Happenings

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.

There’s still time to join the Birchwood Center Level I Yoga Teacher Training. Our Teacher Track program provides in-depth information and the fundamental tools for teaching yoga, and serves as a foundation for one’s journey towards becoming a yoga teacher. The Deepening Your Practice program is designed to support those students who do not want to teach but wish to deepen their own practice and understanding of yoga. To learn more call us to schedule a private interview. 

The seven month training begins on September 10th.  All serious applicants are required to attend a private interview.

Call Birchwood Center 845-358-6409, or email info@birchwoodcenter.com. Visit www.birchwoodcenter.com to download a teacher training application or to learn about the details.

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.

New!  Teen Yoga with Jill Lobo for ages 13-17 - Wednesdays 5:30-6:30, a six week series beginning May 12. Drop in fee: $14

Teen Yoga 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. Teens learn postures, breathing techniques, meditation and relaxation in a non-competitive, age appropriate atmosphere.

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

Join Julie Lifton on Saturday May 1st, 2-4:30pm 

When we practice yoga there is a therapeutic clearing of our energy that transcends language, even culture. Our healing can be greater when we become conscious of some of the universal, cultural and personal notions that are already present in our yoga practice. In this workshop we will use our imaginations to explore yoga on another level.  Along with a deep asana practice, discussion and writing will be included.  Come and experience another way that yoga can enhance your evolution! Open to all levels.

Fee: $30

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

Join Betsy Ceva for a Merging Movement & Meditation Workshop Sunday, April 25, 9:45am -12:45pm at beautiful Ananda Ashram in Monroe, NY.

Don’t miss the Moving Mantras Performance Group’s yoga-dance concert on Saturday April 24, 8:45pm in the Blue Sky Center at Ananda.

Have you ever felt  restless in your seated meditation? Does your body protest and your mind jump fron thought to thought? Merging Movement & Meditation workshops 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: $50

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. 

The retreat with Betsy and Charlene was a relaxing and fun yoga time at Sole East Resort in Montauk. 

The retreat included asana, pranayama, and meditation classes, two nights/three days at beautiful Sole East Resort in Montauk, with delicious meals, a hike in Montauk’s pristine nature preserves, and a performance by Yogi G, father of Komic Yoga.

Join us next year!