode, Ashley chats with Annie Geile, owner of South River Yoga in South County, MO to talk about the winding path that led her from corporate America and chronic illness into the world of yoga, restorative practice, and studio ownership. Annie shares how a life-changing diagnosis shifted her relationship to movement, introduced her to restorative yoga, and ultimately transformed the...

In today's episode, Ashley chats with the endlessly creative and deeply heartfelt Emma Crackel. Emma shares her journey from growing up drawn to yoga, to navigating early motherhood, her son Jude’s leukemia diagnosis, and ultimately finding healing, community, and purpose through the practice and teaching of yoga. They talk about resilience, artistry, philosophy, family yoga, learning to embrace u...

In today's episode of Yoga Teacher Chats, Ashley chats with her teacher, mentor, and friend, Darren Rhodes, owner of Yoga Oasis in Tucson, AZ and mastermind behind the teaching technologies of yogahour®. Together, they explore the roots of practice, the power of community, and the experiences that leave an indelible mark on a life. Darren shares stories from his early introduction to yoga, the evo...

In Today's episode of Yoga Teacher Chats, Ashley chats with Raveen Johnson, yoga teacher, writer, singer, and journaling facilitator based in Houston, Texas. Raveen shares her journey into yoga through community, heartbreak, faith, intuition, and the transformative power of being witnessed. They talk about the studio that shaped her, the impact of immersive community practice, navigating teacher t...

In today's bonus episode, Ashley shares a vulnerable reflection on stepping back into the role of student after beginning a new 500-hour training with a different lineage. From identity shifts and ego to growth, discomfort, and becoming a beginner again, this episode is an honest conversation about what it means to keep learning. Ashley also shares everything happening this month at hOMe Yoga, inc...

In today's episode, Ashley (Simonis) chats with Ashley Ribaudo of St. Louis Ashtanga Yoga (SLAY) and Expansion Therapy. Ashley shares her unconventional path from advertising school to flight attendant to physical therapy assistant to yoga teacher, mentor, and community leader. We talk about how Ashtanga first hooked her, why Mysore-style practice can be one of the most individualized and supporti...

In this episode, Ashley chats with Dr. Carolyn Meister, physical therapist and founder of Expansion Therapy for a conversation that completely redefines what healing can look like. Dr. Carolyn’s work blends fascia release, breathwork, movement analysis, and energetic awareness to help people understand the deeper stories their body is holding. This isn’t just physical therapy, it’s a practice of l...

In this episode, Ashley chats with one of her teachers, Patty Gorder, owner of Namaste Massage & Yoga Studio in Grafton, North Dakota. Patty shares her journey of discovering yoga as a teenager in Tucson, AZ to building a thriving yoga and wellness space in a small, rural community, one that didn’t even know it needed yoga until it arrived. They talk about what it means to follow the path when it...

In this episode, Ashley chats with Shawna Krueger, host of the Leadership in Yoga Podcast , for a real, honest conversation about what it actually looks like to grow into your voice as a yoga teacher. Shawna shares her unconventional path into teaching, from failing her first audition to navigating imposter syndrome, injury, and the pressure to “get it right.” Together, they explore the idea that...

In today's bonus episode, Ashley chats with Emily Hogan for a real, unfiltered conversation about what it actually looks like to build a career as a yoga teacher. From pay structures and class rates to the reality of being a 1099 contractor, this episode pulls back the curtain on the “yoga teacher hustle” and the gap between teacher training and real life. This conversation isn’t here to discourag...

In this episode, Ashley chats with Stephani Jungmeyer, owner of Trailside Yoga and Beyond in Fayetteville, Arkansas, to explore her journey of building and rebuilding a yoga studio rooted in community, resilience, and trust. Stephanie shares the behind-the-scenes reality of opening her studio without loans, relying on friends, family, and a whole lot of DIY spirit to bring her vision to life. What...

In today's episode, Ashley sits down with Jamie for an honest and expansive conversation on what it really means to grow as a yoga teacher. They explore the evolution of practice beyond the mat, from navigating imposter syndrome and stepping away from teaching, to returning with deeper clarity, confidence, and self-trust. Jamie shares how life experiences shaped her understanding of yoga, especial...

In today's episode, Ashley sits down with longtime friend and teacher Lindsay Mooney to talk about the many seasons of a yoga teacher. From the early days of teacher training and studio teaching, to building her own brand, navigating motherhood, and experiencing the profound grief of losing her father, Lindsay shares how her relationship with yoga has evolved through it all. Together they explore...

In today's episode, Ashley chats with teacher Bek Lokey to talk about the journey from dedicated student to teacher. Bek shares how her background in dance eventually led her to yoga, beginning with YouTube practices at home and eventually finding her way into a studio community that changed everything. What started as a personal practice to manage anxiety and reconnect with movement slowly evolve...

In today's bonus episode, Ashley sits down with returning guest Shea Radcliff to talk about an important topic in the yoga world: yoga mats. From slippery beginner mats to high-end favorites, they break down their real-life experiences with some of the most popular brands including Manduka, Liforme, Lululemon, Jade, Prana, Alo, cork mats, and B Mat. They chat about what actually matters when choos...

In today's episode, Ashley chats with THE LEGEND herself, Jenn Jones! Together they explore the journey from an anxious mind to a more aligned life. What began with a simple meditation practice slowly unfolded into teacher training, deep study of the mind, and a path rooted in surrender rather than control. We talk about sensitivity as strength, the role of discipline and digestive fire (on and of...

In todays, Ashley chats with Jamie Fuller to explore her evolution from lifelong athlete to yoga teacher, teacher trainer. Jamie shares how a devastating ski injury, back-to-back pregnancies, and the identity shift of staying home with young children unexpectedly led her back to yoga transforming her life. What began as hot vinyasa for physical recovery became community, connection, and ultimately...

In this bonus solo episode, Ashley shares everything coming up at hOMe Yoga in St. Peter’s, Missouri for the rest of February and into March. From our monthly SEVA supporting Marcy’s Project, to Reiki + Sound, Yoga Nidra, Ayurveda workshops, and a free nervous system workshop with Tim Applebaum, there’s a lot unfolding at the studio. She also shares a little about getting more comfortable behind t...