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!