Together with Julie Emden, Lou Haber, Ashira Katz and Mark Russo, immerse into the 5 elements around us and within us through the eyes of our Jewish sages and yoga practices. Each day we will draw from Torah Yoga teachings and beautiful nature around us.
All prices are inclusive of meals and program and teacher fees.
Monday & Tuesday – Adamah – Earth
Grounding yoga, Torah roots, Farm tour.
Wednesday – Mayim – Water
Flowing yoga practices, Forest bathing, Waterfall hike.
Thursday – Aish – Fire
Illuminating Torah teachings, Fiery yoga practices, Campfire stories and songs.
Friday – Neshima – Breath
Pranayama, Breath of life Torah teachings, Restorative yoga.
Saturday – Merchav – Space and expansive rest
Prayer, Torah study, Yoga nidra.
Sharon Epstein, Yoga Alliance, E-RYT-500, YACEP, LCAT
Sharon Epstein fell in love with yoga at the tender age of 16 years old. She began her journey studying and performing as a dancer and actor, later transitioning into the field of the healing arts as a movement therapist and yoga teacher. Sharon has been working as a yoga teacher for over 17 years. She loves expanding her knowledge through the lens of yoga and in particular integrating Jewish spirituality into her practice and offering.
She is the co-author of Into a Jewish Holiday Year with Yoga, a Workbook and Guided Journey For Body, Mind and Soul. Sharon lives in Great Neck, New York, with her husband, Ron. Together, with great pride and joy, they have raised two sons.
For more info see: www.LevShalemYoga.com
Diane Bloomfield, creator of Torah Yoga and a certified Iyengar yoga instructor
Diane Bloomfield is the creator of Torah Yoga and author of two books. Torah Yoga: Experiencing Jewish Wisdom through Classic Postures and Playing With Fire: Hebrew Doorways to the Jewish Soul.
Diane lives in Jerusalem where she teaches Torah and Torah Yoga classes live and on the web. Diane also teaches Torah Yoga retreats and workshops in the United States at the Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center and at synagogues throughout the United States and Canada.
She is a certified Iyengar Yoga Instructor and a Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapist.
For more, please see http://torahyoga.com.
Julie Emden, Halprin Practitioner, Yoga Alliance, E-RYT-500, YACEP
Julie Emden, E-RYT-500, Halprin Practitioner (she/her), is the Founding Director of Embodied Jewish Learning (EJL) and the Embodied Jewish Wisdom Network, a global collective of leaders and seekers of movement practices infused with Jewish wisdom. A graduate of five fellowship and teaching certification programs related to her work as a Iyengar-based Yoga instructor, dancer, Jewish educator, and movement/expressive artist, Julie has over two decades of experience guiding others in somatic explorations of Jewish wisdom teachings as a resource for living in balance and wholeness.
Julie has served on faculty for various organizations and EJL hosts an Advanced Teacher Training; a Global Directory and Class Calendar for leaders of embodiment in the Jewish world; podcasts, classes, workshops, coaching, mentorship and more. More info at www.embodiedjewishlearning.org.
Nancy Wolfson-Moche, Certified Torah Yoga teacher, Yoga Alliance, RYT-200
Nancy Wolfson-Moche is a certified macrobiotic counselor, cookbook author, and culinary arts educator. Her book, Vegetables for Breakfast from A to Z, invites the reader to re-imagine breakfast, lunch, and dinner by enjoying plant-based meals with locally grown produce. Nancy presents eating as a sacred Jewish practice, creating symbolic meals and menus infused with meaning and ritual.
Baba Lou Haber, certified Yoga Teacher
Baba Lou Haber has led yoga in many Jewish settings including the Menschwork Jewish Men’s Retreat and a number of synagogues in the NY Metro area. He teaches Torah Yoga at Merkaz Community High School for Judaic Studies in CT and Kaia Yoga in CT and NY. He presently is studying to be an Ayurvedic Health Counselor. He is a certified Yoga Teacher
Ashira Sheila Katz, PhD, BCBA
Ashira Sheila Katz brings a deep love of Jewish spiritual practices that cultivate awareness of the Divine connection within us all. She has completed multiple trainings in Jewish spirituality and brings over 18 years of experience in leading meditation groups and retreats that include modalities of chant, silent meditation, yoga/embodied prayer and Chasidic storytelling to communities nationwide. Ashira is also a licensed psychologist specializing in Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Mark Russo, certified nature therapy guide
Mark Russo has been a practicing veterinarian for 51 years. He has completed several 2-year training programs including Torah Yoga Teacher Training, Jewish Meditation Teacher Training and Davening Leadership Training Institute. He has served as chair of the Board of Directors of Elat Chayyim and Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center, treasurer of Hazon and chair of the Isabella Freedman Advisory Council. He is a certified nature therapy guide (forest bathing), and though a complete musical klutz endeavors to unlock the magic of his Celtic harps.