Ashley Ann Jones
I have been dancing since I was two years old. I trained at Debbie’s Dance Dimensions and The Dance Connection in ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, and acrobatics. In 2009, I graduated from Missouri State University, with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Performance, where I discovered my passion for modern dance, contact improvisation, and choreography. At MSU, I studied various dance techniques such as Graham, Limon, and Cunningham. I was employed at Credo Dance Academy in Springfield, MO for 6 years, where I taught tap, jazz, musical theatre, and modern dance classes to students of all ages. I was a company dancer in the dance companies: The Rogue Dancers, wandering movers, Pink Pig Ballet (now American Liberty Ballet), The Kennedy Dancers, and Aries in Flight. I was selected for the Alvin Ailey Summer Intensive in 2009, Steve Rooks' Summer Intensive, and have taken many workshops with renowned dancers such as, Deidre Goodwin, Michelle Potterf, Shirley Russon Ririe, Robert Wechsler, David Parson’s Dance Company, and Momix.
Along with dancing I also have a love for musical theatre and acting, in both film and the theatre. Some of my performance credits include: Doubt, Pippin, Mary Poppins, Moving Beyond, Spring Forward, Cosmic Christmas, A Chorus Line, Noises Off!, Cats, Hairspray, A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum where I was featured in the role of Panacea and was named co—choreographer. In addition, I have choreographed dance pieces such as Folia in Ventum, Condemned, Silent No Longer, Restored, Nations, Creatures, and Shades of Grey.
In 2014, I became a certified 200-hr Yoga Instructor from Three Sisters Yoga. I first came to yoga because it was the first time I had ever actually felt like I had completely warmed up my body before dancing. I loved the feeling and the sense of calm it gave me. Since then, due to strenuous rehearsals, I was prone to minor injuries and yoga helped me recover and prevent injuries from occurring again. As a teacher, I feel that it is very important not to rush through each pose, build strength and flexibility, and find the breath and peace in each pose. I love working with my clients and figuring out how to best make each pose work for their body, rather than forcing the body into the pose. Each body moves differently and has different limitations; it is not a “one size fits all” practice.
Currently, I am a resident of New York City and I continue to perform and teach. I teach Yoga classes in Brooklyn and still continue my education in yoga practices and anatomy. I have received my Pre/Post-natal Yoga Certification from Maha Mama in Chelsea, completed my 300-hr Yoga Teacher Certification from Yoga Vida in NoHo, and my Baby Yoga & Developmental Movement Certification from Karma Kids Yoga in Manhattan. I am currently performing and choreographing productions with the Rockaway Theatre Company.
