Yoga & Christianity

Honoring the Body - Christian Yoga

Six Thursdays
February 26 - April 2, 2009
6:00 pm - 7:15 pm » $90

The idea of "discipline" has gotten a bad image in our culture - of something staid, inhibited and restrictive. It is in fact a powerful tool for creating freedom and lightness in our lives. It simplifies our relationship with desires and the ties that so often bind us. » read more...

Download the flyer (with registration info) [.doc]

Church Retreat Opportunity - Faith, Intention, & Acceptance

Christianity has a rich tradition of inward practice and outward service to move us closer to God. Jesus modeled these practices, and serves as our guide and intercessory. The Science of Yoga has much to offer a congregation in support of Christian practice and devotion. The following from yoga can deeply enrich your church retreat:

• Physical practices which can relax and strengthen the body
• Breathing practices which soothe the nervous system and focus the mind
• Meditation techniques using Christian mantras and prayer beads (mala or rosary)
• Chanting in English, Latin, or other source Christian languages
• Lectio Divina in a context of a breath, movement, and ritual practice
• Body prayer - slow, prayerful movements of intention
• Rituals done with Christian readings, chants, art, sound, devotion
• Information and philosophy which explains Christian practice and devotion
• Reflective Journaling

These group activities can be adapted to the physical abilities of those present, and harmonized with the culture and traditions of your wonderfully unique church. See sample schedule for a one-night retreat which illustrates how yoga can be incorporated into a retreat program.

The Eastern teachings of yoga expound the science of transformation and communion. It is a profound and vast foundation which relates to how the mind, heart, and spirit function, and how to unfold the integrated functioning of each. This wisdom of yoga is nonsectarian (not Hindu) and goes beyond the common version taught in the West, which focuses primarily on physical postures. Yoga philosophy can provide the bones of practice to which Christianity can add the meat and culture from the wisdom of our Master Teacher, Christ. In fact, most Christians who practice yoga become better Christians.

Dawn Summers has taught yoga since 1985 in a variety of contexts, including a Lenten yoga series, working with pastors to deepen their spiritual practice through yoga and ritual, teaching conferences and retreats. She also trains yoga instructors and yoga therapists. She is certified at the highest level as a yoga therapist in a rigorous program by the American Viniyoga Institute. She is artful in the use of chanting and ritual, and sensitive and skillful in creating a safe, accessible physical yoga practice for any level student.

For the extended retreat schedule into Sunday, I would suggest much more free time on Saturday afternoon with an afternoon yoga practice beginning at 5:00 pm and Lectio Divina or other evening activity. Sunday morning would be similar to the Saturday morning schedule, but including a Sunday worship service.

Lecture topic: Suffering and Atonement - How Yoga Explains Christian Practices Towards God.