Happenings

Join Betsy Ceva for a Merging Movement & Meditation Retreat Friday, April 23-Sunday, April 25 at beautiful Ananda Ashram in Monroe, NY.

This three day yoga immersion retreat weekend includes a Moving Mantras performance on Saturday April 24 at 9pm.

Have you ever felt  restless in your seated meditation? Does your body protest and your mind jump fron thought to thought? Merging Movement & Meditation retreats combine guided movement experiences with divine play and the exploration of Self through the body to access joy, delight and connection.

Included is a focused asana practice that ranges from gentle to vigorous with detailed attention to finding equilibrium in the body, breath and mind. You will investigate meditation in motion using mudra, walking and movement improvisations. You will also learn to embody a word or intention to chant with the whole body and mind. 

Whether you are an experienced dancer, a yoga practitioner, or someone who simply enjoys experession through movement, this weekend retreat will open your heart and free your creativity.  No previous experience is necessary - everyone is welcome.

Fee: $160 does not include accomodations.

To learn more about Moving Mantras visit www.movingmantras.com. For information about the retreat or to register contact ananda@anandaashram.org or visit www.anandaashram.org. 

If you haven’t tried Michelle Dawson’s level II/III Vigorous Vinyasa class on Tuesdays, 7-8:30pm, now is the time!

We love her style so much and so will you. Pick up a free coupon for her class in the Birchwood office and be moved by Michelle’s creative and inspiring teaching.

Suggested for intermediate through advanced level students. One coupon per person please. This offer is good through March 31st.

Enjoy!

Michelle Bulla’s Tuesday 4:45-6:15 class is now Gentle Yoga/Moving Into Restorative.

Ideal for anyone who wants a restful, meditative practice, this class strengthens, tones, and stretches the body with a gentle yoga practices transitioning into restorative yoga postures offering students the opportunity to open and reflect, and to receive the benefits of complete relaxation.

Drop in anytime! For more information email us: info@birchwoodcenter.com

Yoga for Every Body!

New studends can enjoy one month of unlimited yoga for only $40. See our schedule at www.birchwoodcenter.com to choose the class that’s best for you. Drop in anytime before April 30th to take advantage of this great offer.

Namaste!

Discover the Ancient Practice of Yoga Nidra

Sunday, April 11th 3-5:30pm

What if disease isn’t just disease? What if depression isn’t just depression and stress isn’t just stress? What if so many of the problems we experience physically, mentally and emotionally are just manifestations of a variety of deeper causes? The truth of the matter is there is no mind without the body and no body without the mind. What we refer to as body, mind, thoughts, emotions or energy are not separate, but are all part of one seamless system. To treat it as anything less limits our healing potential. Discover the ancient practice of yoga nidra (yogic sleep) that uses a series of body, breath and awareness techniques to take you into a profound level of stillness. Performed in a comfortable reclined position, this technique:

Prevents disease and supports the optimum health of the body from the inside out.

Interrupts the patterns by which thought forms can affect the health of the body.

Resolves root energetic imbalances that manifest as mood swings, excessive worrying of stress.

Allow us to manage the life we have with greater clarity, serenity and balance.

Kamini Desai, PhD developed the core program curriculum for the Amrit Yoga Institute and teaches across the country.Trained at Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health, with degrees from Smith College and LaSalle University, Kanini is certifies in contact partner yoga, yoga therapy, Danskinetics, and holistic health education. Kamini’s versatile body of teachings applies principles of yoga to everyday life. Her corporate clients have included Sony, Mars Candy Company, and the Department of Defense in the Netherlands.

Pre-registration by April 4th: $35 ~ After April 4th: $40

Call Birchwood to register or email us: 845-358-6409, info@birchwoodcenter.com

A Yoga Dance Workshop with Helena Mertens

Friday March 5th   6:30-9pm   Fee: $35

Dancing Yoga is an exhilarating, creative experience. Join us for a mixture of high energy workout, soulful connection and exuberant fun!

Dancing Yoga will not be foreign to Birchwood students who are familiar with Betsy Ceva’s Moving Mantras - both combine the beauty and joy of danceing with the prayerful connection of Yoga. However, Dancing Yoga is choroegraphed on the mat and is accompanied by different kinds of music. For this workshop we will dance to the Beatles.

You will enjoy this workshop more if you are and intermediate level Yoga practioner or have some dance background.

To register call Birchwood - 845-358-6409 - or email info@birchwoodcenter.com

Friday February 19th, 6-9pm, Fee: $30

Join Betsy Ceva to learn how to create a daily meditation practice. You will learn the benefits of meditation, how to sit, about the workings of the mind, a a variety of meditation techniques including Trataka (training the gaze), Ham ‘Sa breath meditation, and the Koshas (five bodies). We will also talk about the obstacles for the Yoga practitioner.  This workshop is part of the Birchwood Center Teacher Training program but everyone is invited.

Call to register: 845-358-6409 or email info@birchwoodcenter.com.

Massage and Stretch Together for Couples

Sunday February 14th, 2-6pm, $100 per couple

Connect with your partner through breath, movement and touch. Learn how to stretch together and give each other a really great foot, shoulder and neck massage. Betsy Ceva and Charlene Bradin will join forces for this fun and soothing experience. Materials are included.  Everyone is welcome!

Call Birchwood to register: 845-358-6409 or email info@birchwoodcenter.com.

Moving Mantras~Merging Movement & Meditation with Betsy Ceva

Saturday February 13th, 1:30-4:30  Sponsored by the Yoga Teachers Association

YTA members: $35     Non-members: $45

Have you ever felt restless in your seated meditation? Does your body protest and your mind jump from thought to thought? Have you ever imagined that by embodying your meditation you could remember your true self and let it out to play? Moving Mantras-Merging Movement & Meditation workshops combine guided movement experiences with divine play and the exploration of Self through the body, peeling away self consciousness to access joy, delight and connection. Come prepared to move and be move in the safety of like souls. Letting go of the inner critic, open you heart and free your creativity in the spirit of non-judgment. No previous experience is necessary - everyone is welcome!

The workshop includes a focused asana practice that ranges from gentle to vigorous with detailed attention to finding equilibrium in body, breath and mind. Through creative exploration you will investigate meditation in motion, using mudra, walking, and other movement patterns.

To learn more about Betsy Ceva and Moving Mantras visit www.movingmantras.com.

For more information about the workshop or to register call: Michael Sassano 914-478-0694 or email info@ytayoga.com

Dear Yogis and Yoginis,

We are happy to announce the Tuesday evening Vinyasa class formerly with Nicole Barbato will now be taught by Michelle Dawson. Please join us in welcoming Michelle to Tuesday evenings at Birchwood. and prepare to experience this fresh energy in a wonderfully invigorating level II/III Vinyasa class, which begins January 5th. Please note: the class starts at 7pm, not 7:30 as formerly scheduled.

Michelle Dawson is a wonderful Yogi and Henna Artist who will also be offering the GoddessAsana Workshop on Saturday January 16th at Birchwood. As a teacher Michelle encourages her students to push the boundaries of their own practice. With a teaching style enriched with experience and study, her students marvel in her invigorating, uplifting, and balanced approach to Yoga. Her classes are an extension of her love for art and music, and her influences include Mehndi, the ancient Indian art of adorning the body with Henna. Michelle is an Ananda Ashram-certified teacher.

We also send warm wishes for continued well being to Nicole Barbato, former Tuesday evening instructor, who is now preparing for a much anticipated move overseas. We are excited for Nicole as she enters this new and life changing journey. She is with us in spirit as the Tuesday evening reigns are turned over to Michelle.

We look forward to seeing you advance your practice in the New Year at Birchwood Center

Remember: Tuesdays 7-8:30, level II/III Vinyasa class with new teacher Michelle Dawson starts January 5th.

Namaste,

the Birchwood Center Staff

info@birchwoodcenter.com