Big Changes and Pudding Creek

Dear Community -

In the summer of 2018 I spent 5 weeks in the mountains of New Mexico. This time allowed me to live and breathe into the interconnectedness that we all have (and all forget) with the world. I left the mountains not changed exactly but somehow more myself. I found myself longing to live a slower pace, surrounded by trees and sky and yet still able to teach and lead people into their own wisdom, compassion and power. So I set about to make that happen. This year has been a fascinating journey of balancing the trust/faith that is required to move into the unknown of making a dream happen with navigating mundane realities like business planning, PNL statements, and zoning ordinances.

I am opening an intimate retreat center on the coast of California outside of Fort Bragg. It has 25 acres, an apple orchard and a creek - Pudding Creek! The dream is to create a place for refuge, sanctuary, community and connection. Yoga and Buddhist meditation will be offered along with art, music and space for people to reconnect with truth and meaning. There will be a big garden and maybe some chickens for eggs. Refuge at Pudding Creek is born.

What that means and why I am writing now is to let you know that I will be giving up my weekly drop-in classes at Namaste. I am finishing up the Monday and Thursday evening classes on Oct 28 and the weekend classes on Nov 11. This is a big change for all of us - I have been teaching drop-in classes in the East Bay for 20 years! I will miss seeing all of you - the old timers, the regular students and the occasional students. I am hoping that we can stay connected and I will see you again at one of my many upcoming offerings or even at Pudding Creek when we are open for retreats next spring and summer. In the meantime, I will be teaching a benefit class at Namaste on Thanksgiving Day and a daylong at Spirit Rock the day after Thanksgiving. I will also be offering one more Yoga & Dharma Immersion at Namaste starting next February. The Immersion will be a way for us to stay connected and for you to dive deep into yoga, meditation and wisdom teachings.

In the meantime I want to express my gratitude for all of you that have ever practiced with me, to all of you that are my community. I have been so fortunate to have been able to offer yoga and meditation for so many years because of people like you. I continue to be awash in blessings and kindness from the community as I set this dream in motion.

I am looking forward to staying connected with you albeit in a different form and way.

Much Love and Many Blessings, Ashley