We were lucky to catch up with Tiffany Asha recently and have shared our conversation below.

Tiffany, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s the best advice you ever gave to a client? How did they benefit / what was the result? (Please note this response is for education/entertainment purposes only and shouldn’t be construed as advice for the reader)

2023 was unequivocally the most difficult year of my life. I had an astrology reading at the beginning of the year, and they told me it would be the fall of my family’s patriarchal systems – and boy was it. Every single father figure, including my own father, died within the year. Naturally, as an HSP (highly sensitive person), my yoga classes and events were deeply influenced by this experience, and by grief.

I was teaching a yin yoga class, just a year ago almost to the date of me speaking with you, themed around grief. For those of you who aren’t familiar with yin, within an hour we only have about 6 postures – thus it is as mentally challenging as any physical shape. My guiding question for class was: “What would you need to grieve to believe you had done your best today?” I wrote this question down quickly and effortlessly – at that time I was also a caretaker, this was at the top of my mind every day.

Fast forward just a few weeks ago. A beloved student who had moved cross country returned to the same yin yoga class where I asked this question of them. They shared that the question had prompted their first tears in a yoga class, sparking a journey of self-reflection and acceptance that transformed their approach to self-judgment. They had adopted the practice of asking themselves this question daily, cultivating a profound understanding and acceptance of their best self, which, as I believe, is all we can offer in the fluidity of life’s challenges.

The truth -this experience underscores a crucial insight: our “best” is not a static benchmark but a dynamic state of being, influenced by myriad factors and suffused with grace for our present circumstances. It was a privilege to witness and partake in such a moment of emotional clarity and growth, reminding us of the power of introspective practices in navigating life’s complexities.

Tiffany, 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?

My journey into the realms of yoga, sound healing, and end-of-life doula work began serendipitously in 2005, right after graduating from UT Austin. I was a stressed-out public school teacher and closet smoker, I stumbled upon yoga during Austin’s annual Free Day of Yoga. Invited by the school librarian, a fellow yogi, that first class was nothing short of transformative for me. I quit smoking immediately, radically altered my lifestyle, and embarked on a path that led me to where I am today—a devoted practitioner and teacher of Ashtanga/Hatha yoga lineage, a sound healer, and an end-of-life doula or death doula.

My offerings are as diverse as my journey. In the yoga studio, my classes are heart-centered, encouraging students to explore their bodies through playful sequencing, mindful postures, and a spirit of creativity, all while being reminded of their autonomy. Beyond the mat, I create customized sacred healing environments through sound healing events, utilizing tools like gongs and singing bowls to facilitate profound shifts in energy, grounding, and regulation for my students and clients. My venture into end-of-life doula work is a natural extension of my life’s work, combining yoga, meditation, and sound healing to support individuals and families during the most sacred transitions of life.

Like many, my path has been shaped by personal trials—from navigating the aftermath of sexual assault and PTSD to facing the profound grief of losing loved ones. These experiences have not only deepened my practice but also my empathy and ability to hold space for others, regardless of where they are in their journey. My approach is deeply personal, holistic, and rooted in the conviction that healing ourselves can create ripples that heal our families and communities. I’ve been described as having big Jupiter energy—expansive, optimistic, and always teaching. That’s the essence I bring to my work and interactions.

I take immense pride in the shifts and healing that occur through my work—whether it’s a subtle change in one’s energy or a life-altering realization. My greatest accomplishments are not measured by the scale of an event or the number of attendees but by the depth of connection and transformation experienced by those I guide. Every moment of connection is a testament to the power of this work.

To those who haven’t met me yet, know that my work is an invitation to explore, heal, and transform. It’s an offering of space—both physical and emotional—for you to be authentically you, to process, to grow, and to find peace. My journey from a stressed-out teacher to a space holder for others reflects my belief in the transformative power of yoga, sound healing, and mindful presence. If you’re seeking a shift, a space to heal, or a guide for life’s transitions, I am here to support you. Together, we can navigate the complexities of life, turning challenges into opportunities for growth and transformation.

Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?

In the realm of healing and transformative practices, beyond the foundational pillars of training and knowledge, I believe the key to success lies in the practitioner’s ability to enter a space with personal neutrality. This involves a state of being where one’s personal biases, judgments, and energies are set aside to create a pure, unbiased environment conducive to healing. To be effective, a healer or space holder must cultivate an atmosphere of well-intentioned, clear-headed, and loving presence.

This approach allows us to connect with those we are guiding on a profound level, facilitating a safe and nurturing space where authentic healing and growth can occur. It’s about being fully present, holding space with compassion and empathy, and letting the individual’s needs and experiences guide the process. This kind of presence fosters trust and openness, which are critical for deep, transformative work.

Embodying these qualities ensures that we can be effective conduits for healing, serving as a mirror that reflects back the innate wisdom and potential of those we work with, without our personal stories clouding the interaction. It’s this sacred neutrality, combined with a heartfelt desire to support and uplift, that truly sets apart a practitioner in the fields of yoga, sound healing, and end-of-life care.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

A pivotal moment of resilience in my life was the death of my father—a profound loss that reshaped my understanding of life, death, and my role in the healing arts as a space holder. His declining health and eventual transition were not only a personal crisis but a profound call to deepen my practice and extend my capacity to support others through their most challenging moments. To be exact it was a calling.

During his last days, I found myself drawing upon every aspect of my training and personal experience in yoga, meditation, and sound healing. These practices, which had been my lifeline through my own struggles with PTSD, divorce, and the grief of losing close ones, now became tools of comfort and presence I could offer my father. It was through this experience, supported by the compassionate guidance of an End-of-Life Doula, that I witnessed the profound impact of holding space with intention, love, and respect for someone’s final journey.

This was a deeply transformative period for me, not just in how I dealt with personal loss, but in realizing my calling to support others through similar transitions. My father’s death illuminated the sacredness of the end-of-life process and the importance of approaching it with dignity, care, and a deep respect for the person’s wishes and well-being.
Motivated by this life-altering experience, I embarked on training to become an End-of-Life Doula myself. I saw it as a way to honor my father’s memory and to embody the lessons his passing taught me, and I know to my core this calling was my father’s last gift to me on this earthly plane. This path has allowed me to blend my background in yoga, sound healing, and meditation with the compassionate care needed at life’s end, offering a holistic approach to support individuals and their families during this sacred time.

Becoming an End-of-Life Doula has not only been a journey of professional development but a profound exercise in resilience—transforming personal grief into a source of strength and service. It’s a role that demands the utmost compassion, presence, and neutrality, allowing me to create a space where individuals can navigate their final transition with peace and dignity, on their terms.

This experience, marked by the loss of my father, has reinforced my belief in the power of presence, the importance of ritual, and the profound impact of approaching the end of life with intention and love. It has been an honor to extend this support to others, guiding families through the process of saying goodbye, and ensuring that their loved ones’ final days are lived with as much grace and love as the life that preceded them.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.tiffanyasha.com
• Instagram: yoga_sounds
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tiffanyashatx

Image Credits
Avery Daniel Jonathon Taylor Williamson Nicole DiDaniele