Happenings

Choreography by Betsy Ceva

Friday November 14th 8:30pm at Ananda Ashram. $15 at the door.

A Moving Mantra expresses the body’s inner voice through shape, imagery and movement, translating the harmony of meditation into dance. It is a formula of moving symbolism, creative expression and prayer.

 A diverse company of Nyack based yogis will perform this integration of Yoga, meditation and dance, choreographed by Betsy Ceva. Presented at Ananda Ashram in Monroe, NY as part of the Merging Movement & Meditation Yoga Immersion Weekend, everyone is invited to this special performance.

To learn more about the performance or the retreat, call Ananda Ashram, 845-782-5575 or visit www.anandaashram.org.

A Yoga Immersion Weekend Retreat with Betsy Ceva at Ananda Ashram

Friday November 14 - Sunday November 16

This weekendand  retreat at Ananda Ashram merges movement, meditation and mantra to explore the essential question “Who am I?” Usingintention, breath and repetition, students will enjoy a focused asana practice that ranges from gentle to vigorous with detailed attention to balancing the physical structure, finding equilibrium in body, breath and mind. Through creative exploration you will investigate meditation in motion, using mudra, walking, and other movement patterns. Find your way into “now” through the body, through inner examination, letting go of old ideas and looking from a new perspctive. Open to experienced beginners through advanced students.

Merging Movement & Meditation Yoga Immersion Weekend includes the Friday evening Moving Mantras performance at 8:30.

Workshop Fee: $160 (does not include accomodations) Register early, space is limited. Call Ananda Ashram: 845-782-5575 or visit www.anandaashram.org.

Be Prepared to Move and Be Moved

With Gina Martin

Two Saturdays, 3:45-7pm November 22nd and December 20th

Presented in two sections, Anatomy and Physiology for Yoga teachers and practitioners is an engaging and unconventional workshop on the muscles and bones. Gina Martin presents the material in an experiential, fun way that includes movement and palpation within the lecture format. These workshops are part of the Birchwood Center 200-hour Yoga Teacher training program - all other interested students are invited to attend.

Gina Martin is a Shiatsu Sensei and Licensed Massage Therapist who specializes in eastern bodywork and herbal medicine. Gina has been an Anatomy & Physiology instructor at the Swedish Institute College of Massage Therapy since 1987.

Fee: $35 per session. Call Birchwood Center to register (845) 358-6409, or email info@birchwoodcenter.com. Register early - space is limited.

The Friday evening level I/II class taught by Jessica Hans has been canceled, effective immediately. There will be no class on Friday nights until further notice.

An Otiyot Hayyot Movement Workshop with Judith Rose

Sunday November 9th, 2-5pm.  Fee: $40

In the tradition of mystical Judaism, this face of the Divine is called Shekhina. In yogic tradition, She is referred to as Shakti. Etymologically, the word Shakti is related to the word Shekhina, which derives from the Hebrew root, Shakhen, meaning “to dwell” or “to rest upon”.  In this workshop we will engage in an intense exploratiojn of the Hebrew word Shekhina, utilizing the dynamism and beauty of Otiyot Hayyot, literally meanning “Living Letters”. Together we will learn how to “em-body” the five focus letters and weave them choreographically into a graceful and meditative body-chant. As we move together in the passionate space of Mystery, we will put forth the intention of awakening to the Presence of the Divine that rests within all of us. 

Judith Rose is a movement artist, educational consultant, and award winning poet. She is the founder and director of Vital Movement and an Otiyot Hayyot practitioner certified by Dr. Yehudit Goldfarb. Judith maintains a private wellness practice in Nyack.

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

With Betsy Ceva, Liz Shulman and Charlene Bradin

Friday October 17th, 6-9

Beyond Asana; Yoga Sutras workshop is designed for the serious Yoga student who is ready to delve into the philosopy behind the practice. The Yoga Sutras, authored by the sage Patanjali sometime between the fourth and second centuries, is an exposition of the essential philosophy and techniques of Yoga in the condensed form of 196 sutras. Sutra means “thread” or “string”. The Yoga Sutras bind together the essential aspects of Yoga as a thread binds the beads of a necklace.

In this workshop we will examine Chapter I, which answers the question “What is Yoga?” We will also study the Yamas (restraints) and Niyamas (observances), the first and second step on the eithg-fold path of Yoga.

This workshop is part of the Birchwood Center Teacher Training Program.

Fee: $35. 

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

Thanks to all of you, Birchwood Center for Yoga and Massage is flourishing.  Throughout the month of October, we’ll honor our first double-digit birthday with these terrific events. Stay tuned for details on each one:

• Family Fun Yoga with Betsy
  Sunday October 5th, 2-3:30
  For kids six years and up with their adults.
• Free Intro to Yoga with Charlene
  Sunday October 12th, 2-3:30
  For new students - includes a free one week unlimited class card.
• Raffle to benefit breast cancer
  Tickets are $5 each
  All contributions will be donated to Susan G. Komen for the Cure
• Three winners will each receive one of the following prizes:
  • One hour private class with Betsy
  • One hour massage with Charlene
  • $100 gift certificate to Birchwood Yoga Essentials
• Sale on Yoga!
  Each week two different classes will be discounted to $10 per class.
• 10% off in the store all month!
• Yoga Challenge!
  Take ten classes in ten consecutive days and win a Gift Certificate for a half hour massage.
• Free Birchwood T-shirt with any purchase of a class card.
• 10th Anniversary Party
  October 26th, 4-8pm
  DJ, drinks, and hors d’oeuvres.

On Tuesday September 9th Nicole Barbato will take over the 7:30-9pm level II class designed for advanced beginners and intermediate students.  This class will strengthen and stretch the body with a flowing, invigoration style, focusing on conscious breathing while in postures.  Nicole’s background as a ballet dancer fostered her love of movement and deep connection to her own body. A certified yoga instructor, Nicole encourages her students to be true to themselves, always listening to their inner voice to either challenge or modify their asana practice. She also encorages them to stay deeply connectied to their breath, keeping the focus inside and meditative from beginning to end.

A workshop with Dharma Das

Saturday September 27th, 2-4pm

Never before has it been so taboo to “be here now”. Our mad minds flit from one unfulfilled desire to another, constantly distracted, yet seek autonomy and peace. By fusing our ordinary mind with breath awareness, the vibration of mantra, and establishing a daily devotional practice, we can gain stability. This worksop focuses on the use of proper breathing, the vibrational aspects of mantra and developing a sense of devotion and the sacred in daily life.

Fee: $25. Find out more about Dharma Das or pre-register by calling (201) 286-2179 or email dharmadas@earthlink.net.

Chakra Workshop with Linda Barone

Saturday September 20th, 2-5pm

Join Linda in this profoundly illuminating, fun, interactive, and experiential workshop. 

Each Chakra contains its own energetic vibration encompassing the elements of nature, sound, color, emotion, intellect and spirit. They each have a specific quality or ‘consciousness’ representing major areas or levels of human life and culture. Participants will be introduced to these energetic dimensions through basic yoga postures, breathing, and chanting the seed sounds that correlate to the specific chakras. The psychological dimensions will also be examined by delving into specific emotional identities flowing through each of these centers. You will come away from this workshop with a deeper sense of awareness of your chakras, as well as a greater sense of wonder and insight into the perennial question - “Who Am I?”

Fee: $35.  Call Birchwood Center to register (845) 358-6409, or email us info@birchwoodcenter.com.