Prayer of Spirit and Body Retreat
"An introduction to yoga and other forms of body prayer as Christian spiritual practice"
“Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit?” writes St. Paul.
As human beings our bodies, minds, and spirits do not exist as separate components, but are mysteriously woven together so that outer movements of our bodies have a way of connecting with and releasing the inner movements of the Spirit and vice versa. This retreat is an invitation for participants to explore and celebrate the truth that prayer is a response to God with our whole being : body, mind, and spirit! Participants will experience a variety of ways of praying with the body including: gentle movements and postures of prayer drawn from themes of Holy Scripture, breath prayer, walking meditations, praying in response to the Spirit as embodied in creation, and yoga as Christian spiritual practice. Registration closes April 8th.
Facilitators:
The Rev. Marshall Craver is spiritual director for the clergy of the Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast and Priest Associate at Christ Church Cathedral. He is also an adjunct faculty for The Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation.
Jan Craver is a retired RN, a member of Yoga Alliance and Kripalu Teachers Association. Jan has been teaching yoga classes on a weekly basis for the past fourteen years and leads yoga retreats in the Central Gulf Coast Diocese and beyond.
Friday, April 13
4:00-6:00pm Check In
6:00pm Dinner
7:00pm Welcome and Orientation to Beckwith
7:15pm Introductions
7:45pm Intent of Retreat and Schedule
8:00pm Intro to yoga as Christian spiritual practice
8:15pm Yoga
9:00pm Meditation – Deep Peace TO You
Saturday, April 14
7:00am Yoga
8:00am Breakfast
9:00am Morning Prayer –Welcome Sabbath, Biblical Reflection, Taize Chants
10:00am Break
10:15am The Body at Prayer – Wisdom from Martin Smith and St. Ignatius
10:50am Break
11:00am Walking Meditations –O Great Spirit, Prayer of Four Directions, The Labyrinth
12:00pm Lunch and Free Time (Silence)
4:00pm Yoga
6:00pm Dinner
7:00pm The Body and Prayer – sharing our experience, strength, and hope; Q and A
7:30pm Break
8:30pm Dances of Universal Peace
9:00pm Bonfire!
Sunday, April 15
8:00am Breakfast
9:00am Reflections, Insights, Evaluations
10:00am Break
10:30am Holy Eucharist: Praying the Scripture with Body, Mind, and Spirit
12:00pm Lunch and Departure