Erika Burkhalter

About Erika Burkhalter

Erika’s Journey

I first discovered yoga at the age of eight or nine by practicing along with Lilias Folan and her PBS TV series, Lilias, Yoga and You, and have been treading this path ever since.  Exotic India has also called to me since I was a young girl. The smells of the flowers and spices, the vibrant colors of the saris, and the echo of vedic chanting rippling across the Keralan backwaters lures me back year after year (I have now ventured to the “Mother Land” twelve times).  Inspired by my travels in India, I love to integrate Indian folk tales and myths, philosophy, and sacred mantra into my classes.

 My teacher, Dr. Christopher Chapple, had the vision to create a Yoga Philososphy Certificate and, eventually a Master’s Degree, at Loyola Marymount University.  I am honored to have graduated as part of the inaugural class of the MA program (the first MA in Yoga Studies program in the country).  I focused my research on the interconnection between mythology, philosophy and modern science, and am now finishing the writing of a book, “Interconnected.”  I also have an MS in Neuroscience, and I am particularly intrigued with how ancient wisdom correlates with modern science to allow us to lead happier, more fulfilling lives.

 Over the years, I have ventured along many divergent and convergent yoga paths.  I began teaching yoga in 1999.  For many years, I was an ashtanga devotee, completing 1st and 2nd series ashtanga teacher training programs with my beloved teacher, Tim Miller.  I did my advanced training with Edward Clark of Tripsichore Yoga (a more dance-based form of yoga), as well as completing several other, shorter, trainings along the way with David Swenson, Karin O’Bannon (Iyengar-based program), Erich Schiffman, Andre Lappa and others, and have practiced in India with Sri K. Pattabhi Jois and Sharath Rangaswamy. I have also completed Judith Hansen Lasater’s Restorative Yoga Training and assisted her with one of her trainings.

My intent is to integrate not only breath and alignment, but also a spirit of playfulness and a sense of history into this beautiful practice.  As far as the asana part of the practice, I have come to understand the importance of joint stability (so many yogis tend to push towards hypermobility of the joints), and I use a variety of functional anatomical techniques to create kinesthetic awareness before moving more deeply into a pose.  I also, very intentionally, use a diversity of movement in class to promote new neuromuscular connections. 

I am honored to be on the faculty for the Yoga Works 300 hr teacher training program. I have mentored for Yoga Works for many years, and have had the joy of watching so many of my students blossom into the amazing teachers they are today. I lead a 50-hour Yoga Philosophy program for the 300 hr program as well. I also teach several modules on yoga philosophy, adjustments, Vinyasa sequencing, backbends, advanced asana, and other topics for a variety of other teacher training programs. I am so happy to have been a part of my dear friend, Rebecca Fink’s, vision in helping to create a 200-hour training of our own as well, offering the best of what we know (our next session begins February 2018). 

Starting in the Fall of 2015, I was entrusted by my teacher, Dr. Christopher Chapple, to launch the LMU Yoga Philosophy Certificate Program in Orange County. So far, we have had courses on the Upaniṣads, and the Bhagavad Gītā, Yoga Sūtras, and the Haţha Pradīpikā. In March 2018, we will be exploring beginning Sanskrit . Upcoming classes will include: Star Wars and Eastern Spirituality, Sāṃkhya, and beginning Sanskrit (geared for yoga teachers and students).

We meet at Be the Change Yoga on Wednesday afternoons. 

When not on the mat, or busy writing, my passions are playing with my kittens, gardening (we grow a lot of our own produce), mountain biking, hiking, and traveling with my husband.