Special Events

All events take place at the Birchwood Center unless otherwise noted.

Spring Workshop Series: Merging Movement & Meditation and Prana Yoga

Betsy Ceva, Charlene Bradin
May 10th 2008 | 2:00-5:00 | $40 each

Merging Movement & Meditation with Betsy Ceva
May 3│2:00 - 5:00 pm

If you were unable to attend the Ananda Ashram retreat with Betsy, here's your chance to experience her unique approach to meditative movement.

The heart of this workshop focuses on merging a creative asana practice with meditation and mantra to explore the essential question, "Who am I?" Using intention, breath and repetition students will enjoy a focused asana practice that ranges from gentle to vigorous with finely detailed attention to balancing the physical structure, finding equilibrium in body and breath, and equilibrium of mind. Through creative exploration we will investigate meditative movement using asana, mudra, walking and other repetitive movement patterns. Find your way into "now" with the body through inner examination, letting go of old ideas, and looking from a new perspective.

This workshop is open to experienced beginners through advanced students. Be prepared to move and be moved.

Prana is universal life force or chi, the dynamic working force that supports the body and all its movements. Prana Yoga is an energizing practice that awakens awareness of the subtle movement of vital life force using asana (hatha yoga postures), specific breathing techniques, and chanting of bija mantras (the seed sounds of the chakras) to increase pranic flow for healing and transformation. In this workshop we will explore the seven chakras (vital energy centers) in relation to asana and meditation, and we will work with pranayama and chanting while in postures to build and move healing energy.

Betsy Ceva's experience as a professional dancer, choreographer and dance instructor since 1970 has helped shape her unique style of yoga. In 1984, while living and dancing in San Francisco, she met Shri Brahmananda Sarasvati and began a study of mantra, meditation and yoga philosophy. Through his influence she created the concept of Moving Mantras ~ Merging Movement & Meditation using movement, breath, repetition, and intention to explore the question, "Who am I?" Betsy has taught Hatha Yoga, meditation and Moving Mantras to all levels since 1992. She is the co-founder of Birchwood Center in Nyack and directs Birchwood's Yoga Teacher Training.

Charlene Bradin is the co-founder and director of Birchwood Center and the Wonder Of Touch Massage Therapy, received her Prana Yoga certification from Jeffrey Migdow and has studied yoga with Paula Heitzner, Betsy Ceva and others. Charlene has taught yoga since 1998. Her experience as a Licensed Massage Therapist and sense of humor has helped shape her yoga teaching style.

Kirtan Celebration

Kamaniya & Tommy Be
May 16th 2008 | 6:00-9:00 | $20. admission $15. Seniors and under 18

Celebrate Divine love in this evening of ecstatic chant with beloved Kirtan leader Kamaniya and acclaimed multi-instrumentalist Tommy Be. Through chanting of the holy names we open our hearts to Divine union and achieve the harmony that is yoga. Come enjoy this joyful world-groove Kirtan and surrender to the river of devotion!

Please join us! 6-7pm Mantra Chanting & Meditation, 7-9pm Kirtan.

Kamaniya leads ecstatic Kirtan and shares sacred chants and healing songs from diverse spiritual traditions that are intended to deepen one's connection to nature and the Divine. Known for her joyful expression, Kamaniya’s love for kirtan and Sanskrit chanting is contagious. She has sung and recorded with several well-known devotional singers and will soon release her debut CD with Tommy Be.

Tommy Be, also known as Tommy Brunjes, is a master of the frame drum and multiple world percussion instruments. Tommy has performed and taught internationally and composed and produced a wide array of recordings, including the award-winning Trance Union and Vibratribe.