Community Highlights: Meet Ashley Long of Yes Breathworks

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Long.

Hi Ashley, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was introduced to acting at the age of fourteen. From then on to this day now, the experience of the craft is still absolutely exhilarating. The state of flow is my favorite part of the craft. When all of the work, contemplation, technique, and research can strip away, there’s this state of flow of listening and responding that is simply put, indescribable. I think Elizabeth Gilbert calls it “Big Magic.” It’s a special experience. Acting is really a beautiful act of service when I meditate on it — to honor someone’s life through storytelling. It’s a way to connect and serve something greater. It has helped me understand myself, my own emotions, and the world around me, and it has deepened my curiosity about humanity.

I guess my story started growing up in Texas. I had this amazing neighbor with two kids who all loved film. The family brought me over consistently and introduced me to some of the greatest movies. It became a ritual going over there. I would argue running across the street to watch a movie with them sparked my passion for film and stories. A couple of months after that, the neighbor mentioned to my mom that this respected talent scout was coming into town and recommended that I audition.

Soon enough, I was preparing a monologue for the audition. I do remember always feeling a bit introspective as a kid. So naturally, acting felt familiar and intimate in a comforting way to me. When I read scripts and thought about the person in this story, I had this cathartic, deep, and exciting process. When I auditioned for the scout, Nikki Pederson, I felt very comfortable and confident. I think we are all given by God certain gifts and acting has been one of mine. Nikki accepted me in her program, and I started working with her team when I was 14 and the rest was history. All of my other hobbies didn’t seem to compare, and I felt safest and most excited while I was working on scripts and learning about acting.

I am a graduate of the USC School of Dramatic Arts and actively auditioning and filming.  I do to the work to stay inspired like when I was 14 years old.

Oprah shares the work of “staying awake,” by doing the consciousness work to put yourself first.  She shares about filling up your cup, remaining centered, and not leaving yourself astray. I would say this is a path that is exciting, surprising, and deeply rewarding through the non-linear journey.

This past year I filmed my first lead in a feature film movie. It’s called “The Phantom” and the premier will be after the New Year. I am grateful to have worked on this project. I also had the opportunity to sing and originate a soundtrack, which was a fantastic experience.

Outside of my life as an actor, I am trained and certified as a Breathwork Facilitator. I started my company, Yes Breathworks, with a mission to help others experience the healing benefits of Breathwork. Breathwork has been one of the modalities that I would say has been the most effective and healing for me. I got my certification from a top program that focuses on a trauma-informed approach and the nervous system. I am so fulfilled helping others and guiding people through breathwork sessions.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I don’t think anything in life is really a smooth road. I believe our business is a spiritual practice, and if we’re conscious of that, we do the work to surrender, release control and perfectionism, and start to enjoy the journey – the highs and the lows.

It’s a career path that has been so deeply rewarding for me through the most challenging times, as that is when I deepen,  learn, and evolve as a person the most. The more I grow as a person through humility and understanding, naturally, the more I grow as an actor. So, yes there have been struggles, but I look at them as lessons in the school of life. I would say the tough times in our careers following our passion show us if we truly want this path and remind us of our bravery and resiliency.

If anyone out there is struggling in pursuing their passion and reading this, just know you are not alone and you are more than enough. Don’t forget that there is no one with your unique energy and no one who is you. Stay true to yourself and know that the world needs you and your voice matters.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Yes Breathworks LLC?
Yes Breathworks is a company I founded to guide others through Breathwork sessions. Breathwork is a healing modality using continual, intentional breath patterns to break down emotions stored in the body that create blocks from living in our true nature.

The goal of Yes Breathworks is to support others to move through any stored energy in the body that is holding them back from living in their highest alignment. Breathwork allows us to be still, be with ourselves, and breathe to feel through our experiences.

You can find out more about Ashley’s company, Yes Breathworks, by emailing ashley@yesbreathworks.com or checking out her company’s website, www.yesbreathworks.com

We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up.
I grew up in Austin, Texas, and I would say probably the warm summer nights swimming in the pool and dancing with my family. We had this large greenbelt with tall oak trees in our backyard. My two sisters and I would play make-believe in the backyard for hours on end. There was real magic to those times I will always look back on fondly.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.yesbreathworks.com
• Instagram: @ashleynoellong
• Other: www.ashleynoellong.com

Image Credits
Karen Ray Photography