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 supportive ways to learn, and how injuries and life experience transformed her relationship with a once-rigid practice.

Ashley also shares what it looked like to step forward when local teachers moved on, carry the torch for the St. Louis Ashtanga community, and build SLAY into the thriving space it is today. From yoga philosophy groups to myofascial release work to mentorship outside traditional systems, Ashley offers a grounded and refreshing perspective on what yoga can become when we allow it to evolve.

This conversation is grounded, expansive, and inspiring for anyone curious about honoring tradition while creating a practice that truly fits real life.

Connect with Ashley on social media: @ashley.ribaudo.yoga @stl.ashtanga and @expanion.therapy

Practice Ashtanga with Ashley: https://www.saintlouisashtangayoga.com/

Ashley offers free discovery sessions for Expansion Therapy (in person and virtually) Find out more here: https://www.expansion-therapy.com/

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ashleysimonisyoga.substack.com

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 learning how to see yourself more clearly.

They talk about how the body stores lived experience, how limiting beliefs can show up as tension or pain, and how becoming aware of your patterns through the way you move, breathe, and exist can open the door to real transformation.

They also explore the vulnerability of being truly seen, the importance of boundaries and energy exchange, and what it means to come back into relationship with your body in a more honest and empowered way.

This conversation is powerful, confronting, and deeply supportive for anyone who is ready to move beyond surface-level healing.

Connect with Dr. Carolyn on Instagram and TikTok at @dr.carolyn.meister and @expansion.therapy

Dr. Carolyn offers free discovery sessions (in-person and virtual). Find out more here: https://www.expansion-therapy.com/

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ashleysimonisyoga.substack.com

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 doesn’t look the way you expected, and how practice, lineage, and community can shape not only your teaching but your life.

This conversation weaves through Patty’s early experiences with yoga, her deep connection to her teachers, and the reality of owning a studio for over 17 years. We explore the role of lineage, the evolution of a practice over time, and what it really looks like to stay devoted, especially when life gets full.

Patty also shares her perspective on the Yoga Alliance, holding space for students, and the importance of continuing to nourish your own practice as a teacher and studio owner.

This episode is a reminder that yoga isn’t just something we do, it’s something we live. And sometimes, it becomes the thread we simply don’t let go of.

Connect with Patty on social media: @pmunoz_q and @nmysnd

Thank you for listening. <3

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ashleysimonisyoga.substack.com

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 your voice is something you refine over time.. not something you have from day one.

They dive into the role of mentorship, the limits of certifications, and why lived experience matters more than credentials. Shauna also opens up about her creative process, from poetry to podcasting, and how expression has become a core part of her practice and teaching.

This conversation is a reminder that teaching yoga isn’t about perfection.. it’s about presence, evolution, and letting yourself be seen.

Connect with Shawna on Instagram and Substack: @shawnakruger

Podcast: Leadership in Yoga

https://www.shawnakru.com/

Thank you for listening. <3

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ashleysimonisyoga.substack.com

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 discourage, it’s here to empower you with the information you need to make informed, aligned decisions on your path. Because yes, it can work… but not by accident.

Whether you’re a new or seasoned teacher, considering teacher training, or curious about turning your passion into a career, this one’s for you.

Connect with Emily on social media: @hogi.the

Connect with Ashley on social media: @ashleysimonisyoga and/or @homeyogamo

Thank you for listening. <3

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ashleysimonisyoga.substack.com

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 started as a grassroots effort became a space filled with genuine love because the community quite literally helped build it.

After 10 years in business, Stephanie faced an unexpected challenge when her building was sold, forcing her to relocate. What followed was a fast-paced, high-stakes transition: finding, purchasing, and renovating a new space without pausing classes. In the midst of uncertainty, she leaned deeply into her yoga practice, learning to release control, trust the process, and step out of her own way.

This conversation is a powerful reminder that yoga isn’t just something we teach. It’s something we live, especially when things don’t go according to plan.

Connect with Stephani on social media: @mamayoga108 and @trailsideyoga

Visit Trailside Yoga's website here: https://www.trailsideyoga.com/

Thank you for listening. <3

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ashleysimonisyoga.substack.com

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, especially the practice of letting go, and how that transformation now informs the way she teaches.

This episode is a reminder that yoga isn’t about having all the answers, it’s about showing up, staying curious, and living the practice in real time.

Connect with Jamie on social media: @jjobe729

Thank you for listening. <3

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ashleysimonisyoga.substack.com

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 the realities of the yoga teacher hustle, the role of community in the practice, and what it means to keep showing up when life changes the path you thought you were on.

This conversation is an honest reflection on practice, identity, and learning to surrender to the unfolding of life.

Connect with Lindsay on social media: @linds.moon

Thank you for listening. <3

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ashleysimonisyoga.substack.com

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 evolved into teacher training, stepping into the front of the room, and finding her own voice as a teacher.

Together, Ashley and Bek talk about the power of in-person teacher training, the importance of remaining a student of the practice, honoring the teachers who shape us, and allowing your teaching to evolve over time.

This conversation is a reminder that the most meaningful teaching often begins with a deep commitment to practice first.

Connect with Bek on social media: @beklokey and @yoga_with_bek

Join her for an arm balance workshop on April 4th from 1-3pm at hOMe Yoga. Register here: https://www.homeyogamo.com/schedule

Thank you for listening. <3

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ashleysimonisyoga.substack.com

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 choosing a mat, from grip, to durability, to thickness, sustainability, and price. They even share how investing in a quality mat can completely change your practice. Whether you're a teacher or a student, this conversation might help you find your next favorite mat (or at least save you from sliding around in Down Dog).

Check out the Let's Talk Yoga Podcast episode 122 with Bmat creator Andrea McKay.

Check out b,halfmoon's website: https://us.bhalfmoon.com/collections/mats

Find us on social media: @ashleysimonisyoga @shearadcliff and @bhalfmoon_official

Register for Shea's Sequencing 101 workshop at hOMe Yoga this Saturday (3/8) from 12-2pm here: https://www.homeyogamo.com/schedule

Thank you for listening. <3

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ashleysimonisyoga.substack.com