Yoga
Namaste!
What is Yoga?
Yoga comes from a Sanskrit word which translates to ‘Concentration on attaining the changes desired in our lives’. Yoga looks to bring our mind, body, and spirit into harmony. Our modern-day view of yoga guides us on one part of the study of Yoga.
The Philosophy of Yoga focuses on 8 limbs:
- Yamas (Ethical & Moral Ideal)
- Niyamas (Spiritual & Self-discipline Ideals)
- Asana (Physical Practices)
- Pranayama (Breath work – our Life Force)
- Pratyahara (Withdrawal of senses / Ignoring Distractions)
- Dharana (Concentration / Focused Thoughts)
- Dhyana (Meditation)
- Samadhi (Liberation / Union with a Divine)
Schedule of Yoga in Crocheron Park
Yoga with Ambeka is now at Ft Totten on Mondays at 6:15pm - and will be back in Crocheron this spring! Click here below to review the upcoming schedule. We will also be hosting another expanded Yoga Centering Series with Ambeka in late Summer/early Fall 2026 and Spring 2027, thanks to a generous grant from NewYork Presbyterian.
International Yoga Day
Saturday, June 27th 2026
Thank you to everyone who made IYD 2025 a wonderful success! We are grateful to our event sponsor NewYork Presbyterian and our fiscal sponsor FJC. Look out for more about next year's event!
This is a special day to celebrate International Yoga Day at Crocheron Park!
The day will begin with a class of Gentle Yoga with Ambeka Khadse, our resident park yoga instructor who volunteers her time weekly for the community. We will then have Sunhae from Bayside Meditation offer a 30-minute meditation practice that will include breathing exercises, body-mind relaxation, and sitting meditation to relieve stress and enhance your mood for the day. Our special guest speaker, Abha Karki Rajbhandari, PhD, explores the relationship between brain and body, her chat will focus on the connection between neuroscience and yoga.
Yoga will be on a mat, meditation & the talk are ADA accessible. Please reach out to us via email at friendsofcrocheron@gmail.com to reserve a chair.
Funding for this program generously provided by a grant from NewYork-Presbyterian
Thank you to our sponsors and speaker! Click on icon below to learn more about them!
Yoga Centering Series
The Seven Part Yoga Centering Series: Finding Your Inner Balance is a wellness event in Crocheron Park, Bayside. Classes are led by Ambeka Khadse, the sessions take place on Saturdays from 9:00 to 10:30 AM, on the lawn near the Tennis House. The series is free and open to the public thanks to grant funding. The series explores the chakra system through themed yoga practices.
- September 6th, Finding Stability and Grounding (Root Chakra - Muladhara)
- September 20th, Inspire Creativity and Abundance (Sacral Chakra - Svadhisthana)
- October 4th - Embrace Your Inner Power & Confidence (Solar Plexus Chakra - Manipura)
The series continues in Spring 2026, with sessions on Build Connection & Deepen Compassion (Heart Chakra - Anahatha), Open Up Communication & Expression (Throat Chakra - Vishuddha), Connect to Your Vision & Intuition (Third Eye Chakra - Ajna), and Act and Live Purposefully (Crown Chakra - Sahasrara)
The grant funded series is will also be back for another year, thanks to NewYork-Presbyterian and Friends of Crocheron's fiscal sponsor is FJC - Foundation of Philanthropic Funds. Friends of Crocheron & John Golden Park, a 501c3 nonprofit, is collaborating with NYC Parks and The Flourish Compass to host these series. For groups of six or more, participants are asked to contact organizers for an alternative event arrangement.
Please bring a yoga mat and water with you. If you need to yoga mat, you must come 10 minutes early to allow us time to bring one out for you, also they are on a first come first serve basis. Please contact friendsofcrocheron@gmail.com with any questions.
This special yoga series with Ambeka is thanks to generous support of the NewYork-Presbyterian mini-grant. We appreciate their commitment to community health and wellness in Our City
Yoga Centering Series with Ambeka
