Athletic August: Wanderlust Yoga Studio
In honor of the Olympics, we’re putting a spotlight on local gyms, studios and fitness centers, highlighting all they do for their communities.
After attending the Wanderlust Yoga Festival in Squaw Valley, California in 2010, Ashley Spence Clauer knew that opening a yoga studio was her calling.
Wanderlust has studios across the U.S., and Ashley opened Wanderlust Yoga Austin in April 2012. Since then, the studio has grown and continues to give back to the Austin community.
Ashley has been teaching yoga for six years and practicing for 10 years. She sat down with us to share some of her yoga wisdom, why Wanderlust Yoga is a great fit for Austin and what she loves about this calming exercise.
Tell us about the studio.
“I attended my first Wanderlust Festival in Squaw Valley [, California] in 2010 and left there knowing I needed to teach yoga for a living and open a yoga studio. I was so inspired by my experience that I wanted to figure out how to bring all of the elements from the festival to the daily lives of those who live and work in Austin. Shortly after that festival, I had the opportunity to meet with the creators of Wanderlust Festival and was able to open the very first Wanderlust Yoga Studio.
“We opened our doors in April of 2012, and have only continued to grow. We infuse classes with live musicians, provide outdoor rooftop yoga classes next door at Brazos Hall, offer Yostrong classes with weights, meditation classes, teacher trainings and workshops, and bring people together, not just for yoga but for the community events as well. We are always getting involved with the community to give back.”
What’s your favorite thing about yoga?
“While there are many physical benefits of yoga practice that I love, my favorite thing about yoga is the clarity, sense of peace and calmness that I gain. Practicing yoga gives me the inner strength, peace and perseverance to get through the most difficult situations life and has given me tools to cope and overcome anxiety and fear.”
What’s your favorite thing about Wanderlust Yoga, specifically this studio?
“The community! The teachers, the students, the people who work at the front desk. We have become one big family and I couldn’t be more grateful for that.”
What have you found is the best way to get new customers or people new to yoga?
“Our new student special for Austin residents is an amazing opportunity for new clients to get a feel for the wide range of offerings we have here. Every teacher is unique and class offering is unique, and we offer yoga basics class every day of the week which is not only for beginners, but it is a foundational class that people who have been practicing their whole lives could still get tremendous benefit from.”
Why do you think Wanderlust works well in the Austin community?
“Austin is a very mindful, health-conscious city that not only embraces the active lifestyle, but it is the live music capital of the world. We are so blessed to live in the greatest city in the country and have tried to combine all of the things that we love about Austin under one roof!”
Can you tell us about the Wanderlust Festivals?
“Wanderlust Festivals are the largest yoga lifestyle events in the world. They gather together yoga enthusiasts, families, foodies and mindful adventurers for a life-changing, unforgettable four-day celebration. Attendees can practice yoga from renowned instructors, take in music from today’s artists, enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, paddle-boarding, biking, and indulge in organic delicacies.”
Do you think people need a certain skill set to do yoga?
“Be able to show up, breathe, work hard, have an open mind, and let go.”
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