Wednesday August 7 - Sunday August 11 2024
Villa Maria Education and Spirituality Center, Villa Maria, PA
Cultivating Radical trust through the practices of Abhyasa and Vairagya
As Christians who have a deep desire to faithfully practice and teach yoga, we have the unique opportunity to explore the relationship between our Christian faith, scripture and the yoga sutras. This exploration is not merely an academic endeavor but is a matter of the heart as well. If there is anything yoga teaches us, it is that the value of consistent practice is essential to deepening our trust in God and our vocational work.
Jesus invites us to deepen trust with God, ourselves, and others through the practices of abhyasa and vairagya. Abhyasa refers to practices towards a steady and peaceful mind rooted in persistence and devotion, and vairagya is the mastery of desires; not attaching to an outcome to begin with and letting go of attachments to when and how.
Where is the middle ground between effort (in our prayers, relationships, being, work) and surrender – loosening the grip on desires? Trust is the liminal space between effort & letting go. How can we deepen our trust in the Lord? How can our vocation be shaped by this deep trust? Let’s explore these questions and much more together in community with one another.
Schedule
The retreat will begin on Wednesday, August 7 starting at 4:00 with yoga asana and centering prayer and will conclude after lunch on Sunday August 11. Daily schedule will generally include silent meditation, two group yoga asana or pranayama classes, lecture and discussion, worship, and free time to be spent as you wish. Yoga asana will be offered by attendees.
Location Information
Villa Maria is located at 2067 Evergreen Road, Villa Maria, PA. You can explore the retreat center here. The closest airport is Pittsburgh International (PIT), 50 minutes away. Other options include Cleveland or Akron / Canton. Let us know your plans and we will try to coordinate transportation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have more questions? Check out our FAQs page to learn more about the retreat and our Christians Practicing Yoga community.
For questions, please contact Katrina Woodworth at retreat@christianspracticingyoga.com