Master your self.
Charlene’s Gentle Yoga class is a fluid, moving experience that inspires strength and stability in body and mind. Charlene encourages her students to create space in their bodies through conscious movement and a gently invigorating practice. Charlene’s empathy and compassion inspires a spirit of self-care. Open to all levels, abilities, and special needs.
With a practice deeply rooted in yoga philosophy, Lynne hopes to inspire her students to unearth their intuitive creativity through intelligent sequencing, mudra, and pranayama. Lynne’s Vinyasa Flow classes are challenging but adaptable, balancing the asana work with breath and meditation to turn the attention toward inner awareness. Lynne encourages students to dig deep, live in the moment, and practice with a light and open heart.
This class is taught live online on Sunday mornings at 10:00am ET. Click here to find a class and sign up ›
Get up and go! Start the week with an early, one-hour class designed for experienced beginners and up. This flowing, invigorating practice encourages mindful awareness of breath and alignment, and will refresh your perspective as you prepare to take on the challenges of the week ahead.
Charlene Bradin grew up in Rockland County, NY where she still resides. As a teenager she began working in her family’s retail business and stayed for 14 years. Working in the family store gave her a well-rounded understanding of how to run a thriving small business.
In 1989 Charlene left retail to follow her dream of becoming a massage therapist. She had always envisioned herself helping and caring for others, and with massage therapy, her dream became reality. Charlene honed her intuitive and manual skills at the Swedish Institute in NYC, and became a successful, much sought-after massage therapist.
Charlene attended her first yoga class in 1993 at Integral Yoga Institute in Manhattan and found a new passion. After studying with several teachers Charlene found Paula Heitzner, who introduced her to prana and the chakra system. She attained her yoga teacher certification with Jeffrey Migdow and became a Certified Prana Yoga Instructor. In addition, Charlene is a Certified Life Coach, supporting her clients through all types of life transitions.
In 1996 Charlene and Betsy Ceva began offering yoga classes and massage therapy from their home. In 1998 they moved the business to a commercial space in downtown Nyack and created Birchwood Center for Yoga & Massage Therapy. Besides teaching yoga and giving massage treatments, Charlene managed the overall operations and Birchwood Center grew into one of the largest yoga centers in the Tri-State area. Birchwood thrived until the 2020 Covid19 pandemic hit and after 22 years of hard work and devotion Birchwood Center shut its doors permanently.
Currently, Charlene is the co-founder of Shamani Yoga with her partner in life and in yoga, Betsy Ceva.
Betsy Ceva specializes in Gentle Yoga, Restorative Yoga, and Hatha Yoga for beginning through advanced level students. Betsy’s life-long experience as a modern dancer, choreographer, and dance instructor has shaped her unique style of yoga. Her classes have been described as magic, with expertly crafted sequencing that builds from the first pose to the ultimate letting go. Betsy has taught yoga since 1992.
In 1984, while living and dancing in San Francisco, Betsy met her Guru, Shri Brahmananda Sarasvati and began a study of mantra, meditation, and yoga philosophy. Through his teaching and guidance, she created a method to merge movement and meditation called Moving Mantras™, using movement, breath, repetition, and intention to chant with the whole body. Betsy teaches Moving Mantras workshops and shares Moving Mantras in her asana classes.
Betsy is the former owner of Birchwood Center in Nyack, NY, nurturing Birchwood since its inception in 1998 until it closed permanently in 2020 due to the Covid19 pandemic. While at Birchwood she created and directed the Center’s 200- and 500-Hour Yoga Teacher Trainings, Gentle Yoga and Restorative Yoga Immersions. She supervised the Birchwood yoga program which included a full schedule of daily yoga classes, special workshops, study circles, meditation classes and more. Betsy’s journey with Birchwood Center for 22 years expanded her mastery as a teacher and her love and understanding of yoga and yoga philosophy. Currently, Betsy is the co-founder of Shamani Yoga with her partner in life and in yoga, Charlene Bradin.
Level I/II Hatha Yoga with Charlene challenges the mind to stay focused in the present moment through a moderately vigorous physical practice combined with breath and moments of inner reflection. Her fun, personalized approach connects to each student, inspiring their best selves. Open to beginners and experienced yogis.
Betsy’s Stretch & Flow classes for Level II & Up are based on the foundation of non-harming and the yogic principles of self-discipline, self-study, and self-surrender. Her choreographed asana sequencing, strong attention to technique, graceful transitions and breath inspire her students to be creative, focused, and courageous in their practice. Open to experienced yogis.
Meditation has been proven to ease anxiety, reduce physical, mental, and emotional stress, and to help find meaning and purpose in life. Betsy’s meditation class begins with gentle movement to settle the body, breathing practices to clear the mind, then 20 minutes of silence, ending with time for Q&A. Open to everyone.
This class is taught live online on Friday mornings at 7:45am ET. Click here to find a class ›
Charlene's Gentle Yoga class is a fluid, moving experience that inspires strength and stability in body and mind. Charlene encourages her students to create space in their bodies through conscious movement and a gently invigorating practice. Charlene’s empathy and compassion inspires a spirit of self-care. Open to all levels, abilities, and special needs.
Betsy’s Gentle Yoga uses a flowing asana practice and intentional breathing along with moments of meditation to invite a tranquil mind. Her inspired teaching is a transformational combination of movement prayer and inner reflection inside a field of non-judgment. Betsy’s confidence in her students’ ability to move and to grow helps them believe in themselves. Open to all levels, abilities, and special needs.