Main Line Yoga Shala

Join me THANKSGIVING MORNING 9-10am for a special Vinyasa class online. May every pathway you choose Lead to that which is pure and good and lovely. May every doubt and fear... Be replaced by a deep abiding trust. And when there is only darkness, And the storms of life are closing in, May the light at the core of your being Illuminate the world.-Anonymous To register: https://clients.mindbodyonline.com/classic/ws

Join me for weekly classes beginning this week. To register go to MINDBODY under Erica Taxin Bleznak Yoga Friday 9am Yin/Vinyasa Saturday 9am Vinyasa Monday 9am Vinyasa... Go to my website www.Ericataxinbleznak.com

I once heard an elderly and well revered Tibetan monk talk about an official visit he made to Thailand . The Thai delegates were very excited to surprise him with a visit to the countries newest crown jewela suspension bridge that spanned over a 900 feet and was almost 200 feet off the ground. Each side of the bridge was held by thick rope embedded into rocks.... below was a body of water. The officials stood there with exuberance, wildly gesturing to their countries pri...de and joy as they excitedly asked him to cross the bridge with them. The bridge was a very popular tourist destination and on this day, as on most days since it had opened,there were hundreds of fascinated people- both young and old crossing the bridge. The monk said that since childhood, he had always been exceptionally frightened of heights; in his life he would do whatever was possible to avoid the exact situation he found himself in; yet as he stood there he didn’t want to disappoint or insult the officials and so he stepped closer to the rickety wood planks that signified the start of the bridge. Just as they were guiding him to begin the crossing-he stopped and closed his eyes. He said that in that moment he could experience two things 1.) what was Real and 2.) what was True What was real was that he could feel his heart beating out of his chest, his hands were sweaty and his stomach felt tight. That his thoughts told him the bridge would collapse and he would die. He then said that he could also turn toward what he knew was True; that many had and were crossing the bridge safely without it collapsing. He was able to hold both what was Real and what was True. It was his ability to hold both things that allowed him to open his eyes and cross the bridge.... but not cross over himself or his experience that day. I have always loved this story. I often bring it to mind when I meet challenges in my own lifepause -close my eyes and ask these two questions...what is Real and what is True. October 20 will be the last day of online classes for Main Line Yoga Shala. I am crossing a bridge that has been hard to step onto, but looking apprehensively and enthusiastically at some new adventures ahead. I will continue to teach some classes online on a new platform as will all of the incredible teachers from Shala. These women Rachael Hunter Tricia Adelman Rebecca Blumenthal Saline Cicelee Chappelle Christina Fittipoldi Alden (who are truly the best of the best and have been a buoy for me) and will also be offering their own classes. We will be sending out a detailed list in next week. I closing my eyes and feel the Realness of the deep sadness and grief but also knowing the Truth is that.... all will be well.

It is a sad sad time when a woman who had served her country for so long, spent her last years literally fighting for her life, and had so many people hoping she can just hold on so we can avoid the tyranny of a leader who may jeopardize her life’s work. What an absolutely horrible time we are in.

(Credit: Dr Ruth King)

New Videos with Erica Taxin Bleznak are up for Download! On Demand so you can practice when you have time! https://vimeo.com/ondemand/ericataxinbleznak

We have sent an email from Shala if you have not received it please see below... Beloved Shala Community, When we closed our doors to Shala in March, we believed it would be several weeks until we would all see your smiling faces back on your mats or our gently hushing you in the lobby until the previous class finished savasana....five months later, it feels almost surreal that we are still not open. ... Shala teachers, Christina, Deb, Tricia, Cicelee, Rachael, Rebecca, and Julie are willing to continue teaching online, and they have certainly been a buoy for so many. I have never, in all my years of running a studio, had a group of women who have been so dedicated and supportive. They are remarkable. I could never have imagined the challenges we face today on a personal, global and business level. I do not feel that we would be acting responsibly or ethically by allowing students to walk in the space even though some restrictions have been lifted; in addition we believe that these allowances by the State will soon be rolled back. If there is anything I have learned from my practice, it is to meet reality with courage, strength, an open heart and a willingness to not allow my own personal desires to obscure the vision of what is True in the moment. I know when I align with this, life will move not only with greater ease, but in a direction that will open to even greater potential. The online teachers and I have all come to a decision to close the brick and mortar studio of Shala and continue online offerings. By doing this we will be able to expand our offerings. This decision was, (as most True decisions), both easeful and painful. We will continue to offer classes online, offer some additional classes, and continue with our social justice workshops (which have become a deep part of the fabric of Shala). We care about you deeply. We will continue to look for your bright smiles online....you have given us all more than we can express. With Our Love, Erica

NEW CLASS ALERT: Wednesday's 6:30-7:30am with the incredible Tricia Adelman sign up www.mainlineyogashala.com

We have sent an important email to our community, if you have not received it please read below: Beloved Shala Community, When we closed our doors to Shala in March, we believed it would be several weeks until we would all see your smiling faces back on your mats or our gently hushing you in the lobby until the previous class finished savasana....five months later, it feels almost surreal that we are still not open. ... Shala teachers, Christina, Deb, Tricia, Cicelee, Rachael, Rebecca, and Julie are willing to continue teaching online, and they have certainly been a buoy for so many. I have never, in all my years of running a studio, had a group of women who have been so dedicated and supportive. They are remarkable. I could never have imagined the challenges we face today on a personal, global and business level. I do not feel that we would be acting responsibly or ethically by allowing students to walk in the space even though some restrictions have been lifted; in addition we believe that these allowances by the State will soon be rolled back. If there is anything I have learned from my practice, it is to meet reality with courage, strength, an open heart and a willingness to not allow my own personal desires to obscure the vision of what is True in the moment. I know when I align with this, life will move not only with greater ease, but in a direction that will open to even greater potential. The online teachers and I have all come to a decision to close the brick and mortar studio of Shala and continue online offerings. By doing this we will be able to expand our offerings. This decision was, (as most True decisions), both easeful and painful. We will continue to offer classes online, offer some additional classes, and continue with our social justice workshops (which have become a deep part of the fabric of Shala). We care about you deeply. We will continue to look for your bright smiles online....you have given us all more than we can express. With Our Love, Erica

The live music and yoga outdoor event with David Newman and Erica Taxin Bleznak is FULL. We have created a waitlist that you can join www.mainlineyogashala.com

Myths: 1. Bringing your knee over your toes in asana is dangerous 2. If you do anti racism work you aren’t racist... 3. Integrating strength exercises limits your flexibility 4. Placing a black box or BLM box on your studio’s Instagram equates making the space sensitive, consciou and welcoming to BIPOC 5. A student who verbally agrees to a physical assist means they are comfortable with being touched 6. Black revolutionary soldiers were patriots...they were enslaved. 7. Stretching makes your muscles longer 8. Because you practice yoga, meditate, go on silent retreats and read the Gita you aren’t racist 9. You can do the work of antiracism alone 10. Yoga Alliance actively advocates for unconscious bias, cultural appropriation and anti racism work be required in their credentialing guidelines 11. Officers who killed Brianna Taylor have been arrested.

We are thrilled to be able to offer an outdoor Yoga and Live Music class with Erica Taxin Bleznak and incredible kirtan artists David Newman at a private residence in Penn Valley. Thursday, August 20 6pm. This will be a socially distant outdoor practice at a private home; there are very limited spots. Details to be sent a few days prior to event! To register https://www.mainlineyogashala.com/workshops-and-retreats/

Commit to doing the deeper work...we at Shala are committed...join us.

Wondering how to talk to your family, friends, partners about racism....Join us for this amazing workshop THIS Thursday 6:30-8om with the incredible Dr. Nathalie Edmond To Register: https://www.mainlineyogashala.com/workshops-and-retreats/ We will explore the different stages of becoming an anti-racist, how to invite people in versus calling them out on their racist ideas and biases, and how to be validating and compassionate while also taking a strong stance of anti-racism.... Wondering how to navigate sometimes difficult conversations about race and inviting people to take the journey of being an anti-racist? We will explore the different stages of becoming an anti-racist, how to invite people in versus calling them out on their racist ideas and biases, and how to be validating and compassionate while also taking a strong stance of anti-racism.

Dr. Nathalie Edmond ran a series over the past three weeks on Anti Racism that was so powerful. I keep uncovering blind spots and learning ways to confront myself and others. She read this last night I encourage you to read, it’s profound... XO erica Dear America:... When we served you as slaves, you abused us, starved us, sold us and called us lazy. You treated us inappropriately. When we ran away, you came and captured us. Cutting off life and limbs. You treated us inappropriately. When we were emancipated, you put on sheets and raided our homes, raped us and lynched us. You treated us inappropriately. When we separated ourselves, grew and became our own thriving communities of Tulsa, Rosewood, Mound Bouyou, Colfax and Atlanta, as a nation you sanctioned the bombing of our communities, the burning of our homes and businesses, the brutalizing of our men and the blocking of us on every turn. You treated us inappropriately. When we sat down, you told us no... demanded us to stand up by dragging us off the buses, off the streets and out of our homes. You treated us inappropriately. When we marched peacefully and unarmed, you sent out the national guard, the fire hoses and the dogs. You bombed our churches and assassinated our leaders. You treated us inappropriately. When we wore dashikis, afros and our natural hair, you fired us, derided us and called us names for not immulating your standards of beauty. You treated us inappropriately. When we kneeled, you didn't address the issue. You simply rewrote the narrative, called us unpatriotic...and demanded we stand. You treated us inappropriately. With each demonstration against your racism and malfeasance, you have labeled our actions, "inappropriate." But, in all of the years of our rebelling, fighting and protesting, you have never once acknowledged or changed YOUR inappropriate behavior. Now, here we are....again. You kill us and then think you have the right to tell us how to respond to the pain. After doing everything possible to be freed, even a trapped animal will chew off it's foot to save it's life...and not a single animal who understands will call it, inappropriate." So in final desperation, we protest, loot and burn down the village to be freed from your racist abuse. And, your response is to call out the military...not to protect us or our communities...but to protect your racism from our "inappropriateness" in responding to it. Please know this: Until you appropriately surrender and give up your racism and racist behaviors, we will continue to protest... being appropriately....inappropriate. The "Inappropriate" Manifesto By Dr. Carolyn L. Gordon

Shala manager Gigi Peterkin posted this powerful video about her family.... Thank you Gigi these are issues many of us never consider.

Erica’s article has become a featured piece in the new edition of Elephant Journal. Take a look at myths about yoga (and racism)

Voices in Our Head.... I was sorting through some old files from my Masters in Social Work Program and came across an area of study I was always fascinated by, it has to do with the Bystander Effect. You don't need to be a social scientist to understand this phenomena-- most of us have either witnessed, been a part of or heard about this psychological phenomena at one time or another....Continue reading

How to have difficult conversations around race. We are so glad to have Nathalie Edmond back for another online workshop. Posting is great but more importantly.....do the work!! Register at www.mainlineyogashala.com