EAST ROCK SHALA: From Morgue to Corpse Pose
A NEW EAST ROCK ESTABLISHMENT BRINGS ROOTED YOGA TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD
Photos by Lori Bonazzoli
East Rock Shala was established by Maya Deshmukh in her pursuit of offering practitioners in the area a deeper means to access the foundational aspects of yoga—often overlooked in Westernized practices. For Maya, this means embracing the Ashtanga vinyasa branch of yoga and bringing in deep expertise from the field through led practices. Teachers like Stan Woodman also guide students to reconnect with the original Sanskrit, fostering a deeper appreciation for the eight limbs of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras and their implications for practice.
For other teachers at the studio, like me, it’s a space to explore and apply the classical practices beyond just asana. Through Maya’s authentic approach, the Shala has created a vibrant energy within the New Haven yoga community. A teacher I study with and deeply admire, Khushi Malhotra, lovingly inquired about the Shala and is now offering Yoga Nidra and classical Hatha Vinyasa Krama, traveling to us all the way from the Himalayas.
The word shala means "school" or "home," and to me, East Rock Shala is a home where I continue to learn and create a space that honors the foundational aspects of yoga. I’ve been practicing yoga since I was 17, and was a studio owner for 18 years. A studio is more than just a physical space; it’s a hub, a home, a place of self-inquiry among like-minded individuals, where we can practice and discuss yoga with devotion and respect for its roots.
It’s in the studio that I witness people experience their own vital life force energy—the breath. In the space of practice, people finally begin to dive deep into their bodies.
The setting of East Rock Shala is cozy and quaint—welcoming and warm, especially with the newly installed heating system that brings our hot Vinyasa classes to a palatable 95 degrees. The large windows and the fireplace in the practice space create a sanctuary-like ambiance, nestled among the trees. We practice on the second floor of an old funeral home that has been transformed into a women-owned small business healing center. The Shala shares the building with Freeman Chiropractic and Circle of Life Midwifery Clinic. The other business owners are brilliant and kind people, deeply committed to the wellness of all beings.
Sharing space with people like this is special. There’s a radiant energy that flows through the building and the people who work there. It’s quiet, nurturing—perfect for learning. As a teacher, I can use my “inside voice,” and that, in itself, brings a sense of relaxation and peace.
All classes are 75 minutes long, giving both teachers and students the opportunity to slow down—and sometimes, to come to a full stop.