Instructor Spotlight: Alexia Blumberg

This month I am highlighting an instructor on the Main Line who fits into this month’s back to school box. That’s because she just went back to school herself, starting her junior year at Radnor High School.

Meet Alexia Blumberg.

This 16 year old is already a certified yoga instructor who teaches all over the Main Line at places like Pure Energy, Bulldog Yoga, Verge and AFC Fitness. Yes, I did a double take too when I first learned that a teenager had enough discipline, motivation, maturity and confidence to complete the yoga teacher training and start teaching yoga classes at some of the most highly regarded yoga studios in the area. I had to meet this girl! And I had to have her teach a yoga class for this community!

I met Alexia this summer at Goodness Bowls, one of her favorite spots and walkable from her Radnor home. It is also conveniently around the corner from Bulldog Yoga, where Alexia’s love story with yoga began. My first question for Alexia is what prompted the then 15 year old to have the idea to take the 200 hour yoga teacher training— something that I’d love to do myself but lack the confidence and dedication that this young woman clearly has!

Alexia had been a dancer for most of her childhood but when she stopped dancing regularly she wanted to continue to move her body every day. Without having a school sport like most of her friends, she started walking (too young to drive) to Bulldog Yoga in Villanova to take classes. She immediately took to yoga and loved what it did for her mentally. In that hot yoga room, Alexia forgot about the stresses of her day. For sixty minutes, it was Alexia and her yoga mat and those motivating beats that Bulldog does so well.

After about a year as a student at Bulldog, Alexia started to toy with the idea of getting her 200 hour yoga teacher training certification. She wanted to learn more about yoga. She wanted to be held accountable to a big goal. And ultimately, she wanted to teach yoga. I know, it’s pretty damn impressive for someone her age to even consider it.

Alexia asked one of her favorite teachers and mentors, Allison Sobel, if it was even possible for her to become a yoga teacher. Knowing Alexia well, Allison didn’t see why her age should prevent her from enrolling in the new teacher training program that Bulldog was coincidentally rolling out the following month. Alexia also discussed the idea of getting her teaching training certification with Kristin Page, another very well known Main Line yoga teacher: “When Alexia told me she wanted to do yoga teacher training, I thought to myself, ‘I can’t think of a better ambassador for this amazing practice of yoga than Alexia!’ I got to witness her growth through the process and am now thrilled to be able to take her classes. Alexia brings a depth of steadiness and a quality of feeling both strong and light to her classes. She truly embodies the most essential aspects of this practice.” Both Kristin and Allison encouraged Alexia to go for it! And there could not have been a better duo of mentors on her side.

So last October, Alexia started The Journey 200 Yoga Alliance teaching program led by Allison Sobel and Michelle Baldino. For four months, she attended these training sessions at Bulldog two nights a week and every other weekend. There is your dedication and accountability! While the other kids her age were attending Friday night football games and weekend trips to the mall, Alexia was focused on her goal. In addition to her regular school load, Alexia now had yoga books to read. But because she enjoyed learning about yoga and mindfulness so much, she didn’t consider training hours to be work. Alexia said everyone in her training group came in nervous but the group— which consisted of women of all ages, Alexia obviously being the only high schooler— was very supportive of one another. And before they knew it, they were making up their own yoga sequences and teaching each other.

In January, Alexia taught her first class at Bulldog to a room full of the other trainees in her program, as well as friends and family. She was nervous but also excited. Alexia was most worried that she would forget her sequences, but in the moment, she thrived. She immediately felt comfortable and felt the support from the room. After successfully leading her first class, Alexia was now even more excited to start teaching.

Alexia leads a recent teen yoga class at Bulldog Yoga.

Alexia teaches a monthly teen class at Bulldog now. She also teaches teenagers at Pure Energy in Paoli on a regular basis. Alexia can be attributed for bringing more teens in this area into yoga studios. She strives to make everyone feel welcome in her classes, just as Bulldog’s instructors did for her. Alexia has also done some pop-up’s at Verge in Wayne and AFC in Radnor, teaching adults. While she told me that she does get nervous (I mean, who wouldn’t?!), she does not let that get in her way. Again, I applaud this young lady for her unwavering courage and laser focus on her goals.

I am thrilled that Alexia will be teaching a very special Community Class for teens and parents on September 22, 2023 at 6:30 pm. You can sign up on the Bulldog website by going to the Villanova schedule and clicking on “book” for 9/22 at 6:30 pm. Teens are free with a paying parent. And all teens (with or without a parent) are welcome to join this special Community Class. Following Alexia’s class, stick around for dinner together provided by Home Appétit. And one lucky teenager will win fun yoga props from Yoga Hustle to help inspire their practice.

Whether you plan to join us on September 22, let’s get to know your yoga teacher, Alexia:

Favorite Kind of Yoga to Teach: Flow

Favorite Yoga Pose: Pigeon

Favorite Music: Country (Yes, she is working on a country playlist for a Bulldog class. I am so there!)

Favorite Leggings: Lululemon’s Align Leggings

Favorite Yoga Top to Wear: Alo

Favorite Workout Other Than Yoga: Strength training

Future Plans: To keep teaching and bring yoga to student athletes and dancers. (I love it, Alexia!)

I hope that you are inspired by Alexia’s story to dream big, whatever your age or abilities may be. And Alexia and I hope to see you on September 22 at 6:30 pm at Bulldog Yoga in Villanova.