Christians Practicing Yoga Retreat FAQs
What is a Christians Practicing Yoga community like?
We are an inclusive spiritual family holding 'intentional' space for each other to listen, learn, share, and be “stretched'' as we grow together in FAITH, LOVE and UNITY through the intersection of yoga and Christianity.
Thanks to Fr. Tom’s work with interfaith and ecumenical dialogue, we work together to find common ground in the larger context of the whole Christian Church. One of the most beautiful things about Christianity is the tapestry of many denominations, traditions, expressions, ways of worshiping God and living out our faith. We believe that our own relationship with God is deepened when we are open to learning from those who may express faith in God differently from our own faith and experience.
The same is true with yoga. There are many styles and expressions of yoga. Historically and philosophically, yoga comes from Indian culture. Yoga means to “unite”. Isn’t it interesting that unity is one of the major themes of the Christian Scripture? As we gather together on retreat, we seek to grow at the intersection of yoga and Christianity.
Who is this retreat best suited for?
Fr. Tom started Christians Practicing Yoga Retreats for teachers looking for encouragement and support as they seek to integrate faith and yoga in their vocation (CPY history). Therefore, CPY retreats are best suited for Teachers and Practitioners who value the integration of faith and yoga, and are interested in gathering with like-minded people. We desire to celebrate the various ways that people are integrating faith and yoga. At the same time, we welcome past teachers and serious practitioners (not teachers) to participate in the retreat as well. All the classes, presentations and workshops are voluntarily led “in-house” by fellow participants. The Yoga instructors are assuming basic knowledge of poses and practices and expecting participants to personally modify in class as appropriate.
What happens on a Christians Practicing Retreat?
Rhythm of Life on Retreat together – our schedule
One of the greatest gifts of living at the intersection of Christianity and yoga is the emphasis on contemplative practices. Historically, Christian contemplative practices have come from the Catholic and the Eastern monastic traditions. But in recent years, contemplative practices have expanded to be practiced in many denominations and theological communities. Contemplative Outreach started by Fr. Thomas Keating, and authors such as Ruth Haley Barton and Adam Bucko are all examples of the broadening of the contemplative path in modern Christianity. A return to Christian contemplative practices naturally overlaps with contemplative yogic practices as well. Fr. Tom created this schedule for the first Yoga Teacher’s retreat in 2001 and it has become the benchmark of Christian Practicing Yoga Retreats.The schedule is structured around practices that have a rhythm to how we do our days and worship together. We find that these Christian rhythms have natural parallels in the way of life practiced at an ashram or major US yoga center like Kripalu. Fr. Tom has offered his Pray of Heart and Body retreats, which are similar to this retreat at Kripalu.
One of the benefits of the rhythm of daily practices is allowing one’s self to rest in the created structure of Grand silence, daily yoga and centering prayer, and liturgy of hours (morning prayer and vespers). The schedule intentionally reflects the natural relationship between practicing yoga “asana” and the Christian contemplative practices. We recognize that first-timers to the retreat may be new to many of these practices! We aim to create a safe community to experiment and learn together. If you are new to the contemplative path, here are some simple explanations to help you understand the daily schedule.
What is Grand silence?
We communally observe Grand Silence from the end of Evening Vespers through breakfast until we gather for morning prayer – which is about 10-12 hours of silence a day.
If you are new to the practice of silence, this may feel like a really long time! Our intention in communally practicing silence is meant to be a comfort. We are social creatures by nature! And yet, in silence we can begin to get in touch with that deeper place within us as well – our souls. God’s presence is always with us in this deepest place, waiting for us there. Ruth Haley Barton shares the intention and the benefits of silence and solitude in this short video.
What is centering prayer?
At the end of each yoga session, we are invited to sit for 20 minutes of communal silence. Centering Prayer is a relational form of Christian meditation in which we sit in silence with the intention of being receptive to the presence of God within. There are a variety of schools and types of Christian meditation which you can read more about in one of Fr. Tom’s blog posts on The Three methods of Christian Meditation. We recognize that many retreatants may find sitting for 20 minutes new and / or challenging. We always extend the invitation to extend your time in shavasana as needed.
What is the liturgy of hours?
The liturgy of hours originated from the Jewish times of prayer mentioned in the old testament and was embraced by monastic Christian traditions under the terms Daily Office or fixed hour prayer. Other Christian traditions call these hours prayer watches. . The hours are 7 set times for worship throughout the day which includes chanting the Psalms, select readings from the old and new testament, and recited prayers. This rhythm of set times of prayer helps one stay in touch with God throughout the day. We gather for two of the daily movements: Morning Prayer and Evening prayer. Learn more about ecumenical forms of the Daily Office here. We do our best to include ecumenical forms of simple chanting or singing, scripture reading and simple prayers during this time.
Will there be opportunities for learning?
Yes! Our retreat program is "for the people, by the people." In this way, retreatants are also our presenters. We consider this cooperative leadership to be a form of seva. Therefore, we do not bring in any teachers or presenters from outside of the retreat.
IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE: IT IS NOT REQUIREMENT TO TEACH A CLASS OR OFFER A PRESENTATION OR WORKSHOP IN ORDER TO COME ON THE RETREAT.
The workshops and presentations are opportunities for us to learn from one another. We recognize that teachers are doing amazing work out in the world and we can encourage one another in our callings as faith-oriented Yoga Teachers. Some examples of presentations from the past include: The Yamas and the Beatitudes; Yoga, benefits of pranayama and chanting, Karma or Seva yoga; Chakras and Energy Systems, trauma-informed yoga; the Recovery movement and yoga; ways and resources to teach in your church or faith community; History and types of Christian meditation; the Daily Office as a yogic practice; Christian scripture and the Yogic texts; discussions on topics such as Jean Marie Déchanet, the intersection of Christian contemplation and/or mysticism with yoga, or academic research like that of Mark Singleton. Some workshops that have been offered: Creating mandalas and prayer beads, Yoga Chakra Dance, and sharing yoga with Seniors.
Is there any free time at the retreat?
YES! The beauty of gathering for three and a half days is there is plenty of spaciousness in the schedule to take in the beauty of the retreat campus, read a book, meet with a new friend or take a nap. The afternoon workshops and presentations are optional and we build in one afternoon of freetime for relaxation and rest.
What are our Covid recommendations?
As we approach the summer months and our retreat, CPY leadership has been prayerfully considering our policies around Covid-19. In the spirit of ahiṃsā, we are implementing the following practices to ensure the safest possible community for our retreat:
We recommend (but are not requiring)getting up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines before you travel and take steps to protect yourself and others. Consider wearing a mask in crowded or poorly ventilated indoor areas, including on public transportation and in transportation hubs. Take additional precautions if you were recently exposed to a person with COVID-19. Don’t travel while sick.
Mask use will follow CDC guidelines, as impacted by what is happening in Pennsylvania and the Villa Maria Retreat & Conference Center. At present, masks are not required at Villa Maria.
Even with all of these precautions, we recognize that we cannot guarantee a risk-free environment. It is our own individual responsibility to educate ourselves and make decisions that impact our own bodies. We are all welcome to wear a mask at the retreat whenever – no questions asked.
We will all be coming from various spaces – some of us from our homes, some of us from family reunions, some of us from other travels and events. Some of us are traveling by plane, others by car. We want to be respectful of others by ensuring that we are not asymptomatically contagious.
What’s included in the price of the retreat?
Your stay, a private room (there is the option to share a room for a reduced price) and meals at the Villa Maria Education and Spirituality Retreat, all the programming, including two yoga classes a day, morning and evening prayer, daily workshops and presentations. There is a reduced price (from $650 to $545 per person) for those who wish to room with family or friends.
What if I have dietary requests?
Like most retreat centers, The Villa Maria has a communal cafeteria where we eat with the Sisters. The facility can provide vegan, vegetarian or gluten-free options with notice. We will reach out prior to the conference for dietary requests.
When does the retreat begin and end?
Check in at the Villa Maria is on Wednesday, August 7th from 1:00 - 3:00pm and the retreat starts with the first yoga class at 3:30pm. Checkout is Sunday, August 11th after lunch.
How can I make travel plans?
The Villa Maria Education & Spirituality Center (VMESC) 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.
What is our retreat theme?
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.