Led by Carolyn Bluemle
Friday Nov 23 – Sunday Nov 25, 2012
Limited to 15 participants.
Gratitude has the power to plunge us deeply into presence; conversely presence has the power to bring us into an ocean of gratefulness. Both are, in the words of Br. David Steindl-Rast, “the heart of prayer.” What hinders our heart from opening wide in gratitude? What nurtures it? Can we return again and again to that interior spaciousness that allows God to rest in us, and that exterior spaciousness that allows us to rest in God? Our bodies, our breath, song, silence, and beauty are all doorways to this presence.
With the monastic rhythm of communal prayer throughout the day, with the beauty of trees and the river, with our bodies in yoga and meditation, and our breath in chanting and silence, we practice many prayers. The many prayers are reminders, practices, to help us live in that presence which is the essence of unceasing prayer, that we may each make our life a prayer.
Some previous experience with yoga or meditation is recommended but not required.
Please bring a symbol of your intention for the retreat to place on a prayer table in the practice room.
Carolyn Bluemle has taught yoga since 1989 and is Iyengar certified. She has led numerous retreats at Holy Cross and workshops in the Sacred Circles program at the Washington National Cathedral. She holds a Masters in ancient Greek philosophy from UC Berkeley and has enjoyed many years as a dancer. Through the healing practices of yoga, meditation, and Taizé chant she has renewed her Christian faith. Her teaching, precise and enthusiastic, with humor and compassion, reflects her deep experience of yoga as prayer. www.cmagicisafoot.com
cost: $250, deposit: $80