Happenings

Come Experience the Joy of Sharing Silence ~ Sunday May 22, 3-5:30

Hatha Yoga is like learning to play the instrument of the body, and meditation like learning to play the instrument of the mind; both practices bring us greater health and peace. For many of us, meditating with a group provides support and energy that can give a much deeper meditation experience. In this workshop, taught by Julie Lifton, we will explore several approaches to meditation such as mantra, breath, visualizations and Tonglin, both silent and guided, with stretching and movement in between.

Whether you want to establish a home practice of simply want to come for the afternoon experience, this workshop is appropriate for beginners ans well as those with an established practice of meditation.

Fee: $30
To register, click here or call 845.358.6409.

Join Jerry for his annual Yoga Hike in Harriman State Park under the light of the silvery moon!  Saturday evening, May 14th - Hike begins at 5:30

Take a moonlit hike to Lake Pond - stretch, meditate and enjoy the light of the moon.

The hike to Lake Pond is an easy walk through the woods on a wide grassy path. The evening will consist of meeting at 5:30 at the parking lot at Kanawake Lake where we will car pool to the trail head. After entering the trail we will do some breathing, centering and light stretching before walking into the woods. Once we reach Lake Pond we will do an easeful yoga practice and meditate on the night sky and the moon. We plan to return to our cars by 10pm.

Fee: $30 - Registration in advance is required. You will recieve directions to the starting point when you register.

To register, click here or call 845.358.6409.

More Julie, More Michael! You asked and we heard you…

New! Gentle Yoga classes with Julie Lifton are ongoing now: Tuesdays and Fridays 11:30-12:45

New! Vinyasa Yoga classes with Michael Penque:

• Level I/II on Sundays 12:00-1:30 begins April 16th
• Level II/III on Tuesdays 9:14-10:45 ongoing now
• Level II on Saturdays 11:30-12:45 ongoing now.

To learn more about Julie or Michael visit www.birchwoodcenter.com. For information, email us: info@birchwoodcenter.com

Namaste!

Healing From the Inside Out ~ Two Workshops with Kamini Desai on April 2nd. Don’t miss this special day!

Workshop 1: Breaking the Patterns that Bind You - Understanding the Cycle of Karma   1:30-4pm

Do you find that your life often circles around the same issues in many different disguises? In this workshop we will understand what Karma is and how it can work against us. We will discover the basic principles that break limiting cycles and foster our ability to lead a full and happy life. We will experiment with several practical tools including Yoga Nidra to help break karmic in the midst of life.

Workshop 2: Mastering Your Emotions   5-7:30pm

What are emotions? How do they work? How can we have emotions without allowing them to get the best of us? What is the “yogic way” to deal with emotions? These are all questions we will answer during this workshop with a specific yoga-based practice you can use to resolve held emotions and work through reactions.

Everyone is welcome. Please wear comfortable clothes.

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 La Salle University, Kamini is certified in contact partner yoga, yoga therapy, massage therapy, Danskinetics, and holistic health education. Kamini’s versatile body of teachings applies the principles of yoga to everyday life.

Pre-registration by March 26: $35 per workshop or $60 for both.  Registration after March 26: $40 per workshop or $70 for both. For further information call Birchwood Center or email info@birchwoodcenter.com.

To register, click here or call 845.358.6409.

Join Michael on Sunday March 6th, 12 noon- 1:30pm with his new level I/II Vinyasa Yoga class.

Michael Penque was first attracted to the ideal of the spiritual warrior at an early age when he was introduced to Star Wars. He continued to develop his practice through martial arts and began a more formal study of Zen Buddhism in 1999. After “playing footsy with samsara” for several more years he finally found his beloved Teachers of the Gelukpa lineage of Tibetan Buddhism to whom he is extremely grateful. In 2009 he graduated from the Conquering Lion Yoga Teacher Training Program and now teaches at different locations in and around Westchester County. Michael’s classes integrate flowing vinyasa with a strong emphasis on spiritual philosophy, intention and meditation. His goal is to pass on the precious teachings of yoga so that others may reach a state that is free from suffering and filled with limitless joy.

Sophie’s level I/II class on Thursdays at 4:30 has been cancelled effective immediately.

Designed for ages 7-12, Yoga for Kids with Betsy Ceva goes beyond postures!  Thursdays 4:30-5:30.

 Eight week session: February 3, 10, 17, March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31

The Birchwood Center approach to Yoga for Kids does not stop at asana practice.  Incorporated into the classes are creative, enjoyable exercises that work to develop the whole child, all in a fun, age appropriate environment.

$14 per class or $104 for an eight class card.

To learn more visit the Yoga for Kids page at www.birchwoodcenter.com.   

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

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with your partner or bring a friend or family member for a fun and soothing experience!

Connect through breath, movement and touch, learning how to stretch together and give each other a really great foot, shoulder and neck massage. Birchwood founders Betsy Ceva and Charlene Bradin will join forces for this very special workshop. Materials are included.

Saturday, February 19th, 2-6pm   Fee: $150 per couple

 To register, click here or call 845.358.6409.

GoddessAsana with Michelle Dawson will incorporate asana, mudra, meditation, and Mendhi as a means to honor and invoke the inner Goddess.

Friday, February 18th, 6-8:30pm  Fee: $40 pre-registration, $45 at the door.

This workshop begins with an asana practice that will be a meditative, restorative, slow flow Vinyasa format. Michelle will pay special attention to certain mudras and postures that evoke specific deities and ideas symbolizing divine powers. The workshop also includes impromptu kirtan with invocations led by Jennifer Ananda. To conclude the workshop, all participants will take part in a traditional Mendhi ritual. The end result is a feeling of inner connectedness with the Divine Feminine and a gorgeous henna design that lasts for up to three weeks. GoddessAsana is open to all levels of experience; the only requisite is an open heart and creative spirit.

To register, click here or call 845.358.6409.

Go beyond the form, alignment and function of your poses and bring more healing and awareness to your yoga practice! Taught by Julie Lifton.

Sunday March 6th, 2-4:30pm

In this workshop we take the work we began in Phase I to a deeper level.  We all carry within us energetic traces of past events. Yoga has a way of unlocking stuck or dormant energy, which may be the result of injury, trauma, overuse, aging, and so on. We don’t need to know how or why we have locked our skeletons away iin those closets, but what a relief it could be to coax them out a bit with imagination, love, and patience. As in Phase I we will use meditation, writing, discussion and asana practice to find archetypal imagery that can facilitate the release of some of this stuck energy and bring healing in.

Fee: $35

Please note: If you took Yoga Archetypes in May 2010, you may pay a discounted rate for Phase II.

To register, click here or call 845.358.6409.