Ava Salehi was born and raised in Fairfax, Virginia.  Ava completed her 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training at CorePower Yoga in 2016.  She earned her Bachelor of Music Education from George Mason University in 2009 and her Master of Education from Louisiana State University in 2012.  She is an Orff Certified music teacher and has 7 years experience teaching in the private and public school settings as well as 16 years experience teaching private lessons for piano, guitar and voice.

 

Although the bulk of her training and experience is in teaching music, Ava is a teacher at heart and has simply shifted her focus from teaching music (and primarily children) to teaching yoga (and primarily adults).

 

When she moved to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, for grad school in 2010, Ava literally found “yoga” written on a sign next to a beautiful old building.  She was, more than ever, open to trying new things in this new place.  She enrolled in a discounted first week at Yoga Bliss Baton Rouge and, the first night, coming out of svasana with the light in the room having dimmed naturally by the setting sun, her inner yogi was awakened.  Ava's practice grew steadily and she loved bringing friends along with her to class.

 

Of course, upon moving back to Northern Virginia to start a new career in 2013, Ava began working absurd hours, lost all sense of work-life-balance and also lost her practice along the way.  Her life was consumed by the attempt to meet unrealistic expectations.

 

Ava was developed paralyzing anxiety and depression and resigned from teaching in 2016.  Only then did she return to her mat.

 

Through practicing yoga, Ava rediscovered her inner strength and confidence, she prioritized her needs over the expectations of others, and she reignited her passion for mindful movement and connecting with students of all ages.  She is deeply grateful for the guidance and support of other yogis including Jewels Pena, Cassie Stewart, Meng Wang, Olivia Garza, Diana Williams, David Clawson, Tatianah Suh, and Anna Johns (just to name a few).  Ava now teaches alongside such inspirational instructors at CorePower Yoga, primarily at the Fairfax and Falls Church locations.  She aspires to learn more about Yoga Sculpt and Yin Yoga as she dives deeper into her training and continues to teach 6-10 classes a week.

 

Really, there is no need to “earn” a living.  We already have our lives. 

Our focus, now, should be on living well.

 

Ava hopes that by sharing her yoga knowledge and her passion for community, she can guide yogis of all ages and abilities to prioritize what matters most to them and live their lives to the fullest.