With Elizabeth Gross CYT-500

7 Thursdays February 15th-March 28th / 4:30-5:30PM ET

Christ the King Episcopal Church / 3021 NY-213, Stone Ridge, NY 12484

By Donation

Space is limited, Pre-Registration Required by February 14th

Listening for the Heartbeat of God is a 7 week series of in person contemplative yoga classes, meeting weekly on Thursdays at 4:30pm ET (60min) from February 15th through March 28th. This class series is for you if you want to bring your body and heart in line with Lent by way of contemplative practice.

Making space for inner listening during Lent allows for the opportunity to re-orient perspective, away from external influences and into our own heart. This human need is heightened during Lent, or the 40 days before Easter, when we are invited to either shed or gain habits that help us see the world more clearly. Having an experienced guide, a supportive community, and a devoted practice are all important aspects to letting Lent nourish you deeply and allow for your contemplative life to unfold.

Each class within this series will blend accessible yoga postures with lectio divina (contemplative prayer on a sacred text), breath connection and journaling, so you can experience a well rounded, introspective practice during our time together. My intention is that by the end of the 7 weeks, you'll have a deepened appreciation for Lent and feel both connected to your heart and the heart of the earth, wherein God resides.

Who this class series is for:

This class series is for those who would like to:

• connect to the deeper significance of Lent

• explore core principles of contemplative spirituality

• learn contemplative practices such as letcio divina and yoga asana in an accessible way

• engage or re-connect with an authentic spiritual practice, and/or not quite sure where to begin

• receive encouragement, support and care alongside others also fostering an embodied faith practice

What we will be doing during our time together:

This contemplative yoga class series is intended to help connect your life in a deep and meaningful way to the season of Lent through your body and the natural world surrounding you, absorbing the wisdom of both, which can often be underfelt in our busy, modern lives. This class is appropriate for both beginners to yoga and/or contemplative practices/a deeper exploration of faith. 

With a spacious time for practice, we will explore:

• the practice of lectio divina, a contemplative prayer practice utilizing sacred text, with Listening for the Heartbeat of God: A Celtic Spirituality by J. Philip Newell as our guiding text

• meditation and breath connection to help digest our Lenten experiences within stillness

• yoga asanas which support the body’s natural processes associated with Lent and connection with our guiding text

• how to apply all that we explore in this course to our lives off the mat for a contemplatively rooted Lenten season

• reflection time through journaling and the option to share insights with the community we form together 

The yoga practice we will engage with during the course of this series will be a slow paced sequence of accessible postures, suitable for beginners. If you are new to yoga or would like to ease back into your practice, Lent is a great time to start. We will explore foundational postures of yoga with a gentle approach. Variations will be offered for those who want either greater challenge or a lighter approach to the yoga practice.

If you know you would benefit from more specific, personalized yoga instruction throughout the course, you'll have the option to schedule a private lesson with me at the discounted rate of $90 per hour long session (standard rate: $120). Booking for private sessions will open after you claim your class spot for the course.

If you can’t attend all of the classes:

Though you will get the most out of this series if you attend all of the classes, if you need to miss one or two:

• I’ll send along the reading for the week, which you can read in your own time to keep up with course material

• You are welcome to practice using the framework of the previous classes in your own time, and working with the yoga postures we’ve explored thus far as part of this series

How to Register for Listening for the Heartbeat of God:

If you’d like to join this course, please do the following:

• Click the button below and follow the instructions to register by Wednesday, February 14th to secure your spot for this course. Space is limited and first come, first serve. 

• Add class dates to your calendar: 7 Thursdays: February 15th-March 28th, from 4:30-5:30pm.

• Make sure you have access to the materials you’ll need for the course:

  • A new journal (or pull out one of your many previously purchased and unused journals!)

  • A copy of Listening for the Heartbeat of God: A Celtic Spirituality by J. Philip Newell

  • Optional: Your own yoga mat and additional suggested yoga props: a bolster, 2 yoga blocks, a yoga strap and blanket. Yoga mats and props will be provided if you do not have your own. 

Hi, I’m Elizabeth Gross. I am an herbalist, bodyworker, yoga instructor and end of life doula living and practicing in the Mid Hudson Valley, NY. I found my way back to Christianity as an adult by centering the mystical and contemplative teachings, practices and experiences steeped within the tradition. My background in yoga and Buddhism also greatly influences my spiritual praxis. My work through Selkie Medicinals is focused on providing comfort and care to individuals undergoing major life transitions. My current services are weekly group yoga classes, workshops on herbal self care and contemplative living, and private sessions in Thai Yoga bodywork and yoga instruction.

Have a question about this course?

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