If there is one thing 2020 has taught us, it's constant change. We'd all be lying if we said anything about this year has been easy. It's been a constant barrage of ups and downs compounded by a global pandemic, an economic downturn, and here in the U.S. one of the most polarized and racially charged political situations in the history of our nation. Put plain and simple, it's been a shit show. 

We've collectively been forced to look in the mirror. Some of us have taken this gracefully and allowed for shift to occur while trying our hardest to stay grounded. Some of us have tried desperately to cling to what we thought was normal and thus spun out. The amount of hostility that has grown out of fear, seeded and sown by society have only continued to create chaos. We've been pitted against one another for far too long and pointed the finger at the "other" side so often that we've forgotten that at the root of all things we have to come together to survive. 

Yoga means to unify, to create connection, to create harmony. Scarcity breeds chaos and distrust. We are in such a rabid state of scarcity right now that we're pulling away at the very seams of our yoga practice. This can be seen every where right now. So many studios fighting over students, in hopes to stay afloat through this economic downturn and health crisis. It can also be seen in each of our inabilities to commit to making it to our mat daily. Your practice doesn't expect you to show up perfect, it just asks that you show up. Maybe that's to work the rage out of your body with a firey, heated, vinyasa flow....Maybe that's lying on the floor in savasana and crying for an hour... Either way it's you listening to your body and working through the energy held in your tissues. 

There have been some very strong conversations that have come out of this time of grief and pause. So many great conversations addressing the need for greater diversity in our yoga communities. When we really honestly practice yoga, we're practicing union. Uniting a diverse loving community that supports each other and doesn't get stuck in scarcity mindset is the only way our studios and teaching practices are going to survive this upheaval. Let the ego slide, celebrate each other's successes, carry one another through. 

I recently posted the following on my social media and it's become the prompt for this blog post...

"Taking a moment to be truly honest and vulnerable right now....

Being a full time yoga instructor is by no means an easy career choice, it's an enormous amount of work with often little financial return...the return comes when a student tells you how much a practice impacted them personally...

These last few months, not being able to teach in person have been really rough. Not being in space with others has taken a toll on my mental health. Not teaching multiple times a week has taken a toll on my physical health. Having to pivot my business completely online has taken a toll on my financial health.

I sadly don't foresee being able to teach in person classes prior to next year. I no longer have a space to teach in Carmi, due to water damage to the floors at the church. I haven't been asked back to the studio I taught at in Evansville, due to them not being back to full capacity yet.

If my business/career is going to survey it's going to take a commitment from those of you who have been impacted personally by my teaching. Please consider taking an online class. I know it feels weird to not be in a studio. I know it's hard to do in a house full of other people. I know it's hard to carve out space in your home. It's hard to teach in these conditions too, but it's about adapting. If 2020 has taught us anything it's that we have to adapt and shift and change with the times at hand."

We need community now more than ever.... We need deep honest yoga practice now more than ever... We need to come together and show up in every way we can now more than ever...

With great love to you all ~Ash

 I invite you to join us on Zoom for 3 weekly yoga classes. Find the details in this weeks email newsletter HERE ​

Dearest Yogis, 

Like many other studios we've had to make the decision to keep you and ourselves healthy by cancelling in person classes for the time being. We as a society need yoga and meditation more than ever right now as we delve into the uncertain future. Ash and Nora will be offering lots of free classes online to help get you all through. We do ask that you donate if you can to help keep us afloat as teaching is our livelihood. The front page of this web page has payment options listed or you can always reach out to us via text or phone call. Much love! 

​Wild Thing

Connection2020Women's Winter Yoga Retreat- New Harmony IN
Delve into the art of CONNECTION during this weekend women's retreat in peaceful New Harmony, IN. February 21st- 23rd Our instructors, Ashley, Stephanie, Nina, & Rebecca will lead you on a journey to deeper CONNECTION through your authentic self & into a greater sisterhood within a loving community.

Price Includes,Two nights at The Barn Abby in New Harmony, Yoga Practices, Meditations, Breakout Sessions, Ayurvedic Meals (prepared by Ashley ), & Introduction to Ayurvedic Cooking$250 Payment plans are available if needed (contact us for more information)

Visit ​StephanieMcCandles.com for more information and to register

A new year, a new decade, many new possibilities...

Those who follow me on Instagram at GoddessYogiAsh, and Facebook at Wild Thing Yoga & Boutique got a sneak peek at the video series that has been a long time coming. January 1, 2020 marked the beginning of a new journey for me, the beginning of something that many of you have asked for, waited for, and longed for... Meditation led by me via video. 

I'm still working out the kinks on how to make this new adventure work on multiple media platforms. Learning things like the fact that Instagram only uploads the first 60 seconds of a video and that Youtube takes an hour to upload a 13 minute video from my iPhone. I also have to figure out how to post the videos here to the website still. It's happening though folks, no matter how slowly. 2020 is the year for this next level to finally occur. 

We often forget the point of the Holiday Season by over committing ourselves to what society has deemed "the right way" to celebrate. We lose sight of our self-care and turn into Grinches. I found myself feeling Grinchiness already set in and it's not even Thanksgiving. Right there in the name of the holiday is the point of this time of year, Thanks and Giving. It really couldn't be anymore simple, anymore obvious... 

So in honor of honoring myself and you, of giving thanks to those around me who have given me so much, I've decided to host a Holiday Open House on Dec 21st. Below are the details, don't forget to RSVP to taking time to be joyous and chill. 

e Hi All!

​As the season shifts and changes present themselves, we find ourselves adjusting. Due to many factors the schedule and pricing here at Wild Thing has to change. Things will continue to shift as things continue to develop over time. Thank you for your continued support, your commitment to this studio and your own well being, and for helping build this blossoming community of yogis. These changes go into effect on Monday April 8th. Here's the new schedule and pricing: