ODDlight Teacher Feature: Ashley Platz

What do cooking, communications, and quantum physics have in common? Well, not much. But, they are just a few of the broad variety of subjects which our new teacher, Ashley Platz, is interested in learning – if there's an inspiring polymath teaching them! Of course, game recognizes game; Ashley's own polymathy shows up in East Hollywood on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons in the form of "precision playtime" (TM, Ashley Platz), which includes the inspiration and freedom for the practice to be: playful, challenging, educational, powerful, and layered. Keep scrolling to learn more about your new favorite teacher, your new favorite Peruvian spot, and maybe even a better way to fold and store your mat!

What are your Big 3?

Leo Sun♌, Scorpio Moon♏, Sag Rising♐.

Five words to describe yourself?

Driven. Brave. Giving. Funny. Tough.

What's an ODD fact about you?

Had a boating license before a drivers license

One thing you're working on in your practice right now?

Only moving when my breath changes. Which, for my home practice is great, fine , no problem. Lovely, really. Gets very tricky in a public class. Not moving at class pace, moving at my breath pace is a way I take care of myself though. I've worked long and hard to breathe as slowly as I can, it's a different experience to flow slowly with ones breath.

Where are you when you're not on the mat?

Angel City Soccer Games, Movies, or Walking my dog

What's your fave food or restaurant?

Going out? Cabra Los Angeles - it's Peruvian, Downtown. Or Taking home? Uncle Andre's BBQ in the Valley on Moorpark St.

Something or someone that inspires you?

I am someone who does a lot of different things so, unsurprisingly I am inspired by other polymaths. People who genuinely want to learn are inspiring. Great teachers. Sure yoga, but also in every aspect of life. Someone who is great at teaching. Cooking, communication, quantum physics, anything. Good teachers are inspiring.

What initially inspired you to become a yoga instructor?

I never planned to be a yoga teacher. It just kinda happened. I think I was asking my teachers too many questions and I kept getting the suggestion to "take a teacher training" over and over, well 15yrs later... here we are

Where are you inviting play into your practice/day to day?

Arm balances offer a chance to be whimsical and playful! A little crow pose here and there keeps me playful.

If a student takes home ONE lesson from your class, what do you hope it is?

If you're gonna spend time cleaning your mat after class, - FOLD IT before you roll it. Otherwise you're just rolling the dirty side right onto the clean side.

What song/album/playlist do you have on repeat right now?

Alligator Bites Never Heal - DOECHII

One affirmation you always come back to?

I've got this.

How are you feeling good these days?

Hot Take. I think feeling "GOOD" can sometimes set a bar too high. I prefer to feel calm. TO look for way to find quiet and calm. Peace.

How does your yoga practice inspire your altruism / service off the mat?

I say it at the end of every class but, We have to put the oxygen mask on ourselves first before we can be of service elsewhere. Yoga is breath linked movement. All that oxygen.

Get to know Ashley more by finding her on the class schedule!