My name is: Erika Halweil.

My stomping ground is: Sag Harbor, NY.

I’m known for being: Wildly committed to the uplifting of this beautiful life experience; utilizing ancient tools of self-discovery from the Vedic arts and sciences, practices for harmonizing with the natural world and rituals for realigning with Spirit.  

I'm talking about: In-person and virtual group gatherings, workshops, retreats, extended coursework and personalized packages to provide structure and support as we return to, and live from, our true essence.

You can find it at: erikahalweil.com; at Yoga Shanti & Satori House (in Sag Harbor); in your home; and various domestic and international retreat locations.

Before I started this work, I was: There has been nothing before. This is the path and I am indebted to it. What I hope to share and facilitate has evolved since I was a teenager, just as I have evolved. I began sharing the wonders of practice, self-inquiry, self-love, the power of devotion and our capacity for true radiance and vitality in 1998.

My interest was sparked when: I read Brave New World by Aldous Huxley at 13. I was blown away by the conflict that exists between Spirit and progress. He wrote: “God isn’t compatible with machinery and scientific medicine and universal happiness. You must make a choice. Our civilization has chosen machinery and medicine and happiness.” Shortly after, I read everything he ever wrote. His books, essays, interest in Vedic philosophy, and a desire to understand reality led me to the study of Sanatana Dharma, the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, and the writings of Krishnamurti.

I started working with clients when: Right after I graduated from my first extended yogic studies program/teaching certification, in 1998. NYC was alive with curious, adventurous people, eager to experience something deeper than the obvious.

The idea behind it is: Essentially, this is an exploration of Now. Aligning ourselves with what is eternal, instead of what is temporary. It is an inquisitive approach to rediscovering self; expanding your light embodiment; and living a life of awe, gratitude and love.Over time, we experiment with ancient tools and techniques to create your unique toolbox, map and inner journey to the essence of you.

What makes it different is: Your life’s purpose is to become the clearest, brightest expression of your own unique light. There is no “one way.” The “one way” must be filtered through your uniqueness to cultivate an individualized approach that facilitates your journey to deep inner-knowing, which effortlessly leads to inner and outer harmony and radiance. My hope is to awaken, encourage and support each individual, as they journey to their most aligned and radiant life experience, in body, mind and soul.

My favorite lesser-known detail is: I am just about to re-launch my website—an interactive platform to inspire through various modalities, information, philosophies, activities. A community to encourage and remind each of us that we can, immediately, start to feel brighter and more enlivened. In addition to virtual classes, an on-demand library and a treasury of free resources, I will be launching a series of courses. The first will open for registration this fall: Open Up To Reality As Divine Consciousness. The whole concept is reclaiming the body as a temple and the mind as sacred space. Inviting ritual into your daily life to elevate everything you do and to co-create with the living energy of bliss, love, gratitude and ease.

I hope my clients walk away feeling: In awe of their magic, hopeful, inspired and energized.

Having support and guidance is so important because: Just like in nature, our ability to thrive is connected to variation, innovation, adaptation, transformation. Everything is welcome. Everything is essential. But please remember, that each practice, each tool, each technique, each teaching is only as valuable as its ability to help you move into alignment with your inner authority. There is no end to our capacity for distraction, and the interference that challenges our ability to listen to our soul’s voice is becoming more pronounced. Stay connected to people and things that remind you of that, while supporting you as Mother Nature does (unconditionally and with patience and love.)

A coach who really helped me personally was:

Eddie Stern—through his commitment, honest reflection and sharing, dedicated study and reverence.