Journey Into Yoga

EQUANIMITY - An Evening with Sharon Salzberg
Tuesday March 13, 2012 - 7:00pm - 9:00pm

Through guided meditations, talks and Q&A periods, this evening will explore the practice of equanimity.

Equanimity is a spacious stillness of mind that allows us to be with things as they simply are. It does not imply indifference, however. Rather, when equanimity is present, it is the ground out of which sustained transformation can occur. It is also the foundation for the boundless arising of other qualities of the mind and heart, such as lovingkindness , compassion and sympathetic joy (joy in the happiness of others.).

Suitable for both new and experienced meditators.

Sharon Salzberg has been a student of meditation since 1971, and leading meditation retreats worldwide since 1974. She teaches both intensive awareness practice (vipassana or insight meditation) and the profound cultivation of lovingkindness and compassion (the Brahma Viharas).

Sharon's latest book is the New York Times Best Seller, Real Happiness: The Power of Meditation: A 28-Day Program, published by Workman Publishing. She is also the author of The Force of Kindness, published by Sounds True; Faith: Trusting Your Own Deepest Experience, published by Riverhead Books; and Lovingkindness: The Revolutionary Art of Happiness, published by Shambhala Publications.

She has played a crucial role in bringing Asian meditation practices to the West. The ancient Buddhist practices of vipassana (mindfulness) and metta (lovingkindness) are the foundations of her work. "Each of us has a genuine capacity for love, forgiveness, wisdom and compassion. Meditation awakens these qualities so that we can discover for ourselves the unique happiness that is our birthright."

For more information about Sharon, please visit: www.SharonSalzberg.com.

$25 prepaid check, $26 by PAYPAL (see below) or $30 at the door.
For prepaid tickets send your check to: The Rivertown Center for Yoga & Health (mailing address) 141 Ashford Ave. Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522
Please include your name, email & # of tickets.
We will send a receipt and have tickets waiting for you and your name on list.

Monthly Meditation Series
with Shivanand Thomas Amelio
Monthly series, Mondays 7:00pm - 9:00pm
2/27, 3/19, 4/16, 5/7
$115 registered and paid by Feb 1st, $125 after.
Pay by credit card /PayPal (additional fee applies)

Meditation, True Calling, and the Alchemy of the Chakras

Our calling--or Dharma, in Sanskrit--is not necessary one clear impulse. Some know it from an early age and it remains unchanged. Others knew it; but now long for something new, and as yet undefined. For others it is a multi-layered, or ever-evolving, revelation. Finally, there are those who claim to have never known, or even thought about, their calling. In this class series we will explore how our subtle energy centers--chakras--each have their own calling, agenda, and purpose. We will get to know the language of each one, and how to harmonize one with the others, so that inner conversations of doubt and conflict are less and less prominent. We will explore mantras and symbols associated with the chakras, and also use other yogic practices, including: vichara (inquiry), pranayama (breath practice), mudra (hand seals), bandha (energy locks) andkumbhak (breath holding) to bring greater clarity and harmony to our inner life. Special focus will be placed on the 5th Chakra, the center of speech, listening, and creative expression--and the center from which our calling reveals itself to us, and from which our deep soul wishes can come true.

Accomodating Life's Changes: A Journey into Yoga
Women's Yoga and Meditation Retreat
Sept 15 -18, 2011 at Kripalu Center
When people quote Bette Davis saying, "Getting old is not for sissies" they most often are referring to the challenges that the natural aging process poses, especially in our Western culture. This workshop for women begins with the premise that simply living inevitably entails navigating through life's challenges and changes, mental as well as physical, throughout adulthood and most especially in mid-life and older years. We will also begin with the view that living a life with grace and ease, recognizing our innate peace and wisdom is possible for each of us regardless of our situation. We'll explore in a safe community of women through the practices of yoga & meditation, didactic teachings with time for group sharing and question and answer periods to support our spiritual inquiry. We will develop practices that participants can take home as part of their ongoing journey. Brahmnani, Jashoda & Sylvia love teaching together. They interweave the Buddhist and Yogic perspectives with joy and lightness of heart. Bring yourself, your body with whatever strengths and limitations it has, your journal and your sense of humor. All levels of experience are welcome.
For further information and to register click here
Kripalu registration number is 1-800-741-7353

About Brahmani (bio page)
About Jashoda (bio page)

Monthly Circle: GREEN YOGA SANGHA group
with Hasita Nadai: at Hasita's home
Fridays 7:00 - 9:00pm - $ Donation
We will be listening and discussing the teleseries on " Evolutionize Your Life" given by Michael Dowd and Connie Barlow. They will show us the tools and practices to decode human behavior, eliminate self judgments and create a big hearted life filled with purpose and joy.
For registration and to connect with Hasita please email agathenadai@earthlink.net

Teenager's Yoga
with Hasita & Laura
Calling ALL high school students! Feeling stressed out by the start of the year, too much homework, worries about the future?
Relax and de-stress with us as you begin your week.
- LEARN TECHNIQUES FOR FINDING YOUR CALM CENTER AND STRETCH YOUR BODY, MIND AND SPIRIT WITH YOGA. -THROUGH YOGA WE WILL DISCOVER OUR PLACE IN EVOLUTION AND THE UNIVERSE.
BEGINNERS ESPECIALLY WELCOME, BUT ALL LEVELS WILL FIND A COMFORTABLE PLACE IN THIS NON-COMPETITIVE CLASS.

YOGA & MEDITATION
with Brahmani:
Moderate & All Levels
Meditation is the primary practice in yoga and in these classes you will receive clear direction in your meditation practice that can be carried into your asana practice. These classes are an invitation to dive into the practices of sitting meditation,passive (Yin) and active yoga, pranayama and deep reflection. Each class will be filled with yogic practices integrated with inspirational dharma teachings. Brahmani weaves yogic practices and teachings together with a Buddhist perspective, which allows us to access a deeper connection to the wisdom of our own true nature and realize that peace is possible right now. The contemplative teachings and practices are offered to support their integration into daily life.

Transcendental Reiki Attunement and Training
Brahmani
Reiki I, II, III
Allow the magic of Transcendental Reiki to help you heal your life and the planet. Reiki Master Brahmani Liebman will help you to open to Transcendental Reiki energy through four attunements. Learn the hand positions for use on yourself and others.
See details under Reiki trainings

TRANSCENDENTAL REIKI I
During this day are opened to the healing and transformative power of Transcendental Reiki energy through four attunements. You will learn the history of Reiki and the hand positions for use on yourself and others. There will be time for receiving and giving of this healing energy. (If you have already done Reiki elsewhere, the special Transcendental Reiki will elevate your existing energy.)

TRANSCENDENTAL REIKI II
Transcendental Reiki II (SECOND DEGREE REIKI)
You will receive second degree Reiki initiation through two more attunements, which give you access to transmit an even higher level of Reiki energy. Along with the hand positions, you now learn to use the potent hand symbols that focus the Reiki energy where you wish; concentrate on mental/emotional healing; and send long-distance healing where needed.

TRANSCENDENTAL REIKI III
You receive three more attunements, further deepening and expanding your Reiki energy, and learn two more healing symbols to use in your Reiki practice. In addition you will connect your inner Reiki guide. This level III is a must if you wish to work on others regularly.

JOURNEY INTO YOGA & MEDITATION RETREAT
Liberating the Mind from Unhappiness
Join Sylvia Boorstein, Brahmani Liebman & Jashoda Edmunds at Omega Institute
July 31 - Aug 5th
This is a workshop combining teaching and practice of mindfulness meditation and sessions of hatha yoga practice that reflect particular aspects of the teachings. The experience of the instructors has been that reprising the essence of each meditation instruction into a yoga/movement session intensifies the impact of the teaching. It seems to us that learning happens both cognitively, contemplatively, and viscerally. The overarching message of this workshop is the potential of mindfulness to free the mind from habits that cause suffering through both direct insight and inspiration. We'll use the structure of the Seven Factors of Enlightenment, the Buddha's description of the dynamic interplay of Concentration, Tranquility, Equanimity, Rapture, Investigation, Energy and Mindfulness that come together to both elicit insight and stabilize its integration into enduring mind habits that are more and more free of suffering, mind habits that lead to happiness. Sylvia Boorstein, Jashoda Edmund and Brahmani Liebman have been friends and colleagues for years, teaching together in this combined meditation and yoga practice form at centers in the United States as well as in Mexico. Their integrative style of teaching emphasizes making the entire experience as seamless as possible, both because it is a pleasant and comfortable way to practice and also because it underscores the singularity of the basic message. All the practices will be suitable for people with varying levels of experience and physical agility. Adaptive ways of participating in the program will be offered to anyone who needs them. www.eomega.org

Continuing Education for Yoga Teachers
with Brahmani & Jashoda
These credits may be eligible toward Yoga Alliance 500 Hour Registry.

Private Sessions to discover your Blueprint
Brahmani
Discover your personal blueprint for physical and mental, spiritual path, desires, dharma career nature, creative play and relationship.

Silent Retreat Days
Within each of us there is a silence - a silence as vast as the universe. We are afraid of it ... and we long for it. .... Walking, eating a meal, dancing, breathing, chanting - anything can be a practice as long as we are mindful, as long as we are fully present. There are many ways, many traditions. To bring silence into our bodies and minds, we must learn to be quiet. We begin by being still. If a period of physical stillness is all we can muster, that is enough. We have begun to practice. If we can learn simply to follow our breath in a steady way - attending to the inhalation and the exhalation until we feel that we are no longer breathing, but are being breathed - we have grown in practice. The point of practice is not to perform, but to participate - not to achieve specific experiences, but to develop a new relationship to experience itself." Gunilla Norris We will spend our time in silence in the practices, the tools of awareness, of sitting & walking meditation, yoga & pranayama. To enhance our inquiry, Brahmani will give teachings while in the practice to encourage our opening and gradual uncovering of our authentic nature and to support our living in awareness, our true home.

We have a network of healing practitioners chiropractic, acupuncture, massage and Amma massage that we are happy to connect you with.