The Yoga Couple
Our Story
Mat & Ash are best known as The Yoga Couple to their 1M+ online community. As Spiritual Self-Help Bestselling authors of The Inner Work, The Inner Work of Relationships, hosts of The Inner Work podcast ,they have made it their mission to bridge the gap between Western Psychology and Eastern Philosophy, especially when it comes to navigating relationships and healing our inner child wounds. The basis of their teachings, The Inner Work, focuses on understanding the varying levels of human consciousness and the power to self-heal relationship issues, addictions, inner child wounds, and unresolved trauma. Mat and Ash boldly give a voice to taboo topics concerning the cross over between mental health and spirituality. Their fresh outlook on dealing with human emotions is down to earth and accessible for all.
Mat, co-creator of the celebrated "The Yoga Couple" with his wife Ash, exemplifies a transformative journey from personal challenges to profound spiritual liberation.
Even in his early years, Mat showcased a prodigious intellect and a proclivity for the healing professions. Accelerating his academic pursuits, he graduated early from high school at 15, rapidly setting his sights on the medical realm. By 20, he had completed his medical prerequisites, earning a bachelor's degree in Psychology. His insatiable curiosity about the human psyche led him to working for a year in inpatient psychiatry at a distinguished Utah hospital before enrolling in naturopathic medical school in Arizona.
Subsequently, during his time in medical school, destiny introduced him to three individuals who would redefine his life's direction: a Yogi, a former Buddhist monk, and a devout Hindu. Their influence unveiled the profound depths of Eastern philosophies, particularly mindfulness and Self-Realization.
While the holistic wisdom of naturopathic medicine was undeniable, Mat felt an inner calling to delve deeper into the realms of consciousness and power of the mind. Enrolling in a master's program in Santa Barbara, he immersed himself in Jungian depth psychology and counseling. However, the academic world seemed to skirt the profound intricacies of consciousness in relation to transformative healing and alleviation of suffering. This realization steered Mat towards the groundbreaking research on consciousness and enlightenment by Dr. Hawkins, M.D, PH.D.
Consequently, Mat's trailblazing “Hero’s Journey” holistic counseling program was born—a novel therapeutic approach deeply rooted in consciousness and spiritual enlightenment. With authenticity derived from his personal trials and extensive studies spanning over 17 years, he guides individuals and couples globally, utilizing 'The Inner Work' for holistic, spiritually-infused healing.
Engaging with Mat's offerings transcends traditional learning. It's a profound journey facilitated by someone who's navigated the darkness and shadows of life, overgoming his own addicitons, emerging back to the light with invaluable insights rooted in personal experience and transformation of consciousness. He stands not just as a teacher, but as a living testament to the transformative power of introspection and self-discovery.
Ash, a best-selling self-published author, stands as one-half of "The Yoga Couple" with her husband Mat. Together, they co-authored the transformative bestseller "The Inner Work". While Mat delves into the intricacies of the human psyche, Ash channels the timeless essence of Eastern teachings. Their combined insights offer a harmonious blend of yoga's ancient wisdom with the accessible language of psychology, making the profound subject of Self-realization relatable to the contemporary soul.
As a child, Ash's autism went undiagnosed, and she grappled with the challenges posed by her mother's narcotic addiction and her father's alcoholism. Seeking refuge and understanding, she turned to the spiritual realm at the age of 16. It was then that she discovered Hinduism and Jivamukti Yoga. These Eastern philosophies profoundly reshaped her worldview, propelling her on a steadfast journey of self-discovery and healing. Ash's story is one of overcoming adversity through spirituality, a testament to the power of inner work in managing one's mental health.
By her twenties, Ash had enrolled in a year-long intensive at the Stress Relief Management Center of Las Vegas, under the mentorship of Kathleen Santor, LMFT, a marriage and family therapist, becoming a trauma-informed certified yoga teacher by age 21. Her academic pursuits at UNLV in Eastern philosophy and religion complemented her pursuits as a new yoga teacher, as she provided yoga therapy to patients under the guidance of an esteemed OMD.
Throughout her journey, Ash has immersed herself in the study and practice of Kriya Yoga through the esteemed organization, "The Self-Realization Fellowship," originally founded by Paramahansa Yogananda. She has had the privilege of studying directly under yoga luminaries such as Ted Grand, founder of Moksha Yoga; Annie Carpenter, creator of SmartFlow; and Aileen Epstein Ignadiou of the Iyengar Yoga Center. Moreover, she undertook rigorous study within George Feuerstein PH.D's Traditional Yoga Studies program, benefiting from the profound insights of this renowned Indologist.
With a burning desire to share the light of yoga, Ash pioneered its spread in Las Vegas. At 25, she established her first studio with the Modo Yoga franchise and shortly thereafter, opened her second studio, Evolution Yoga. Through her teachings, she has touched countless lives, sharing the promise of transformation and enlightenment. Ash has since taught at some of the most renowned yoga and music festivals, both in the states and internationally. She's also developed her own unique method of yoga, culminating in the launch of her own school and yoga teacher training program. With a keen emphasis on the 'inner work' and authentic Tantric Kriya Yoga, she continues to inspire and guide many on their spiritual journey.
In Ash, readers encounter a rare blend of authentic spiritual grounding and practical wisdom. Her life story serves as a testament to yoga's transformative power that we can find our center despite our trubut as a devoted student of ancient teachings and a relatable guide for those seeking clarity and purpose in today's world.
Together The Yoga Couple reside on Big Island, Hawaii. Mat and Ash are devotees of Paramahansa Yogananda, supporters of the Self-Realization Fellowship and Yogoda Satsanga Society of India, and are committed to sustainable living and the dharmic path in all areas of their lives.
