Happenings

 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.

Relax, Renew, Breathe – Join us for a calming, nurturing, blissful evening of gentle movement, Restorative Yoga and meditation.

Taught by Charlene Bradin and Betsy Ceva on Friday, September 24th, 6-8:30pm

This peaceful Moving Into Restorative Yoga & Meditation Evening begins with a Hatha Yoga practice, moving through gentle postures to soften the body. Transitioning into Restorative Yoga, students will have the opportunity to open, reflect, and to receive the benefits of complete relaxation. We will end with a guided meditation focusing on the natural mantra of breath. This workshop is appropriate for students of all ages, sizes and experience, and beneficial for those needing a more gentle approach to yoga, students healing from injury, and anyone looking to soften the body or balance an active Yoga practice.

Fee: $30.

Space is limited to 17 students. Please register early to reserve your place. To find out more email us: info@birchwoodcenter.com.

To register, click here or call 845.358.6409.

Yoga for Kids ages 7-12 with Betsy Ceva, Thursdays 4:30-5:30

Eight weeks: Oct 7, 14, 21, 28,  Nov 4, 18,  Dec 2, 9

The Birchwood Center approach to Yoga for Kids incorporates creative, enjoyable exercises that engage the whole child. Yoga for Kids fosters self-esteem, concentration, physical and emotional equilibrium, and an overall sense of well being. Kids learn movement games to increase listening skills, concentration and the ability to collaborate, as well as postures, breathing techniques, meditation and relaxation, all in an age appropriate setting. Betsy Ceva has created this special program through her experience teaching dance, movement, and yoga to children since 1970.

Single class $14 – Eight class card $104

Parents can do Yoga too!  Parents, take your own class while the kids do yoga, Thursdays 4:30-5:30 during the eight week Yoga for Kids session. Everyone is welcome!

Single class – $14 – Eight Class card $104. Regular class cards also accepted.

For information call 845-358-6409 or email info@birchwoodcenter.com

Teen Yoga  with Jill Lobo for ages 13-17, Wednesdays, 5:30-6:30

Eight Sessions: Oct 6, 13, 20, 27,  Nov 3, 10, 17,  Dec 1

Teens learn postures, breathing techniques, meditation and relaxation in a non-competitive atmosphere. Teen Yoga with Jill Lobo is designed to resonate with adolescents, offering tools for managing stress, and promoting fitness and health that can benefit students in other aspects of their lives.

Single class $14 – eight class card $104

For information call 845-358-6409 or email info@birchwoodcenter.com.

Psychic Development Workshops with Nancy du Tertre at Birchwood Center

7:30-9pm on September 13, October 11, November 18, December 13

Workshops are $30 each and there is no obligation to attend all workshops. All levels of students, beginners and advanced are welcome.

Nancy du Tertre is a trained psychic detective, spiritual medium, medical intuitive, energy healer, paranormal investigator, attorney and author.

For information contact Nancy directly: ndt@intuitivision.com or visit www.intuitivision.com

Join us for the unifying experience of yoga with Betsy Ceva on the first day of summer. Class will take place on the upper level of Memorial Park.  Free!

This free mixed level class is a fun way to celebrate the summer solstice and for Birchwood to give a little back to our yoga clientele for all their support and patronage. Please bring your own sticky mat. We also suggest you bring water and a towel. Open to anyone from the Nyack community at large.

For information call 845-358-6409 or email info@birchwoodcenter.com

To register, click here or call 845.358.6409.

Transforming Our Image of Body Through Yoga

Saturday July 10th, 2-5pm  Fee:$40

The 21st century has brought a new awareness about our relationship to the environment, to healing and to each other. But despite that, we are still faced with a rigid and paralyzing image of female beauty in this country that excludes the majority of women. Rather than use our precious time and wise minds towards moving the collective dialogue forward, many women are taking up time trying to keep up with an impossible aesthetic ideal and punishing ourselves when it can’t be met.

Sometimes the body becomes and obstacle to spirit rather than the vehicle for spirit. In this workshop we will challenge participants to take a good look at how we, as women, define ourselves by how we look rather than how we feel and who we truly are. Through the use of yoga philosophy, mantra, breath and yoga asana we will explore what it means to be embodied and begin to redefine our vision of beauty, body and our true selves.

Liz Schulman E-RYT 500, and Jennifer Mayer RYT 200 both teach at Birchwood Center. To learn more about them visit the bio page of our web site.

For information call 845-358-6509 or email info@birchwoodcenter.com

To register, click here or call 845.358.6409.