Happenings

Come deepen your experience of yoga, going beyond asana with an introduction to Sanskrit, the science of vibration.

Open to everyone – Friday January 14th, 6-9pm.  Fee: $30

In this workshop we will learn proper pronunciation of posture names, chakras, bija mantras, and more through chanting of the Sanskrit alphabet. We will learn to chant mantras such as Gayatri, Mahamrityunjaya Mantra, Om Sahana Vavatu, Om Namah Shivaya, and discuss their meantings.  

PremaShakti studied Meditation, Yoga-Vedanta philosophy and Sanskrit directly with Shri Brahmananda Sarasvati, and served at Ananda Ashram for 22 years in the areas of Management, Finances, Guest Services and Work Study. She is currently a co-director of the School of Hatha Yoga, and has trained with Paula Heitzner, Raji Thron, Sandra Kozak, Dharma Mitra and others. Prema has also trained at the Kaivalyadhama Institute in India where she attended the Teacher Training Certificate program. Prema has studied Pranayama directly with Om Prakash Tiwari, a Master Pranayama teacher.

To register, click here or call 845.358.6409.

Hello Yogis – Another beautiful snow fall and Birchwood was indeed closed this morning. Now there is blue sky and clear roads and we will be open for our evening classes. So if you need your yoga fix, come to Jerry’s 5:45 level II class , 7:15 level II/III Vinyasa with Andrew (subbing for Jen), or Charlene’s level I at 7:30. Please email us or call the studio and leave a message if you have any other questions or concerns: info@birchwoodcenter.com, 845-358-6409.

Om Shantih, Betsy 

Join us on Thursday December 16th, 4-8pm for the final big sale of tee-shirts, tanks, long sleeve shirts, men’s tee-shirts, hats and more, all designed by Julie Lifton.

Come for the sale, for some delicious refreshments and to connect with your fellow yogis and In SolidatiTee lovers! This is your last chance to get In SolidariTee designs. Don’t miss it!!

Be part of the Birchwood Center Teacher Training for one evening!  Friday, December 10th, 6-9pm

Learn how to conncet with a partner through fun and inventive hands-on posture assists. Using contact improvisation, basic hands-on  stretching and spotting for specific postures, this evening will encourage compassion, heart opening, and how to teach, move, and live from a place of connection.  Taught by Betsy Ceva and Charlene Bradin.

Fee: $30

To register, click here or call 845.358.6409.

At Birchwood Center we believe that everyone can benefit from the healing practice of yoga and we invite beginners through advanced students to experience our wide range of yoga styles including the transformative practice of Vinyasa Yoga. Join us for Vinyasa Yoga at all levels -come to learn the fundamentals or jump into an advanced class!

Vinyasa Yoga level I/II beginners welcome- This class introduces beginners as well as more advance yogis to Vinyasa Yoga in an  environment that is relaxed, nurturing and creative: Monday 5:45-7pm – Wednesday 9:15-10:30am – Saturday 4-5:30pm

Power Vinyasa level II/III – A physically challenging flow of heating postures that builds endurance, stamina, and strength: Monday 7:15-8:45 – Tuesday 9:15- 10:45 – Wednesday 7:15-8:45 – Saturday 7:30-8:45am

Precision Flow Vinyasa level III - A challenging, sweaty breath based flow with strong emphasis on alignment includes bandha practices, backbends and inversions: Sunday 9:30-11 

Powerflow level III- Embraces the flow of Vinyasa with strong combinations of asanas to develop endurance, strength, flexibility and grace. Emphasizes proper alignment and attunement to breath, as well as the philosophical aspects of the practice: Thursday 9:15-10:45

Drop in for class anytime. New students can recieve a month of unlimited classes for $40!

For more information call 845-358-6409 or email info@birchwoodcenter.com. Visit www.birchwoodcenter.com for the most updated schedule.

Three Classes on November 25th 8:30-10am – All proceeds will go to People to People.

What better way to give thanks and share with our community than by moving body, mind, and spirit? Please join us on Thanksgiving morning at Birchwood Center with three Hatha Yoga classes taught by Charlene Bradin, level I/II, Betsy Ceva, level II/III, and Gentle Yoga with Lynda Leavitt. 

The fee for these special classes is $20 – more is welcome is participants are so moved – and all proceeds will go to People to People, a local charity that feeds, clothes, and takes care of needy kids and families in Rockland County.  Due to the donation theme, these classes are “cash or check only”. No credit cards or class cards will be accepted. Please register to reserve your space. Call 845-358-6409 or email info@birchwoodcenter.com.

For information about People to People visit www.peopletopeopleinc.org.

All other regularly scheduled classes will be cancelled on Thanksgiving Day.

 Sunday November 14th, 2-5pm  Fee: $45

Freedom in the body and the mind come partially from the balance of strength and flexibility in both. Length in the back of the body is essential to creating that balance, and the ability to go quietly inside is required to create that opening. Forward bends can build these qualities and are a rich and complex source for inner exploration. This category of asana needs deep attention and patience. Come and explore the depths of forward bending.

Jill Ganassi has been studying yoga since 1996 and teaching since 1998. She is a Certified Iyengar Yoga Instructor and is dedicated to practicing and teaching yoga in the method and tradition of B.K.S. Iyengar. Jill is also a NYS Licensed Master Social Worker and is certified in Erickson hypnosis. To learn more about Jill visit www.jillslakehouse.com.

To register, click here or call 845.358.6409.

Join Betsy Ceva merging movement & meditation to access joy, delight, and connection. 

Three Sundays, 2-5pm.  November 21st, December 19th, and January 30th.  $30 per workshop or $75 for all three.

All of us have goals, desires, and dreams. Sometimes we stand on the threshold of realization with our deepest aspirations just out of reach. The first step to fulfillment of our goals is to distill our real desires into words. Choosing and using our words with thoughtful intention is a powerful tool for transformation. Moving Mantras merge movement and meditation with the power of word. They are embodied formulas of moving symbolism, using shape imagery, movement and repetition to chant with the entire body and mind, imprinting positive thoughts and intentions into the psyche.

Open to anyone who enjoys self-expression through movement, we will combine guided movement experiences with divine play and exploration of the Self through the body. You will experience meditation in motion through improvisation, mudra, repetitive movement patterns and a flowing asana practice that ranges from gentle to vigorous. Studnets will learn to compose their own Moving Mantras and will receive a Moving Mantra choreographed by Betsy Ceva for their own personal practice.

Come prepared to move and be moved in the safety of like souls, letting go of the inner critic. These workshops will open your heart and free your creativity. No experience is necessary, everyone is welcome.

Three Sundays, Three Themes:

November 21st “Being Bold”

December 19th “Forgiveness”

January 30th “Embodying Desire”

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

To register, click here or call 845.358.6409.

Join us for a very special afternoon full of connection, discovery, and amazement with an all levels vinyas class, a Merging Movement & Meditation Workshop and a joyful Yoga-Dance performance choreographed by Betsy Ceva.

Sunday October 17th, 2-5pm at Indian Rock Yoga, 18 Indian Rock Plaza, Montebello NY

The progam:

2-3:15 – All levels Vinyasa Yoga class with Shawna Emerick

3:15-4 – Merging Movement & Meditation Workshop with Betsy Ceva

4-5 – Performance by the Moving Mantras Performance Group

Come for the entire program or the performance only. Class, Workshop and Performance: $35    Performance Only: $15

Stretch, strengthen, and breathe into a peaceful mind-body connection with the all levels yoga class. Immediately following the class we will delve deeper within, merging movement and meditation, compassionately guided by Betsy Ceva, the founder of Moving Mantras. you will learn a Moving Mantra for Healing and discover an incredible technique of meditation in motion using the most precious tool of all… your body! Then stay and be moved with an exciting performance by the Moving Mantras Performance Group, a diverse company of Rockland, Westchester and Manhattan based dancers and yogis who perform Moving Mantras, a joyful integration of yoga, meditation, and dance. The Moving Mantras Performance Group presents transcendent performances that will dazzle you, move you, and capture your spirit.

Email info@indianrockyoga.com or call 845-357-0459 to reserve your space. Please indicate if you will participate in the entire program or come for the performance only.

For directions to Indian Rock Yoga visit www.indianrockyoga.com.

To learn more about Moving Mantras go to www.movingmantras.com.

Uncover your own personal, unselfconscious, inspired home practice using Kriya Yoga – Discipline, Self Awareness and Creative Inspiration

Taught by Liz Schulman on Saturday October 9th, 2-5pm.  Fee: $40

In this workshop we will explore Tapas (discipline), Svadhyaya (self awareness) and Ishvara Pranidhana (action without attachment to results/creative inspiration) to find ways in which to create a personal home practice. Using discussion, journaling, meditation and asana this process will enable you to feel confident extending your yoga practice beyond the confines of a class and will help you to tap into your inner teacher. You will leave the workshop with three home practices that you have designed and the inspiration to create many more. Prior yoga experience is suggested. Materials are included.

To learn more about Liz Schulman visit the “Instructors” page on our web site.

To register, click here or call 845.358.6409.