Cooped Up Confession: Ashly Bates
When I think of Ashly Bates, I seriously think of sunshine. There's such a bright light that radiates from within her and that's exactly what makes people drawn to her. I was so excited when she agreed to let us interview her during this super busy time in her life. She's a successful business owner of three Balance Yoga Barre Studios, mother, wife to PBR announcer, Brandon Bates, and all-around encourager of anyone she comes in contact with. So, sit down, grab some coffee and enjoy getting to know Ashly Bates!
Hey Ya'll...My name is Ashly Bates and I am the owner and creator of Balance Yoga Barre.
I would love to share the story of how I found myself through Yoga with all of you.
For my entire life I've had a sense of incompleteness, like there was always a little something missing. I just knew I was destined for a greater calling. This hit me really hard about 5 years ago. I had just married the love of my life and moved from the beautiful state of Utah to Edmond, Oklahoma. I was a single mom for a couple of years before this so I was eager and excited to step into the new role of wife and stay at home mother to my young daughter. I soon found myself again seeking for the "something" more.
I started training very hard at the gym with a personal trainer. She convinced me that I should do a fitness competition. I was driven with undeniable dedication and determination. The very first show I took first place and qualified for a national competition with the best of the best. Months later and countless hours of very strenuous work in and outside of the gym I took the stage with a shredded six-pack. I placed but once again, my soul longed for more. My body and mind had been pushed so hard and I was left exhausted.
Through this process my husband and I had tried to have a baby with no luck. We decided it was time to step up the game. I started to obsess about the next chapter in my life. It was to have a baby with the man I loved. Surely this is what is missing. After several years of negative tests and my body pumped full of hormones we conceived. To say I was happy would be a massive understatement. At our 12 week appointement I piled my mother-in-law, daughter and husband in the car. This was the week we would hear the baby's heart beat and finally see our child. When the doctor let us know there was no heart beat we all cried and I left more empty than when we started the entire process. I was devastated to say the least.
I read online how yoga could help with fertility. That same day I ran across a studio in Oklahoma that was offering a special on a montly package and I knew it was a sign. I started my journey at a beautiful studio called Soul Yoga. At first it was a nice distraction from the pain but quickly transcended into dealing with the pain and loss. For the first time in my life I was learning to live moment to moment. I was hooked with the feeling yoga provided for my Mind, Body and Soul.
Two years later I finsished my 200 hour teaching training with the very enlightened Tiffany Cruikshank. Slowy Yoga taought me "I am enough" there is nothing in this world that could feed my soul more than loving my true self.
Fast forward to present day and three beautiful studios later I strive to show others and myself our greatest strength is self love and love others. Living in the moment is all we need. I am blessed beyond measure to share my love and passion for yoga on a daily basis and show others the enlightenment yoga offers to us all.
I'm also very happy to let you know that I am currently 15 weeks pregnant unplanned and unprepared...
Cooped Up: Could you tell us a little bit about your upbringing, hobbies and how that led you down the path of who you are now?
Ashly: I was born in a small town called Springville, Utah. I grew up camping and playing in the mountains. I love the outdoors. I played many sports and loved to dance. I was always a Free Spirit. You told me to do one thing I would choose the opposite.
Cooped Up: I've heard you describe yourself as a hippy who married a cowboy, could you explain to us how you and Brandon met and how your lives intertwine so beautifully today?
Ashly: I met Brandon while I was working for a modeling agency. On the weekends I would travel from state to state working different events and having the time of my life finding a new adventure in each state I visited. I guess you could say I was lucky enough be booked with the PBR and there Brandon found me and the rest is history.
Cooped Up: Your little lady, Zeyda, is an absolute doll! Can you share with us a little about her and what she's into?
Ashly: Zeyda Mae is my everything! She is a spitting image of me at that age. She is full of love and laughter and always seeking the next adventure like her mommy. Brandon adopted Zeyda at a very young age and they are two peas in a pod.
Cooped Up: What are some the of the best mommy/daughter dates you two have been on?
Ashly: This past spring break, Zeyda and I packed the car and took a road trip to Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Neither of us had ever been there. We spent the week weekend hiking, exploring and soul searching together. It was a weekend I will never forget.
Cooped Up: And you and your little family are expecting a new baby this year, I know this has been blessing worth waiting for. Besides the baby, what are you looking forward to in this pregnancy?
Ashly: Eating junk food, lol!
Cooped Up: What are 3 principles you and Brandon would like to instill in Zeyda and your new baby?
Ashly:
1. Love is always the answer.
2. God will always provide.
3. Move to the beat of your own drum.
Cooped Up: Tell us about Balance Yoga Barre, what's in store for the future with the studios?
Ashly: I own 3 studios now and I plan to keep growing and expanding my passion with others.
Cooped Up: Can you take us through the day-in-the-life of Ashly? From start to finish what does a usual day look like for you?
Ashly: Yoga, Barre and family time..
Cooped Up: What can't you live without from day-to-day?
Ashly: Yoga, prayer/meditation, family.
Cooped Up: Okay, can we get some cowboy's wife wisdom from you?
Ashly: When your cowboy finds his “Yoga” don’t ever try and take away what is good for his soul.. Like fishing for my cowboy.
Make sure to check out one of Ashly's BYB Studios if your local or passing through, you can find more info here!
Lots of love,
Cooped Up Cowboy's Wife- Candace