Welcome Classes Workshops Life Coaching Resources About Blog

Classes have begun at the new location-Plasha Yoga and Life Coaching Center, 4508 Zuck Road. Directions are below the class schedule and registration details. The Yoga Yurt studio was featured in the Erie Times on Dec. 8. Watch an audio slide show about it at www.goerieblogs.com/news/photo/ . It was posted on Dec. 8, 2009.

Free Introductory Classes  

To learn about the benefits of yoga and if yoga is right for you, Plasha Yoga Studio is offering free introductory yoga classes for new students from

5:30 to 7:00 pm on March 8 and from 7:00 to 8:30 pm on March 10.
(New students who can't make these still get the first class free!)
Please call 864-1114 to register.

"Eighty percent of success is showing up." -Woody Allen

The Class Schedule is below the testimonials and general information. The spring session begins March 15!

At Plasha Yoga, you will find the only integration of internationally recognized schools of Hatha Yoga (Integral, Iyengar, Ashtanga, Kripalu and Viniyoga) with Classical Yoga , Meditation and Ayurveda in Erie, and my guest teachers offer additional diversity! You will receive a deep inner workout as well as an outer workout!

Best Yoga Studio - Erie's Choice Awards 2007, 2008 and 2009 


Want to practice at home? My double CD set Raja Yoga for Beginners was reviewed by Yoga Journal and others. See the reviews at www.plashayoga.com/audio.html. It is $20.



Turn off your mind, relax
and float down stream
It is not dying
It is not dying

Lay down all thought
Surrender to the void
It is shining
It is shining

That you may see
The meaning of within
It is being
It is being

That love is all
And love is everyone
It is knowing
It is knowing

John Lennon

The Spring 2010 schedules are below. If you are new to yoga my pre-requisite is that you are open to Self-growth, wellness, spiritual aspirations and relaxation. You do not have to be flexible! Come join us for an abundance of fun yoga inspired by my many teachers and schools. Every class will feature a different mind-body-spirit theme. Practice deep static postures and therapeutic flows with precise verbal cueing. Learn effective ways to develop a strong healthy back, open shoulders and hips and increase flexibility without straining while rooting out the source of stress - the mind - with sophisticated breathwork, relaxation and meditation practices based on over 30 years of experience. Learn how to free yourself from the mentally conditioned mind and ego to open fully into the eternal now. Learn how to heal and release from the past to be more conscious in each moment. Access your wisdom and compassion and enjoy an awakened heart and mind! Directions to the studio are below the schedule and the registration information.

Given these economically challenging times, Plasha Yoga would like to support anyone who has been laid off due to job cuts. You can take yoga classes for $5 a class until you start a new job as a way to reduce the stress related to a job loss. Classes usually cost $10-15. Just call Michael Plasha at 864-1114 to arrange.

 

Michael Plasha is now certified by the American Institute of Vedic Studies as an Ayurveda and Yoga teacher. He is one of only 24 teachers in the world certified by Dr. David Frawley to teach Ayurveda and Yoga!

 

Call 864-1114 or write rhadeya@plashayoga.com to arrange a private consultation to determine the most effective and safest yoga and meditation practices for your current dosha(stress body type) state to experience optimum mental, physical and spiritual health and to avoid disturbing your mind, body and spirit with incorrect practices
and lifestyle habits for you.


Entering the state-of-the-art yurt.

Some testimonials...

"You teach mindfulness very well," said the Venerable Henepola Gunaratana, the founder of the Bhavana Society and the author of Mindfulness in Plain English after a hatha yoga class Michael taught for a group of Theravadan Buddhist Monks.

"Dear Michael, 
A few years ago, I took a wonderful workshop for teachers that you presented at Yogaville in Virginia, and I bought your Raja Yoga for Beginners CD. I use it often as a personal practice and as a resource in my teaching. Recently, the aftermath of a summer cold left me temporarily without my voice, and I played your CD for my classes, to wild enthusiasm. Several students would like to buy the CD set. Please let me know how I can order 5 sets (to start). Namaste", Susan Skow (Aug, 2009)

"I thought the class was very well narrated...you gave complete (but not boring) explanations for every posture and transition. The accurate and unpretentious use of proper Raja terminology was tempered with humble humor, careful suggestions for adjustment, attention to safety, and an impressive knowledge of the anatomy of the nervous and circulation systems. All of these factors made me really trust your understanding and dedication to teaching. Of the many classes in Boston and New York City I've sampled, I can honestly say your class was one of the best! I was so impressed that I mentioned you in class at my current studio in Soho. Thank you, again, for your wonderful insight!" - Gretchen Knapp, a "drop-in" student at Liberty Park in 2009.

“My sports medicine doctor recommended I take yoga with Michael for my back condition because he said Michael is the safest yoga teacher in Erie!” -Chris

"I enjoyed the classes very much this past year and did notice a difference. For the longest time I was hesitant to do hatha yoga, because I felt that the American culture ruined it with all the commercialization of it but you have honored this tradition without compromise. Thank you!" - Rohit

"Michael’s wisdom and skillful teachings are the key reason yoga has become an essential part of my daily life.  His deep commitment to quality and authenticity, to living his practice and teachings, and to constantly continue his education make him a master teacher.  He strives to create classes to encompass all levels of students.  He consistently gives options to rest/relax or deepen a pose/find your personal edge, or gives modifications to the pose so that benefit is still gained.  Michael’s ability to guide a class into challenging poses in a non-harmful way with clear, precise, sequential steps is unsurpassed.  And he does all this with compassion and a sprinkle of humor and laughter. 

Yoga fits in throughout my daily life, be it through breathing, practicing postures, meditating, remembering a bit of philosophy, repeating mantras, or reciting catchy phrases; but mostly I look forward to my class with Michael where I can listen – focus –do – just be – with a smile on my face and in my heart.  Michael has the ability to make me feel inspired and more in touch with my inner self.  It’s what keeps me coming back!" - Joyce Zuck , Plasha Yoga student of the decade (started in Jan. 1998)!

See what other students have said about Plasha Yoga. Go to the blog and click on testimonials. Discover what thousands already know. Start a safe new practice or take your practice to the next level with the most trained and experienced yoga teacher in Erie at Erie’s first yoga studio! If you can breathe, you can do yoga. “Plasha has mastered Raja and Hatha Yoga.” – Yoga Journal

CONSUMER ALERT...Did you know that 13,000 Americans were injured in the last three years according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (Oct. 2007). The main reasons cited were minimally trained teachers who began leading classes after a weekend training, open classes in a fitness setting, "hybrid" styles like power-flow yoga or yogalates, "hot yoga" and non-certified teachers teaching specialty classes like yoga for pregnancy, yoga for cancer and yoga for heart disease and forceful hands-on adjustments. Several injuries have been reported to me from yoga classes in the Erie area from adjustments given by teachers with only 200 hours of training or less.  Most senior teachers agree adjustments should only be given by teachers with at least 500 hours of training and 5 years of experience teaching. And they should ask permission before touching you and you can say NO. To avoid injuries you want to find a registered or certified yoga teacher(RYT or CYT) at the appropriate level for what they are teaching. There is RYT 200, RYT 500 and E-RYT 500. CYT can mean 12 hours to over 200 hours of training. To learn more about what RYT and CYT really means go to my Welcome page. I am E-RYT 500, the highest level registry mark the Yoga Alliance designates which means I had to document 5,000 hours of teaching experience in addition to earning over 500 hours from an approved school. As of Sept. 2009, I have taught over 8,000 classes and have 12,000 hours of teaching experience.

"Asana is but an initial step in Yoga for internalizing the mind. It is not the goal of Yoga, nor its essence. If we put too much emphasis on Asana practice, there is the danger that Asana will become a means not of transcending body  consciousness, which is its real goal, but only another means on increasing attachment to the body. This is particularly true of movement oriented Asanas that increase the quality of Rajas (activity) in the mind and body." Dr. David Frawley, Director of the American Institute of Vedic Studies


Erie's Choice 2007, 2008, and 2009 Best Yoga Studio!

I would like to thank you from the fullness of my heart for choosing Plasha Yoga once again as the Erie’s Choice for Best Yoga Studio! I am honored that you considered me and apparently appreciate my aspirations to integrate the classical yoga of Ayurveda, Bhakti, Jnana, Raja, Tantric and Karma Yoga with the internationally respected Hatha schools of Integral, Iyengar, Kripalu, Viniyoga and Ashtanga. I try to choose from these yoga's-in any given class-by intuiting what might be most helpful to you. Over thirty years of study(over 200 books), many trainings and practice have gone into this approach. If you are curious about the extent of my background, please go to www.plashayoga.com/about.html for specific details. To some degree this is a popularity contest-who can get out the most votes-but I hope it also reflects the quality and authenticity of my approach. Peaceful mind…loving heart…healthy and fit body…soaring spirit…positive vibrations…that’s Plasha Yoga! Thanks for joining me on this fascinating journey.


The amazing sky dome.

 


Michael Plasha assisting in the Flow Yoga Studio 2009 teacher training. Flow was named best yoga studio in DC.  

 

"Asanas (postures) are part of a sacred science that comprehends all aspects of consciousness. They are a preparation for pranayama and meditation. Asana as exercise should not be confused with the role of asana in classical yoga, which goes beyond this. Yoga should not be reduced to asana, which is only a fraction of the greater system. The time we put into asana should not substitute for that spent in deeper practices of pranayama, mantra and meditation. The true teacher of asana does so through awakening the prana of the student, not simply by teaching how to put the body into different poses." Dr. David Frawley

"Success in yoga comes from practicing for a long time, with regularity and enthusiasm." - Patanjali
"If we really want to go into the full system of yoga, the time we spend doing asanas should not substitute for that spent in the deeper practices of pranayama, mantra and meditation."
Dr. David Frawley - Director, the American Institute of Vedic Studies

 



Are You Ready To Go Deeper?


The koi fish pond

Thanks for voting Plasha Yoga best yoga studio again!


Class Registration Form

Email Registration/Removal Form

Bliss Cabin Meditation Cave Programs 

We are offering a weekly meditation at the Bliss Cabin Meditation Cave on Thursdays from 6 to 7pm starting Jan. 14. It will be facilitated by Neil who has taken my beginner and advanced meditation workshops. It is open to anyone who already knows how to meditate but would like the structure and support of a weekly group setting for meditation. A love donation is optional like a box of Yogi tea or nag champa incense, otherwise it is free. Chairs and blankets will be provided or you can bring a cushion or bench. The first "sit" will be from 6:10 to 6:30. Then there will be a 5 minute silent stretch break or bathroom break. Another optional sit is from 6:35 to 6:55 or you can enjoy a cup of tea by the fireplace in the living room while maintaining silence. Neil will not be teaching how to meditate but holding the energetic space for the practice of meditation. We hope this will provide a service to the community seeking a meditation group. Please call 864-1114 if you are interested. Meditation is the essence of Yoga.

Pranayam Yoga and Meditation with Shubra Gupta on Tuesdays from 6-7pm starting March 23. About 40 minutes of pranayama followed by a 15 minute meditation. Open to anyone. Free but love donations are accepted. Shubra has studied and practiced yoga her entire life. She is the real deal. Pranayama is considered the most powerful practice in hatha yoga, a central practice in Raja Yoga and a healing tool in Ayurveda. Patanjali says, pranayama destroys the veil that covers the light within(2.52). Enjoy! Chairs will be provided.


A totem pole blesses all who enter the grounds.


     SPRING 2010 Session Registration Details


         Spring Session -2010

9-weeks

March 15 to May 15 

$99 (one class a week); drop-ins welcome and pro-rating available

 

The Yurt Schedule

 

Mondays

Beyond Beginners 10:00 to 11:30 a.m.

            Basic 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. (new students) 

            Beyond Beginners 7:15 to 8:45 p.m. 

 

Tuesdays

Beyond Beginners 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.

            Restorative and Mindfulness Yoga 7:15 to 8:15 pm          

            (Restorative special rate of $75)


            Wednesdays

Beyond Beginners 10:00 to 11:30 a.m.

            Beyond Beginners 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.

            Basic 7:15 to 8:45 p.m. (new students) Tejas, CYT

             

 

Thursdays

Beyond Beginners 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.

            Advanced/Vigorous 7:15 to 8:45 p.m.

 

            Saturdays

            Integral Yoga for Experienced Beginners  9:00 to 10:30 am Tejas, CYT

           

All classes taught by Michael Plasha unless otherwise noted. All teachers are certified at the minimum 200 hour standard set by the Yoga Alliance and most do continuing ed with Michael Plasha in a mentoring program. Please bring a mat.

             

 

                        Fees/Registration Information


Unless otherwise noted, fees are for one class per week, during a session.

Registration fee of $99 by March 12 for Spring Session / Pro-rating anytime for $11-12 per class depending on the number of classes, if you can not start the week of March 15.  Open registration after March 15.

Married couples or partners: $175 Spring session.

Special Discount: Take two classes a week: $160-either session. Only $8.88 per class! 

Drop-in class (please call ahead): $15

Private Ayurveda and Yoga consults (call for appt.): $100/hr. Fast-forward your practice and optimize the benefits of yoga by creating an individualized approach.

 


To register, click on the registration form above and mail it with your check (made payable to Plasha Yoga) to: Michael Plasha 1285 Ponderosa Drive, Erie, PA 16509. Your check will guarantee you a space if we receive it before the start of each session and before the class fills. IMPORTANT: Please write the day/time of your class(es) somewhere on the check. Do not register by phone. Only call if you don’t know what to take. If you need to cancel, please notify me as soon as possible.  Missed classes are non-refundable and may be made up during the registered session only if there is room in another class of your level.  Those interested in making up a missed class must notify me to reserve a spot.  Late registrations for sessions are accepted on a pro-rated basis, space allowing.  You will be notified if your class has filled and your check will be cancelled. If you would like to receive on-line mailings in the future, please write your e-mail address on the check or on the attached form.

 
Studio Directions and Parking
If you can breathe, you can do yoga. What are you waiting for?  Plasha Yoga Studio and Life Coaching Center is located in a beautiful natural setting with woods, gardens, a labyrinth and a Koi fish pond. It is a sacred space for the practice of classical yoga in Erie with an ambiance that provides a unique yoga sanctuary in the Erie area. Come and feel the difference.  Plasha Yoga and Life Coaching Center is at 4508 Zuck Road about 50 feet north of Topics Salon across from Zuck Park. It is 1.2 miles from the I-79/Interchange Rd intersection (the Kearsarge exit) taking Zimmerly Rd to Zuck(turn right).  Taking 1-90 to 1-79 to the property, it is only 14 minutes from downtown Fairview, 15 from Harborcreek, 18 from Edinboro and 20 minutes from North East.  It is less than 10 minutes from most places in Erie and Millcreek.  The zip code is 16506 if you want to do a map quest locater.  There is ample parking at the site and additional parking across the street at Zuck Park. There are several security cameras on the property insuring that only students of Plasha Yoga, clients of Allison Parr-Plasha, Life Coach and Fred Popeski, Quantum Touch healing energy practitioner are there. New students or students who need a refresher must take Basic. Remember to avoid eating up to two hours before yoga classes.  Please arrive a few minutes early to get settled before class begins.  Avoid coming after class has started.  Wear loose, comfortable clothing.  Please choose the class that is appropriate for your practice level instead of a time that is most convenient.  Evening classes fill quickly; register as soon as possible for these classes.


“The important thing to bear in mind here is that the practice of Yoga should be carried out in a private place, in safety, with plentiful supplies of water and pure and fresh air, amidst pleasant surroundings and sheltered from curious and importunate eyes.” Gheranda Samhita (classic text on hatha yoga)

 
If you have questions, call me at 864-1114 or email me at rhadeya@plashayoga.com

"Repetition of mantra is the best means for the alleviation of diseases." Karmathaguru

Remember it is not how good you look in asana practice but how much the asana practice helps you to forget yourself and reconnect you to your higher Self. - Michael

Class Descriptions

 
Basic (Learning Hatha 1)
For new beginners or those who need a refresher. A thorough and safe introduction into yoga including modifications, adaptations and contraindications.


Michael and Sadhu in Vishnu Temple, Tamil Nadu

Gentle Beginner
A gentle version of hatha 1 suitable for new beginners; a review of basic methodology with easier postures!
Beyond Beginners (Hatha 1 & 2)
For experienced beginners . Please check with me if you are not sure. Familiarity with contraindications, stages and modifications is necessary related to beginner level (hatha 1)postures and introduction or review of new hatha 2 practices like chanting, mantras, more advanced pranayama and asanas. Hatha 1 and 2 is primarily based in Integral Yoga. Michael Plasha has over 800 hours of certified training in Integral Yoga, one of 9 internationally recognized styles of Hatha Yoga.
Intermediate/Vigorous (Hatha 2 & 3)
Vigorous yoga includes advanced vinyasa flows based in Ashtanga and Iyengar Hatha Yoga and assumes you have a strong regular yoga practice. If not, you will be more comfortable in the Beyond Beginners course. Check out my About page to learn about all of the great Ashtanga and Iyengar teachers I have studied with and others like Erich Schiffman! This class has been described by many as the most physically, mentally and spiritually challenging yoga class in the Erie area. Are you ready to go deeper?
Prenatal Yoga
Those interested in Prenatal are advised to seek physician clearance before registration and usually begin prenatal yoga in their second trimester. Michael Plasha is the only teacher in Erie certified to teach prenatal yoga! Over 10 years of teaching experience, 130 hours of certified training and the life experience of raising 6 children inform these classes!
Gentle Restorative and Mindfulness Yoga
The yoga of non-doing, restorative yoga, focuses on effortlessness and ease. When the body is fully supported with bolsters and blankets, it releases deeply held tensions. It is for any student who is not pregnant and without serious back conditions. It can be excellent for students recovering from injuries and managing chronic diseases. Michael Plasha is the only teacher in Erie certified to teach Yoga of the Heart for heart disease and cancer! I was trained in restorative yoga from Integrated Yoga Therapy, Integral Yoga and Iyengar Yoga teachers. I also integrate Mindfulness based healing and stress reduction practices that come from my many years of study and practice of Zen and Vipassana meditation, and retreats at the Rochester Zen Center, Zen Mountain Monastery and the Bhavana Society. Together they offer a very healing and rejuvenative experience.


Playa del Carmen, Mexico

Private Lessons/ Yoga Parties and Events
I am available for private Ayurveda and Yoga Therapy consultations for $100 an hour. An assessment of your practice, specific practices to meet your personal goals and identification of your predominant body type (dosha) will be determined to optimize your experience of yoga. Fast-forward your practice and optimize the benefits of yoga by creating an individualized Ayurvedic approach. Call for an appointment. House visits can be made for your convenience. I am also available for single event yoga parties and private classes!

"Yoga is severing the connection with that which causes suffering. Yoga should be practiced with insight and with an unperturbed heart." Bhagavad Gita VI. 23


4508 Zuck Road Erie, PA 16506

Erie’s Choice Award – Best Yoga Studio 2007, 2008 and 2009

Erie's Yoga Studio - Honoring the tradition of classical yoga with the highest level of training and experience available locally.
Feel the Difference Experience Makes!