Ashtanga with Erica

Q: What is the website?

http://www.ashtangawitherica.com/

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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.

12/05/2025

Join me tomorrow at 11am for a Beginner Ashtanga Workshop that will cover all the basics you need to start practicing with me on Zoom, in led classes or even Saturday Mysore practice on Sweetwood!
Register on the Classes page of my website or follow the link in bio.

12/01/2025

I know it might be a surprise, but I don't ALWAYS teach Ashtanga. Friday mornings on Zoom I teach Pranayama and Vinyasa Flow. My classes always have elements of Ashtanga but I take into consideration that many people have injuries, are aging (including myself!), or just want a different way to approach a pose.
Winter is coming, which means snow and ice. A great way to keep up on your practice through the winter is by practicing with me online Monday, Wednesdays and Fridays 7:30-8:30am. If you can't make it in person, the videos are always available.
Try this video from last Friday, and if you like it, join my Patreon channel: ashtangaerica.
There are 3 levels: $15, $45 and the new $25!
Hope to see you there:)
https://www.patreon.com/posts/144608875/edit

11/25/2025

If you know me, you know I love Yoga AND I LOVE to travel!
I hope you can join us in 2026 for one of these adventures...

FEBRUARY 7-14: Ashtanga for the Rest of Your Life in Chacala Bay, Mexico - ONLY 2 spots left! Co-hosting with

MARCH 15-20: MenoPAUSE Revolution Retreat in the Azores, Portugal -
>> 300 Euro discount through January 2026! > $300 discount through December 31, 2026

11/24/2025

If you've always wondered what a Mysore style Ashtanga class is, here's a hyperlapse video of our class last Saturday!
You'll notice everyone doing their own sequence in a way that works best for them.
☆ It may be a little bit of, or all of Primary series.
☆ It may involve a bit of Intermediate (2nd).
☆ Or maybe even a little Advanced A(3rd).
But the point of it is: Do what is right for YOU!
I'm here to help you connect the dots and figure out what to practice. We are a community, so other students may share their experiences as well. That's where the magic is. We all learn from and lean on one another.
Sometimes I compare the Mysore teacher to a flight attendant: we may have the most logged 'flight' hours in the room so we can make informed suggestions on how to stay safe and comfortable, we can offer a pillow or blanket (prop), we stay calm when things get scary, and we are always available with a smile and encouraging word.
Stop in for practice sometime!

11/19/2025

If you are feeling overwhelmed about conflicting perimenopause and menopause information, get ready to take back control. Learn from leaders in the fields of psychotherapy, gynecology and yoga as you share feelings and tips with other women in the same season of life.

> On this retreat, we will craft an individualized plan to integrate healthy habits into life at home in a way that is sustainable, nourishing, and manageable for YOU.

> Experience the benefits of daily yoga practice, mindful eating, time in nature, connection with others, and deep rest.

> 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.

Join with a friend to room with, or come on your own!
This is your opportunity to learn how to reframe this season of life and create the future you desire for decades to come.

11/17/2025

Do you love practicing Ashtanga yoga? Then why stop when you begin to age?! Modify!

Yes, of course, we may DROP OFF certain postures, and certain WAYS to do postures, but the essence of the practice is always there. Moving, breathing, paying attention to the sensations. That is the essence of this practice. Get on your mat and move your prana. Observe the beauty of aging as the wisdom of this practice finds its way deep into your bones.

You are a thing of beauty. Yesterday, today, always. Find the joy in life and movement!

* My friend Patty is 89 years old. We find ways for her to keep moving through a hip and a knee replacement as well as a recent fall. We use blocks, a belt, a ball, pillows, the wall and the island in her kitchen. Sweet Chloe is always there circling around us doing Upward and Downward Facing Dog!

11/12/2025

Hi Friends!
It's last call for our MenoPAUSE Revolution Retreat in the Azores March 2026.
If you register now you will not only get 500 Euro off, but you will also be doing something great for your current and future self.
This workshop is chock full of information from your friends Shonda Moralis, Kristin Friel and ME!
Morning YOGA PRACTICES with me, will start your day with postures and breathing exercises that are helpful during menopause and will help you get a good nights sleep.
Through DISCUSSIONS and LECTURES with Shonda and Kristin, you will gain insights into what is actually happening in your body and mind, and what you can do to ease yourself through this transition.

We need just 5 more ladies to make this happen by November 15. So the countdown has begun and we hope you and a friend decide to join us.

Want more info on the resort, itinerary, and what's included? Follow my link in bio to the Retreats page and click on Register NOW!

11/10/2025

2 Beginner Ashtanga Workshops on deck!
>> Nov. 15 @ 3pm and
>> Dec. 6 @ 11am

Ashtanga Yoga is often described as a moving meditation. In this workshop, you will learn the basic breathing technique and the foundational sequence of Ashtanga Yoga: the Sun Salutation. It will be taught breath by breath and move by move. In this process, you will gain strength and flexibility, however this is a side effect of a consistent practice. Our intention is to focus on the invisible parts of this practice and celebrate what we can do, not to fret about what we can't do.

In this workshop, you will learn the:
> intention behind and techniques of Ashtanga yoga.
> breathing technique, known as Ujjayi breath, used to focus the mind.
> postures that create the foundation for the physical aspect of this practice.
> basics of Ashtanga so you can begin a home practice, join me on Zoom or attend Saturday Mysore class!

11/09/2025

There's a new term being used these days: Health Span. It's much different than your Life Span. Your health span is the length of time you are able to be active and enjoy life without debilitating illness or pain. There are pre-existing factors at play here, but there are also many things you can do right now to affect your Health Span: Keeping the body strong and flexible with a regular yoga practice • Eating a healthy, plant based diet • Exercise • Social engagement • Brain Games • Limiting alcohol • Meditation. It's never too late, start today!!!

11/08/2025

Saturdays on Sweetwood

Mysore Style Ashtanga Yoga is the traditional method of instruction taught in India. The instructor works individually with each student, while the other students continue to move through their own practice, at their own pace. This style empowers the students to have agency over their own practice, creating an environment of growth, positivity and community.
Students are first taught the Sun Salutation, the foundational sequence of Ashtanga Yoga, breath by breath and move by move. New postures and techniques are added on as students progress individually. Erica uses gentle hands on assists and gives verbal cues that empower her students to explore and adapt, and practice at home, rather than remaining reliant on a teacher.
With a little practice, Ashtanga Yoga becomes a moving meditation. Ashtanga sets the stage for your brain to enter the Flow State. Your practice is a time to reflect and observe yourself without judgement. In this process, you will gain strength and flexibility, however, this is a side effect of a consistent practice. Our intention is to focus on the invisible parts of Ashtanga Yoga and celebrate what we can do, not to fret about what we can't do.

11/01/2025

1 year from today, we depart for the our first retreat in Jaco, Costa Rica…and we’re excited to announce that the retreat is already half way full! Jennifer and I were so encouraged by the number of people that registered, and we considered the fact that the holidays are coming, so we decided to extend the discount so more of our students could take part in it.

So if you think you missed the discount…
You’re in LUCK!

>We’ve extended the $300 discount until December 31, 2025<

I have been hearing such wonderful things from people I know who have either attended a retreat or hosted one at Vida Asana School of Yoga. One thing they told me is that the monkeys hang out in the trees just outside the second floor studio where we will have our daily practice! I’m so excited to bring our warm, Ashtanga, group energy there so we can make this a yearly destination.

If you’re still on the fence, or thought you missed the discount, put it on your Christmas list and mention it to your bestie!

10/29/2025

SERIOUS POST ALERT: Flatulation during yoga classes

It's time we talk about the elephant in the room. I'm talking about passing gas, farts, t***s, and good ol' bottom burps.
If this has happened TO you, NEXT to you, or you've HELD BACK with all your bandha strength, keep reading.
One of the great benefits of practicing yoga asana is how it can improve our digestion. Twisting, inverting, side bending, compressing the belly in forward bends and even back bending can all help move food and trapped air through our intestines. That's what it's supposed to do. It's a natural outcome of moving our bodies in these ways. Unfortunately, it often happens in a class when we are least expecting it. But don't fret, it's happened to most of us at one time or another.

If it happens to you often, your body is trying to tell you something!
Take note of the posture you are in when it happens, and even the few poses that came previously. This sequence may be the master key for you to practice when you are in the comfort of your own home. At home you are free to flatulate as loudly or as long as necessary!
Or, do these poses before you leave for class so you can 'relieve' yourself of any unwanted attention during class.

And if it happens next to you, try to be kind, keep on breathing, but maybe opt to breathe through your mouth for a few minutes while the air clears :)

***s

Address

6285 Sweetwood Drive
Macungie, PA
18062

Opening Hours

10:30am - 12pm

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