We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ashley Anand. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ashley below.
Ashley , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to go back in time and hear the story of how you came up with the name of your brand?
Akira Wellness is a story of duality. In Sanskrit, the language of my ancestors, Akira means ‘graceful strength.’ Years ago, during a conversation with my mom, I told her that if I ever had a daughter, I would name her Akira. Maybe one day I will.
When it came time to name my business, Akira felt like the perfect fit. It’s more than a word—it’s a story. Akira, embodying graceful strength, represents the women who came before me and those who will follow.
I come from generations of incredible women—givers, caretakers, lovers, and, most importantly, healers. They are the essence of grace and strength, and it’s this duality that I want to pass on to future generations.
The women before me didn’t have the same opportunities I do, but I stand here, privileged, with a vision to share with the world. Akira Wellness is a tribute to them—and to all who seek strength in grace and grace in strength to become the best version on themselves.
Through my journey, I’ve learned that true wellness begins with grace for yourself. It takes real strength to offer and show that grace—especially to oneself.
Ashley , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I’m Ashley Anand, founder of Akira Wellness and co-owner of StretchMed Las Vegas. As a 500-hour certified yoga instructor and Ayurvedic Wellness Counselor, I’ve built my career around helping others find balance through holistic well-being. I am a true believer that yoga provides the framework for social change. The practice of yoga is not just about physical postures but also about cultivating a deeper connection with oneself and others. Through the practice of yoga, individuals can develop greater empathy, compassion, and understanding, leading to a more peaceful and harmonious world. Self care is the greatest form of community care one can offer. By taking care of yourself and prioritizing your personal wellness, you are contributing to a healthier society.
In addition to my wellness businesses, I also work as a Financial Analyst for an Engineering Consulting firm, where I am also able to bring my passion for wellness into the corporate space by advocating for workplace well-being. I have been able to step into roles with my company as a Wellness Advocate and have led workshops such as Burnout Prevention, Mindful Moments, and education around the dimensions of wellness.
My personal journey has impacted my offerings immensely. I spent my early 20s working non-stop both professionally and educationally. I am also the eldest daughter of immigrant parents and I am a first generation college graduate. With a Bachelor ‘s Degree in Health Science (an emphasis in Community Health) I quickly identified health and wellness disparities in the United States. Upon completion of my undergraduate degree, I sought out a Master’s Degree in Sport Management.
I spent the bulk of my early career working in collegiate recreation – providing facilities, developing programs and producing events focused on the importance of wellness.
Eventually, it was time to step away from working in Higher Education, but my passion for providing spaces and events for the community continued. My roles across multiple college institutions not only allowed me to emphasize the importance of health and wellness to college-aged students but also enabled me to demonstrate how these initiatives contributed to higher retention and completion rates.
As the founder of Akira Wellness, a yoga instructor and wellness practitioner, I cater to public, private and corporate clients. I host classes, workshops, and events. It took some time to get my business started in Las Vegas after leaving Seattle where I built a network around yoga and wellness outside of the collegiate scene.
After my difficulty settling in as practitioner in Las Vegas and networking with other Holistic Wellness Practitioners in the city, I found a common theme, practitioners of color were seeking community, so I decided it was time to launch Empower + Connect: BIPOC Wellness Collective. I learned early in my career you often have to create the spaces you seek. This endeavor is something I am extremely proud of as it is tough to put yourself out there and create spaces for others not knowing how it will be received by the community – but at the core of it all, providing for the community is what matters.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
Sometimes, life demands a hard reset to remind us of who we are and what truly matters. For over 13 years, I built my career in Higher Education, helping college students weave wellness into their daily lives. My journey spanned three states and five institutions, where I held senior leadership roles in collegiate recreation, wellness, and event management. While the work was deeply rewarding, I poured so much of myself into my career that my own health began to suffer.
It took two additional job changes and over two years of burnout before I could admit to myself that something had to change. The physical symptoms of anxiety and depression were undeniable, and after experiencing the slower pace of life during the pandemic, I knew it was time to prioritize my well-being and pursue a new path.
Despite the narrative I often heard—that pivoting out of Higher Education into the corporate world was nearly impossible—I decided to take a chance. With my experience in event management, I transitioned into a corporate events role. This shift was exactly what I needed to realign my focus and commit to my own wellness again. In this role, I discovered that I wasn’t as small as Higher Education had made me feel. I was capable of creating the life and career I truly wanted, one where my skills could shine in new and impactful ways.
As I adjusted to my new role, I began to rebuild myself and rediscover my passions. Already certified as a 200-hour yoga instructor and an Ayurvedic Wellness Counselor, I felt the call to deepen my practice. This led me to pursue my 300-hour yoga teacher training certification—a decision that reignited my love for wellness and teaching.
For an additional professional challenge, I pivoted once more, this time into my current role as a Financial Analyst for an Engineering Consulting Firm. Over the past 14 months, this role has given me the challenge I thrive on, while also providing opportunities to share my passion for wellness with a larger audience.
Looking back, my years in Higher Education were filled with invaluable lessons, and serving students seeking their purpose remains one of the most rewarding parts of my career. However, if I could go back, I’d tell my younger self this: if you’re going to give so much of yourself—even your health—to something, let it be to your own dreams.
Commit to your dreams. You’re worth it.
Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?
I am the co-owner of StretchMed Las Vegas, a venture in partnership with my husband, Vishal. Although Akira Wellness is something I founded, Vishal is truly just as invested in seeing its growth and development.
I met my husband in 2018. While we both grew up in the Bay Area and our paths seemed to align in many phases of life, it wasn’t until 2018 that we actually crossed paths. From our very first conversation, I knew there was something special about our connection. Through meaningful discussions, it became clear that we were aligned in our values and ambitions, from the kind of relationship we wanted to build to our shared interests in health and wellness, financial freedom, and creating something meaningful for the community.
Fast forward to December 2023: Vishal was laid off from his corporate job. By then, we were married and had settled into a solid routine after finding growth in our respective career paths. His layoff became the catalyst for exploring new opportunities. After weeks of research, Vishal came across StretchMed and proposed the idea of franchising it together.
Our decision became clear during “Discovery Day,” when StretchMed’s corporate team invited us to their headquarters. It was a chance to experience their mission firsthand, meet the team, and learn about their vision and franchising process. As a yoga instructor, I was deeply impressed by how thoughtfully the stretching protocols were curated and how they resonated with my passion for mindful movement. Experiencing the stretches myself, I immediately knew this was something special.
Before heading home, Vishal and I agreed not to share our decision directly with each other. Instead, we each wrote “yes” or “no” on a piece of paper and swapped notes. Sure enough, we were both aligned with a resounding “yes.”
Reflecting on our journey, I’ve come to deeply value our differences. While our shared vision is a foundation of strength, our unique perspectives allow us to make more balanced and strategic decisions. This realization has not only strengthened our business partnership but also enriched our relationship, reminding me that our differences make us better together.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://akirawellness.com
- Instagram: @akirawellness
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aa-anand/
- Other: https://stretchmedstudios.com/stretchmed-las-vegas/
Image Credits
Ivette West, Ivette West Photography