Christian Yoga

CHRISTIAN YOGA

The Sanscrit word, yoga, means 'yoke' - to couple or unite. Christian Yoga is a way of uniting with Christ. As Jesus tells us, "Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls, for my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:29).

Our Christian yoga program weaves together body postures with breath, sacred and classical music, prayer of the heart and body, and meditation. We bring ourselves to God as a whole being — body, mind and spirit. St. Paul wrote, "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God?" (1 Corinthians 6:19) Our bodies are the intimate habitat of God. As we relax the body, and quiet the mind, we are better able to be still in meditation and open ourselves to the work of the Holy Spirit. Physically our participants improve flexibility, balance and coordination; build strength; feel happiness, healing in the body, and an improved sense of well-being.

The community of men and women participating in Christian yoga at Manresa is growing — the programs are offered Mondays and Thursdays throughout the year. Christian yoga is used to complement retreats offered for caregivers and women. It is especially effective when used in conjunction with meditation retreats and by private retreatants, who often join in a class while at Manresa.

The 2008 Spring & Summer Series

You are invited to Manresa each week to share a time away from your busy world … a time for solitude and silence … a time for prayer and meditation … a time to re-focus your attention on God … Come join with us in our prayer of Christian Yoga.

Our program will create a space for peace and meditation within you and provide for an "upward lifting" of your mind, heart, and spirit to that of Christ. Classical yoga postures, with flowing therapeutic movements, blended with Scripture, and sacred music, will be used to quiet your being and allow God the inner sanctuary within you - it is a part of your movement to a new and more holistic life.

We invite the person of prayer to receive rather than to offer … it is a time for listening rather than for asking or speaking - listening to the inner voice of God and the leading of the Spirit … a time to rest in the presence of God.

Come and join our community - you will find it to be a special place.

Leader: Grace Seroka (Certified Yoga Instructor and commissioned intern of the Ignatian
Spirituality Program. She also has completed the Spiritual Exercises.)
Equipment: Please bring your exercise mat and blanket or towel (some extra mats are available for
your use.) Therapeutic bands are needed and are available for purchase at a cost of $ 6
at the first meeting.

Registration: Mail your name, address, phone number, and your check payable to Manresa. You may also register and pay with your credit card on register on line or by telephoning the office.

Date: Monday Spring Evenings: March 31, April 7, 14, 21, and 28, May 5, 12 June 2
Time: 5:30 - 6:45 PM (Please note the changed start time.)
Cost: $80 for the eight Monday Spring evening classes paid in advance.

Date: Thursday Spring Mornings: April 3, 10; May 1, 15, 29; June 5
Time: 8:45 - 10 AM
Cost: $60 for the six Thursday Spring morning classes paid in advance.

Date: Monday Summer Evenings: June 16, 23, 30; July 7, 28; August 4, 11
Cost: $70 for the seven Monday Summer evening classes paid in advance
For all series single classes are $12, and payments can be made the day of the class.
Equipment: Please bring your exercise mat and blanket or towel (some extra mats are available for your use.) Therapeutic bands are needed and are available for purchase at a cost of $ 6 at the first meeting. When the weather is warm we often gather outside. Bring a sweatshirt.

For information about some other Christians who practice Yoga, click here.

Some Comments

Christian yoga is a form of prayer for me, involving mind, body, and spirit. I also find it especially helpful in quieting my entire being before a Christian mediation "sit". I experience Christian yoga as a strengthening of my body, as well as a nurturing of my entire being as a temple of the Holy Spirit. Christian yoga plays an important part in my relationship with God, others, and myself!

Artemae Anderson

I've been doing yoga since September and my flexibility has increased tremendously. It seems to have helped with my golf game and has given me much better focus in day to day activities. It has actually made me look at food differently also. I do not eat as poorly as I did before. It has been a real blessing in my life.

Andy Szombat

We think you will find that Christian yoga will enrich your prayer, meditation, and exercise all in one practice. It is truly a way to pray with every cell of your body. Visit the Manresa website for details on our programs. This is your invitation … "Come, Join Us!"

A Note on Church Teaching and Manresa's Christian Yoga

The documents of the Catholic Church contain two basic references to yoga. In October 1989 the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith issued a letter On Some Aspects of Christian Meditation. In August 2003 the Pontifical Council for Culture and the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue issued a provisional report called Jesus Christ, the Bearer of the Water of Life: A Christian reflection on the "New Age." The first mentioned yoga once, in a footnote, as an example of an Eastern form of meditation; the second mentioned yoga twice in general fashion with other Eastern methods. While the documents allow that methods of prayer deriving from non-Christian religions can help Christians in their prayer, they warn that discretion needs to be exercised to avoid syncretism and to see that elements do not creep in that are contrary to the fundamental nature of Christian prayer and practice. At Manresa we are dedicated to the promotion of Christian prayer. We wish to assure any who may be concerned that we do exercise due discretion here, and that Manresa's Christian Yoga courses do not contain elements about which the Congregation and Councils are concerned.