Ashtanga with Erica

Ashtanga with Erica Ashtanga yoga is a sequence of poses, similar to learning a dance and repeating it until you synchronize your breath and movement.

www.AshtangaWithErica.com
Your guide to creating an Ashtanga practice that adapts with you as you age, explore and breathe your way through this incredible life! We hold small classes in Macungie at Sweetwood, both indoors and outdoors, weather permitting. We also offer online classes, either group or private. We welcome all levels of practitioner and believe that this practice can be both therapeutic both physically and mentally through the body/breath awareness focused on in Ashtanga Yoga.

For the past 15 years or so, I have said that my heart is in the practice of Mysore style Ashtanga yoga.Why? Because THA...
09/09/2025

For the past 15 years or so, I have said that my heart is in the practice of Mysore style Ashtanga yoga.
Why? Because THAT is where the practice finds a home in your soul.

First, deep concentration is required to just memorize the sequence of movements.
Next, you practice listening to your breath as you coordinate breath with movement.
You might use one practice to just work on Drishti.
Another practice to work on consistent Ujjayi breathing.
And another to maintain awareness of Bandhas.
Then one day you catch yourself moving through your practice, working out some worry in the back of your mind AND breathing smoothly through it all.
Inhaling confidence, Exhaling anxiety!
Then you take a nice long relaxation at the end.

That said, my Saturday classes will become Mysore style Ashtanga yoga starting on Sept 13, 2025. Students who already have memorized Sun Salutation A and B are welcome to join anytime!

Led Beginner Ashtanga Sessions and Workshops will be held periodically to introduce new students to the practice. Once a new student completes a session they will be prepared to join the Saturday classes.

Upcoming Beginner class dates:
Beginner Session - Tuesdays | Sept 23-Oct 14 | 6:30-7:30pm
Intro to Ashtanga Class - Saturday | Oct 11 | 11am-12pm

For the past 15 years or so, I have said that my heart is in the practice of Mysore style Ashtanga yoga. Why? Because TH...
09/08/2025

For the past 15 years or so, I have said that my heart is in the practice of Mysore style Ashtanga yoga.
Why? Because THAT is where the practice finds a home in your soul.

First, deep concentration is required to just memorize the sequence of movements.
Next, you practice listening to your breath as you coordinate breath with movement.
You might use one practice to just work on Drishti.
Another practice to work on consistent Ujjayi breathing.
And another to maintain awareness of Bandhas.
Then one day you catch yourself moving through your practice, working out some worry in the back of your mind AND breathing smoothly through it all.
Inhaling confidence, Exhaling anxiety!
Then you take a nice long relaxation at the end.

That said, my Saturday classes will become Mysore style Ashtanga yoga starting on Sept 13, 2025. Students who already have memorized Sun Salutation A and B are welcome to join anytime!

Led Beginner Ashtanga Sessions and Workshops will be held periodically to introduce new students to the practice. Once a new student completes a session they will be prepared to join the Saturday classes.

Upcoming Beginner class dates:
Beginner Session - Tuesdays | Sept 23-Oct 14 | 6:30-7:30pm
Intro to Ashtanga Class - Saturday | Oct 11 | 11am-12pm

Do you get to practice with your teacher every day? We know that for some students, it's a rare opportunity to get to a ...
09/04/2025

Do you get to practice with your teacher every day?
We know that for some students, it's a rare opportunity to get to a studio between family, work and responsibilities. The more you attend classes, your instructor will get to know you and provide the support and instruction you need to gain the confidence and strength necessary to practice the pose on your own!

Do you begin your Ashtanga practice with the intention of meditative movement and breath and get lost in chasing the poses instead?
While on a retreat, maintaining a daily practice supported by two teachers with over 25 years of experience, may be the shift your practice is looking for...

Take advantage of our $300 discount if you register by Oct. 31, 2025! Link in bio.
Join Jennifer and Erica for a 6-day dive into the depths of your practice at Vida Asana School of Yoga, Jaco, Costa Rica Nov. 1-7, 2026.

> Julie C working through Bhujapidasana

I love to hear everyone's unique stories of how Yoga was introduced into their lives. Sometimes it's from parents practi...
09/02/2025

I love to hear everyone's unique stories of how Yoga was introduced into their lives. Sometimes it's from parents practicing, introduction in college, stumbling across a class when they needed it the most or their doctor recommending it to them for back pain. Whatever the story is, it's always good to reflect on and discuss.

Once I started relating my own story, I realized it went back much farther than I first thought.
I have a picture of me as a baby in child's pose.
As a pre-teen I practiced headstands with the wall and backbends on the hill next to my house.
I watched Yoga with Lilias on local cable TV.
I practiced with Buns of Steel Yoga VHS when going to the YMCA just didn't feel right.
Finally, I found a yoga class in the back of a New Age Shop.
Then NCCC, onto Kripalu (at the suggestion of my friend Isaac) and right to my first Ashtanga training at It's Yoga San Francisco.
Trainings with Beryl Birch at the Omega Institute, Kathy McNames at Yoga Vermont and David Swenson whenever he visited the North East.
Always, returning home, and continuing to practice on my own. Because there weren't any yoga studios in the Lehigh Valley until I opened one in 1999. So there you have it: Yoga Sutra 1.14 - Practice becomes firmly grounded when well attended to for a long time, without break and in all earnestness.

Come practice with me Tuesdays and Thursdays at The Roost in Bethlehem and we can settle in for the long haul together!

* Picture is: David Swenson, his lovely wife Shelley and Shari from Sundog Yoga in Doylestown.

An OB-GYN, a psychotherapist and a yoga instructor walk into a bar....I know it sounds like the beginning of a joke, but...
09/02/2025

An OB-GYN, a psychotherapist and a yoga instructor walk into a bar....

I know it sounds like the beginning of a joke, but it’s actually true and it might just be the thing you’ve been looking for!

We call it the:
MenoPAUSE Revolution Yoga Retreat: Where Science meets Sanctuary

I am hosting this retreat alongside my knowledgeable, fun, amazing friends:
Kristin S. Friel MD and Shonda Moralis, MSW, LCSW.
Our setting for this unique menopause and yoga retreat is the gorgeous island known as ‘the Hawaii of the Atlantic’: Azores, Portugal in April 2026!
(see below to place your name on the VIP list for a great discount!).

If you are a woman who is:
* Age 30 and up
* Not feeling like yourself and ready to take back control
* Overwhelmed, unsure where to start, and confused by conflicting perimenopause information
* Ready for a boost in energy, health, and enjoyment
* Eager to learn more about perimenopause and menopause
* Have always said you want to start a yoga practice appropriate for YOU
… have we got a retreat made for you!

Become a VIP, get a $580 discount!
To be added to our VIP list and get first access to info, DROP ME AN EMAIL.
(No obligation or deposit needed at this time.

Whether you are craving R&R, activity, nature, travel, or time with friends—there is ample opportunity for it all.

Participate in daily evidence-based menopause talks and discussion about hormones, symptoms, treatment options, and practical lifestyle shifts.

Learn how nutrition, exercise, mindset, stress reduction, and communication needs change during perimenopause.

Craft an individualized plan to integrate healthy habits into life at home in a way that is sustainable, nourishing, and manageable for YOU.

Start where you are, do what you can, embrace what works for your body. All levels—from beginner to seasoned yogis.

Reframe this season of life as an opportunity to create the best you for decades to come.

We hope you can join us!

4 generations. That's what this photo represents. I taught Stacy (Tribe Yoga), Stacy taught Tori, Tori taught Amy.We all...
08/29/2025

4 generations. That's what this photo represents. I taught Stacy (Tribe Yoga), Stacy taught Tori, Tori taught Amy.
We all practiced together last night at The Roost. (And thank YOU Chris for providing the space).
I'm incredibly grateful to all of my teachers (Larry Schultz, David Williams, David Swenson, Kathy McNames, Beryl Bender Birch, my 3rd grade teacher Mrs. Dauscher, and my mom and Dad) for sharing their knowledge of life, love and happiness.
This practice is meant to raise your prana, guide you towards peace of mind and health of the physical body. Thank you to all who have practiced, embodied, evolved and shared this practice over the decades.
Namaste 🙏

When you know, you know... ❤️
08/17/2025

When you know, you know...

❤️

Missing my peeps at The Roost... but I'll be back soon. Right now, I'm spending some quality time with some of my favori...
08/15/2025

Missing my peeps at The Roost... but I'll be back soon.
Right now, I'm spending some quality time with some of my favorite people on Maui.

Practicing at House of Yoga and Zen with David and Shelley.
Enjoying the sights with David W.
Swimming in the gorgeous water with Shari.
Living Aloha.

🌴🌊❤️🤙

Don't be afraid to bust yourself open and try on a new you! It will be a little scary. It will most likely be difficult...
08/01/2025

Don't be afraid to bust yourself open and try on a new you!

It will be a little scary.
It will most likely be difficult.

The hard work will pay off, and you'll discover that staying in your old patterns wasn't serving you.

Keep your old, cozy, nourishing habits. The ones that give you comfort and bring you joy.

It's time to emerge.
We've got this one wild and precious life.
Love it!

Can I just say....I love life!And of course teaching Ashtanga Yoga:))))So many changes over the past few years, but I'm ...
07/18/2025

Can I just say....I love life!
And of course teaching Ashtanga Yoga:))))

So many changes over the past few years, but I'm finally back to a full schedule of classes. There are quite a few private sessions sprinkled in there through out the week as well!

And....
I'm back with my girl Britt to teach a workshop in August.
I'm teaching at Chris's studio The Roost and we are hosting our 2nd retreat together in Mexico February 2026.
Jennifer and I have a retreat scheduled in Costa Rica November 2026.
I'm also working out a Midlife Reset: Menopause and Yoga Retreat for April 2026 with author and therapist Shonda Moralis and Dr. Kristin Friel, MD. Interested?

Just like the man says: 'No bells. No whistles. Yoga.'
07/16/2025

Just like the man says: 'No bells. No whistles. Yoga.'

07/16/2025

The basis for the Ashtanga practice is the vinyasa, aka Surya Namaskara, aka Sun Salutation A.
As we greet the new day each morning and begin to breathe in deeply, we awaken the mind, muscles and spine with the pumping, forward/backward actions of the Sun Salutation.
Jennifer and I are doing the same movements yet we definitely don't do it exactly the same. And to me, that's how it reveals the beauty of each and every student. We can all practice together, yet look, feel and experience it differently.
Proportions. Injuries. Flexiblity. Weakness. Bone shape. Tightness. Strength. Overuse. Arthritis. Intention. Lack of Attention. Consistency. Time.
These are all things that will affect how you approach this practice.
Next year in Costa Rica, our daily practices together will help you re-connect to your practice and connect the dots of Ashtanga Yoga so you can experience the innate wisdom of this incredible practice.

Address

6285 Sweetwood Drive
Macungie, PA
18062

Opening Hours

10:30am - 12pm

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