Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Tomasino.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Ashley. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I grew up in Chicago, Illinois suburb called Lake Zurich where I played soccer, ran track and cross country. I was a quiet kid who was very influenced by my grandmother and her spiritual practice and belief systems. She encouraged me to follow my heart, and so I began studying teachers like Edgar Cayce at the age of nine. It was around this time that I met my uncle for the first time who told me about a book called The Journey of Souls, by Michael Newton. This book changed my life completely and shaped much of my formative believe systems during my early childhood years. I was intrigued by the subtle and spiritual nature of life and began studying it more in depth once I got to college and had my first LSD experience. From there, I began studying physics and health. I then enrolled in National University of Health Sciences where I earned a Bachelors in Biomedical Science with an emphasis on Neurology. This training opened my eyes to a deeper level of human nature, but I knew there was more and I knew that if I wanted to be spiritual and do shamanic work for the rest of my life, that I had to have a scientific background in order to connect more with the non-believers, or simply to communicate in a way that made sense to people.
From this point, I decided that I would study at Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in Chicago’s Wrigleyville campus. I felt at this time that I needed to dive deeper into a science that touched on the qualities of life that spoke to me, like the philosophy of the Dao. But prior to this and throughout my life I suffered from very serious depression and anxiety that stemmed from the intensity I grew up with and the traumas that I still hadn’t worked through. One day while in college I decided I had to take my own life. It was on this day that I had attempted to jump in front of a train that passed through Dekalb, Illinois. As I approached it, I saw a flash or a premonition and the train conductor whistled by and yelled out the window, “You have so much to live for!” I sat back after the premonition that showed me a flash of my future. I saw myself in a white lab coat standing in front of my clinic that I had not owned yet, with a little girl who I thought was my daughter, and a man who appeared to be my husband. I was a doctor in this image, and I was happy and light. I felt peaceful when I saw her.
I promised God that I would do my best to fight depression and that I would love to live my life like that woman in the premonition I saw. I asked for help to do so.
From there I have been focused on being more like the woman I saw and determined to get through to the doctorate level of acupuncture school, after having also taken the board exams four times. I never let go of that image.
During the time that I had been studying for the boards, which took two years straight after I had graduated in 2013, I had to figure out what to do for work. Earlier in 2009 I had taken a shamanic journey workshop that changed my life forever. This workshop allowed me to learn the basic tools for journeying that I now teach today. I had to figure out what I was going to do with my work so I got an office in Hillcrest and began drumming and offering drumming sessions for people. Sure enough the work took off. I was able to make a size able living, and then I began offering classes, apprenticeships and workshops to help support the community to empower them to live better, more full and happier lives.
Since I graduated, I have also journeyed to the Amazonian jungle many times, studying with curanderos and maestros such as Ricardo Amaringo to further my studies and healing with plant medicines like ayahuasca and plant teachers like piñon blanco, chiric sanango, tobacco, ayahuma and tammamuri-abota. My fascination with the plant world and its influence on our lives has helped me to develop what is now The Advocates Institute of Shamanic Studies where I teach and hold shamanic apprenticeships for those interested in deepening their lives and learning a more integrated approach to both modern and traditional healing practices.
At this time, my business is not going to change as I am preparing to do a sabbatical in the jungle for a year to deepen my own training and healing. I hope this will provide new levels of healing and information so I can offer it to the world. I am excited and thrilled for the path that is ahead, and grateful for all of the support and teachers who have blessed me along the way.
I look back at the times in my life when I wanted to give up, when depression or stress were too much. In retrospect these experiences gave me opportunities to connect with others and to help people not feel so alone on their journey. That is a blessing for all of us.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Definitely not. I started my journey in business with only making maybe $200 a month. I could barely afford rent or any necessities without borrowing money from friends or taking out student loans. Something inside told me that I needed to stay put and believe in myself.
There were times when I didn’t think I could be successful. Especially when I failed my boards by only one point after having studied for six months. I didn’t give up though, I had my father and a few friends in my corner who always believed in me. Soon enough, I tried different avenues for offering services that I could see people needed, and I developed a professional approach to spirituality, this helped soften the skeptics, and opened their hearts to my work.
What made this difficult ultimately was more dependent on the personal stuff in the background. It was hard for me to help others when I dated guys who simply sucked. It was hard to get to work when I was dating a guy who cheated on me, or the general stresses of life. These things were the most difficult, as well as just believing that I could continue and make the money I needed to, and help the people that needed my help. Needless to say, I prayed A LOT.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about The Advocates Institute for Shamanic Studies – what should we know?
I am a shamanic acupuncturist. I specialize in stress management, trauma and pain management. I am known for my drumming and combining it with acupuncture. I travel around the world giving acupuncture and integrating it with ayahuasca shamanism. I am proud of the growth and the community that my work has attracted. Many acupuncture friends come to me for advice after only being in business a few years because I have such a unique approach to healing. As a company, I am proud that it has grown so much and that we truly do work as ‘Advocates’ for the world and for each other. My apprentices are amazing people, and I’m proud of who they have become and consider them like family which is what I believe the world needs more of.
I am different from others because I have a very big view about what I want to create. I am different from other acupuncturists because of this. I think that the world of shamanic healing and acupuncture can in fact go hand in hand and I don’t know many other ayahuasca shamans who also do acupuncture. Currently I think there are only a few in the state. I typically integrate ayahuasca when in Peru and hold retreats for those interested in learning more about how acupuncture and ayahuasca can go together, but it has been an incredible way to develop the two and integrate them.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Ricardo Amaringo, my maestro, Richard Grossman my former mentor and friend who helped me believe in my work and in my acupuncture skills. So many friends like Dr. Joe Tafur and people I graduated college with like Allison Snowden, Nate Heidi, Najah Abdus Salaam, my father most importantly, my sisters Lisa and Kim, my cousin Daniel, Mary Kay Ryan, Ellen Katz, Eti Domb, Zev Rosenberg, Russell Feingold, Sita, Heidi Brockmeyer, Samantha Baron, Sheryl Stern. I could name so many who have helped me along the way. I am very grateful for others who have assisted in this powerful process of growth and evolution.
My father has pushed me more than anyone. He would tell me in his Chicago Italian voice, “Ash! You’re gunna be just like Steve Jobs” And he would talk to me weekly to let me know that I was going to really make it big. He would tell me never to give up when it came to my work and that I had what it would take to be really successful. He always has stood by my side even if he didn’t agree with what I wanted to focus on. He is now my partner in my company and I teach my students about shamanism based on the attitude and the nature that I learned from my father.
Ricardo Amaringo is a legend and someone that I have utmost respect for. He is an ayahuasquero in Peru who owns the center Nihue Rao Centro Espiritual. He sings for people all over the world to help them heal and transform their lives. He does so every week and is a true master at his craft. He has shown me great compassion, wisdom and magic in his work. I would not be here today without his guidance and support.
Pricing:
- Shamanic Healing $200
- Apprenticeships $8,000
Contact Info:
- Address: 4054 Centre Street,
San Diego, CA 92103 - Website: www.drashleytomasino.com
- Phone: 619-218-0537
- Email: [email protected]
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