Hi, I’m Samantha Ashleigh!
My journey with yoga began in 2017 after taking my first hot yoga class at Kula Yoga, and I quickly discovered a profound passion for the practice. My love for movement, however, started long before that. Growing up, I trained at the Academy of Dance at Stetson University, specializing in lyrical, jazz, and ballet. From the age of three through my college years, I immersed myself in dance, performing as part of various dance teams. This strong foundation in movement and discipline naturally led me to yoga, where I found not only physical expression but also emotional and spiritual healing.
While I practiced yoga intermittently over the years, it wasn’t until I began to experience its transformative effects, physically, mentally, and spiritually, that my practice became a consistent and essential part of my life. In 2018, I became a Dynamic Yoga Barre Certified Instructor, and by 2019, I had earned my 200-hour RYT certification. Since then, I’ve continued to grow as a teacher, adding certifications in Yin Yoga and Sober Curious Yoga to my repertoire.
On July 28, 2022, I began a life-changing journey of sobriety, removing alcohol from my life and discovering profound healing and growth. This transformation inspired me to bring Sober Curious Yoga to my community. The class embraces the teachings of yoga to support individuals in their sober or sober curious journey with alcohol and addiction. Just as yoga has profoundly impacted my own life, helping others on their path to sobriety has become one of my greatest passions.
One of my favorite classes to teach is hot vinyasa flow, a dynamic and invigorating practice that blends breath with movement, creating a powerful and meditative flow. In all my classes, I aim to inspire and energize my students through creative sequencing, a playful spirit, and thoughtful encouragement, helping them deepen their practice and reconnect with themselves. My hope is that my students step off the mat feeling refreshed, balanced, and empowered, ready to carry that sense of strength and serenity into their lives.
The year 2024 was truly transformative for me. After 5 years of teaching and deepening my own practice, I proudly earned my 300-hour yoga certification. I also had the incredible opportunity to co-host my first yoga and Pilates retreat, an experience that ignited my passion for creating spaces where others can heal and grow. Additionally, I became a certified sound healer, a journey inspired by my own profound experiences with the restorative power of sound therapy.
This year also marked a deep dive into breathwork, meditation, and manifestation practices, which have become essential components of my personal and professional growth. I’m excited to continue expanding my knowledge and skills through future certifications, so I can share these transformative tools with others in meaningful and impactful ways.
Looking ahead, I’m excited to continue hosting retreats, workshops, and classes that support others on their healing journeys. I am endlessly grateful for the wisdom and guidance my teachers have shared with me and remain dedicated to being a lifelong student of this beautiful practice.
Certifications:
- 300-hour RYT – Yogamu, LLC (2024)
- Certified Sound Healer – Life Changing Energy (2024)
- 30-hour Sober Curious Yoga Teacher Training – The Mindful Life Practice (2022)
- 20-hour Yin Yoga Certification – My Vinyasa Practice, Texas, USA (2021)
- 200-hour RYT – Kula Yoga Studio, Florida, USA (2019)
- 15-hour Dynamic Barre Yoga Certification – Kelli Durrance (2018)