Ashly Sommer is a personal trainer, holistic nutrition coach, mom, and valuable member of the Saraswati’s Yoga Joint teaching community. Her classes feature great music and will challenge you in all the right ways, while also offering moments of reflection and peace.

Read on to learn more about Ashly, what’s inspiring her lately, and her reflections on the SYJ community.

 

Name: Ashly Sommer
Years Teaching Yoga: 9
Other Trainings or Services You Offer: Certified Personal Trainer & Holistic Nutrition Coach

 

If you could describe your teaching style in three words, which would you choose?

Thoughtful, fun, and balanced.

 

What do hope students will take away from your classes?

I hope they walk away feeling more connected to themselves and a little better in their body.

 

When you think back on your personal yoga journey, what is one standout way it has changed your life?

Yoga has shaped me in so many ways. Learning the confidence to listen to my intuition and trusting my heart’s desires is what stands out most.

 

What’s a quote, poem, or personal mantra that’s resonating with you right now?

Having a gratitude practice is a core part of my daily life. It boils down to the saying, “it’s not happy people who are grateful, it’s grateful people who are happy.”

 

When you’re not teaching at SYJ, what can we find you doing?

Playing with my kids and doing outdoor activities as a family. I also try and spend as much time as I can enjoying the company of my two dogs. The only thing better than having a dog is being lucky enough to have two!

Is there a song you’ve had on repeat lately?

It’s hard to identify a single song. I keep a lot of tunes in rotation. But Happiness Jones by The Wood Brothers has been my go-to for the past few weeks.

 

What does the SYJ community mean to you?

It’s a gift to have a weekly opportunity to be in the company of mindful people who prioritize their practice.

 

If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would it be?

Thats easy — Byron Bay, Australia!

 

What’s one beautiful thing that happened to you during the COVID-19 pandemic?

With the chance to have only each other as playmates, the opportunity to watch the bond between my children grow has been the most beautiful to come from the shutdown/pandemic.

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Deepen your practice

• Find Ashly teaching on Mondays at 6 p.m. EST in-studio and online.
• Take a class in the SYJ Virtual Studio.
• Listen to Ashly’s yoga playlists on Spotify.