Christ Community UMC

Yoga Church

Yoga Church is taking a break until January, 2019! 
​Happy New Year!

Christ Community UMC 5715 Roselawn Ave. Altoona Pa, 16602
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3/15/2018

Yoga Church #2- Cat- Cow Breaths

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Dear Yoga Friends,
            I hope that you were able to take some time for your personal yoga practice and prayer during this busy week. Sometimes, I get the feeling that Lent is a train that is speeding toward Easter and there is nothing to do except to hang on tightly and pray that we don’t fall! As we speed toward Holy Week, I know that there are many demands on your time. I hope that you are able to find at least a few minutes to visit that peaceful place within your soul where you can connect to God. I pray that your mat can become for you an oasis of peace and tranquility where you can connect to something bigger and more eternal than the mundane cares of our everyday lives.
Whenever you unroll your mat, you are embarking on a spiritual practice. We practice yoga because we are seeking to connect to God with both our bodies and our minds. This week’s Bible reading is all about the desire to see Jesus. Some Jews approach Phillip with a humble request: “Sir- we wish to see Jesus.”
Like these men, we all want to see Jesus. At this point in the gospel story, Jesus had been making quite a stir. People whispered that he had even raised Lazarus from the dead! Many wanted to see this man who was sad to be able to work miracles.
When we step on to our mats, we are also looking for Jesus. Praying with our bodies can help to focus our busy minds as we look for him. Often, we forget that Jesus is everywhere: and all we need to do is open our eyes and look.
I pray that you are able to see Jesus this week, in both your yoga practice and your everyday life. May you carry the love of God with you always!
 
Bible Verses for this Week:
John 12:20-33
Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, ‘Sir, we wish to see Jesus.’ Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. Jesus answered them, ‘The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honour.
 ‘Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say—“Father, save me from this hour”? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name.’ Then a voice came from heaven, ‘I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.’ The crowd standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others said, ‘An angel has spoken to him.’ Jesus answered, ‘This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. Now is the judgement of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people* to myself.’ He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die.
 
This Week’s Asana: Cat-Cow Breaths:
            This week’s asana (or pose) is a great way to practice breathing with your entire body. Often, we take the act of breathing for granted. We assume that is impossible to do something as natural as breathing incorrectly; however, with focus and attention, we can use our breath to bring us peace and tranquility. Frequently in our lives we breathe in a shallow manner. This way of breathing is centered in the chest and can contribute to making us feel stressed and panicked.
 This week’s pose will help you to connect with your breath by feeling it in your stomach and in your diaphragm. Remember how it feels to breathe in this position. Then, the next time you feel stressed, try saying a little prayer and breathing deeply. Remember that the breath of God is within you and that you are loved.
 
Link:  https://youtu.be/m6idptreM8M
 
Upcoming Dates:
Books & Beans: March 20th at 6PM- Book Club at the Green Bean in Altoona! Join us as we share a cup of coffee and discuss this month’s book, From Here to Eternity: Traveling the World to Find the Good Death by Caitlin Doughty (Nonfiction)
Lenten Luncheon- March 28th at Noon: Join us for a free delicious lunch with a special Lenten message from Pastor Grace Marie from First UMC, Hollidaysburg.
Holy Thursday Service & Christian Seder- March 29th at 6PM: Did you know that Jesus was Jewish? Join us for a special service where will learn about the Jewish roots of our Christian Faith and share in a delicious meal.
Easter Egg Hunt, Saturday March 24: Join us for a free Easter Egg Hunt! Kids will have a great time and there might even be a special visit from Mr. Easter Bunny!
 

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3/15/2018

Yoga Church #1- Child's Pose

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Dear Yoga Friends,
          I hope that you are having a very blessed Lent! Traditionally, Lent is a time during the church year when we abstain from something we enjoy. It is what we call a “time of fasting.” The minor discomfort of fasting reminds us of the pain that Jesus suffered during the forty days he wandered in the desert as well as the anguish He suffered on the cross. Whenever we feel discomfort or desire during our time of fasting, it is a reminder to us to pray.
          During this season of Lent, I have given up red meat. Every time I feel a craving for a big juicy cheeseburger, I take a moment to stop and say a prayer to God. The constant craving is a constant reminder to me to pray.
          The practice of Yoga can help us to deepen our mindfulness. When we practice different asanas (poses), we take mental note of how our bodies feel. Do we feel discomfort? Do we feel a pleasing stretch? Do we feel strong? Or do we feel our muscles aching? No sensation is the “correct,” sensation to feel in any given pose. Every person’s body is unique and different. Simply take note of that sensation and know that you can breathe through any discomfort. Discomfort- just like temptation for a big juicy cheeseburger- is only temporary.

 
Bible Verses for this Week: John 3:14-21 (NIV)
 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. 19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.
 
This Week’s Asana: Child’s Pose
          This week, we will be exploring “Child’s Pose,” or balasana. This is an excellent foundational yoga pose that you can use to stretch out discomfort in your lower back. This is also an excellent pose to use during the practice of yin yoga or “restorative yoga.” It is a pose that can be returned to at any point during your yoga practice if you need to take time to catch your breath as you calm and center once more.
          Child’s Pose is relatively easy to hold. To start, try following along with the video. Attempt different alignments of this pose and see what works best for your body. Some people will feel more comfortable with their knees together and other’s will feel more comfortable with their knees apart. As your practice deepens, try holding balasana for several minutes and relaxing all your muscles into this pose. Focus on your breathing and practice being mindful of the changing sensations in your body as you relax into the pose.
 
Until next week, Yoga Buddies!
Peace Be With You,
-Pastor Rebecca
 
Upcoming Dates:
Books & Beans: March 20th at 6PM- Book Club at the Green Bean in Altoona! Join us as we share a cup of coffee and discuss this month’s book, From Here to Eternity: Traveling the World to Find the Good Death by Caitlin Doughty (Nonfiction)
Lenten Luncheon- March 28th at Noon: Join us for a free delicious lunch with a special Lenten message from Pastor Grace Marie from First UMC, Hollidaysburg.
Holy Thursday Service & Christian Seder- March 29th at 6PM: Did you know that Jesus was Jewish? Join us for a special service where will learn about the Jewish roots of our Christian Faith and share in a delicious meal.
Easter Egg Hunt, Saturday March 24: Join us for a free Easter Egg Hunt! Kids will have a great time and there might even be a special visit from Mr. Easter Bunny! 

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    Christ Community UMC

    Yoga Church, Wednesdays at 7PM: All ages and ability levels welcome! Bring a mat and a block if you have one! Some mats and blocks will be available. The service begins with breathing exercises and prayer. Then, we will move through some gentle flows, moving from one yoga pose to the next in a slow and prayerful manner. Holy Communion will be offered. At the end of the service we will close with prayer and guided meditation. Service takes approximately 1hr 15 minutes. ​

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