Happenings

Please help our teachers-in-training complete their requirements for certification.

As part of their yoga teacher training experience participants in the Birchwood Center 200-hour Teacher Training program will hold practice classes on Saturdays, beginning January 22nd through March 12th. Everyone is invited free of charge to come and support the teachers-in-training. Students who attend these classes will be asked to offer friendly but honest and helpful critiques. Please call the studio to reserve your place - space is limited: 845-358-6409 or email info@birchwoodcenter.com.

Mar 5:  12-1 Addison Reese    2-3 Cristyn Girolami

Mar 12:  12-1 Kathleen Sabrizzi    2-3 Christine Girandola

Come share in this solemn, holy experience that is also tons of fun!

Kirtan is the ancient sacred practice of devotional chanting in a call and response style done traditionally throughout India. If you like to sing, clap, bang on a percussion instrument, or are simply open to new ways to pay homage to your highest Self, the Divine Presence, God, Krishna, or whatever signpost to the Ineffable you like to use, then we encourage you to come and give it a try.

With Sharada Devi and Friends - Every first and third Saturday of the month, begins January 15th. $15 suggested donation. For information email sharadama@aol.com.

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

Sunday January 30th, 2-5pm. Fee: $30 

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 art, therapy and prayer, a  formula 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.

Come 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.

To register, click here or call 845.358.6409.

Join the Birchwood Center Teacher Training Program for one day! Anatomy and Physiology for Yogis with Gina Martin.

Open to everyone - Sunday January 16th, 10am -5pm.  Fee: $100

Anatomy & Physiology Section I, 10am-1pm: The structure of the skeletal system, joint types and functions, vertebral types and functions, classifications for joints, flexibility vs. stability, major appendicular joints.

Anatomy & Physiology Section II, 2-5pm: Basic muscle physiology and structure, classifications for muscles, agonist, antagonist and prime movers, major groupings of muscles, palpation of major groups.

Gina Martin is a Shiatsu Sensei and Licensed Massage Therapist who specializes in eastern bodywork and herbal medicine. Gina is a Certified Instructor of Five Element Shiatsu with the American Organization of Body Work Therapies of Asia (AOBIA), and has been an anatomy and physiology instructor at the Swedish Institute College of Massage Therapy since 1987.

To register, click here or call 845.358.6409.

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.