Ashley Cottrell

Ash, a best-selling self-published author, is best known as one-half of "The Yoga Couple" with her husband Mat. Together, they co-authored the transformative bestseller "The Inner Work". While Mat delves into the intricacies of the human psyche, Ash channels the timeless essence of Eastern teachings. Their combined insights offer a harmonious blend of yoga's ancient wisdom with the accessible language of psychology, making the profound subject of enlightenment relatable to the contemporary soul. As a child, Ash's autism went undiagnosed, and she grappled with the challenges posed by her parent's substance addictions. Seeking refuge and understanding, she turned to the spiritual realm at the age of 16. It was then that she discovered Hinduism and Jivamukti Yoga. These Eastern philosophies profoundly reshaped her worldview, propelling her on a steadfast journey of self-discovery and healing. Ash's story is one of overcoming adversity through self-awareness, a testament to managing one's mental health with inner work. By her twenties, Ash had enrolled in a year-long intensive at the Stress Relief Management Center of Las Vegas, under the mentorship of Kathleen Santor, LMFT, a marriage and family therapist, becoming a trauma-informed certified yoga teacher by age 21. Her academic pursuits at UNLV in Eastern philosophy and religion complemented her pursuits as a new yoga teacher, as she provided yoga therapy to patients under the guidance of an esteemed OMD. Throughout her journey, Ash has immersed herself in the study and practice of Kriya Yoga through the renowned organization, "The Self-Realization Fellowship," originally founded by Paramahansa Yogananda. She has had the privilege of studying directly under yoga luminaries such as Ted Grand, founder of Moksha Yoga; Annie Carpenter, creator of SmartFlow; and Aileen Epstein Ignadiou of the Iyengar Yoga Center. Moreover, she undertook rigorous study within George Feuerstein's Ph.D.,Traditional Yoga Studies program, benefiting from the profound insights of this respected Indologist. With a burning desire to share the emotional, physical, and spiritual healing of yoga, Ash pioneered its spread in Las Vegas. At 25, she established her first studio with the Modo Hot Yoga franchise and shortly thereafter, opened her second studio, Evolution Yoga. Through her teachings, she has touched countless lives, sharing the promise of transformation and Self-realization. Ash has since taught at some of the most renowned yoga and music festivals, both in the states and internationally. She's also developed her own unique method of Inner Work yoga, culminating into the launch of her own online yoga teacher training program. With a keen emphasis on the 'inner work' and authentic Tantric Kriya Yoga, she continues to inspire and guide many on their spiritual journey. In Ash, readers encounter a rare blend of authentic spiritual grounding and practical wisdom. Her life story serves as a testament to yoga's transformative power, portraying her not as a master, but as a devoted forever student of yoga and the healing arts, making her a relatable guide for those seeking clarity, healing, and purpose in today's world.