Body Prayer is a series of exercises choreographed to beautiful, inspirational songs. It's a way of using our bodies to give thanks. After all, our bodies are temples of God and so let us dance as King David did before the ark of the covenant to rejoice and praise the Lord (2 Samuel 6:14).
In this class, I using simple stretches and movements suitable for all age groups and all levels of fitness. I also includ some movements from tai chi, pilates and yoga.
Here, I would like to address some general concerns, particularly in regards to yoga. You are not expected to sit in lotus position and look like a pretzel. Just relax and do what you can. Each person is unique and therefore I invite you to work at your own level. Find a mid-point between comfort and pain. Avoid pain but do push yourself beyond your comfort zone so as to feel a little stretched. And each time you try the exercises again, you’ll find that you have made improvements (physical, mentally or spiritually), even if it’s merely millimeters rather than centimeters.
In Sanskrit, yoga mean ‘union’, like the English word ‘yug’. We refer to yoga as a union of mind, body and spirit. Also, we seek union with God, our divine creator.
Traditionally, there are 4 types of yoga:
Jnana Yoga – referring to the path of seeking God through knowledge and spiritual wisdom, not just intellectual.
Bhakti Yoga – love and devotion, eg. Mother Teresa.
Karma Yoga – union with God through action and this includes service to others, eg. social and voluntary work.
Raja and Hatha Yoga – Raja yoga refers to meditation and Hatha yoga refers to physical and breathing exercises which helps keep our bodies fit and strong so that the mind and spirit may be able to focus during meditation.
For me, meditation equals awareness. Sometimes, this may mean being silent, still and focus so that we are better able to hear the soft prompting of God (like the breeze in 1 Kings 19:20) and to hear God speak through the voice of our hearts.
Meditation is also about being in God’s presence, in a relationship. There’s also meditation in physical movements rather than stillness as in tai chi as well as in the body prayer that I use.
Thanks and acknowledgement:
Fr. Thomas Ryan, CSP; Fr. Bruno Saint Girons, MEP. I also give thanks to all my teachers and students – past, present and future.
