Greetings LifeFit Yogis and Friends!
This is a wonderful time of year: we are “on a roll” with our schedules, as the world is full of color we are reminder of God’s glory, and we are in anticipation of the wonderful holidays ahead. Classes are going well and I see us growing stronger and becoming more grounded in our practice together – I am so proud of us! I have a few announcements to make…
The classes at Christ church are used to having a service project and a holiday get-together. Through the year I have had conversations with several students about what would be appropriate, but recently something has presented itself and I feel compelled to act on my intuition. Most of you are aware that we are in the midst of a campaign to raise funds for a new youth center. The space that I rent from the church for our LifeFit classes will in the future be part of this new building space. Here is my plan to have us take part….In the month of December, I will teach the following classes without taking a payment for my business, as my way to contribute and show appreciation for the space we get to use. I am asking that your contribution be that the fees you pay to take part in class then become your participation in a collective gift we give to the church. Note: if you feel compelled to give more that the usual cost of the class, then please do - we are about to have a beautiful new space! Our yoga practice allows us to become strong and ready in body, mind and spirit. Let us be strong in our attempt to be counted in the use of this spiritual space, an extension of the church. In advance I thank you for your support and in December the cost of our classes will reflect this change. If past members of these classes are wanting to come participate, then please contact me The space in class is limited to the current class and a few extra – I will need everyone’s confirmation for attendance. This is a great time for anyone wanting to “try out” class to come and do just that! 12:15 Tues Dec 8 Beginner’s class, 12:15 Thurs Dec 10 Chair Yoga class, Thursday Dec 11th 11:00 Simply Fit class, Sunday December 13 5:15 class Intermediate class, and 9:45 am Tues Dec 15 – Intermediate class. As far as the holiday pot-luck style meals, here are the following: Tues/Thurs 9:45 am class will have a brunch right after class on Tues Dec 8, and the Sunday class will have dinner right after class on Dec 13. The others are yet to be decided. I will need to exercise well in December!
Some of you have met our intern to our congregational nurse Vicki Williford. Her name is Katie Ward and she is a graduate student in the area of Social Health. She is doing a session at Christ Church again on Wed Nov 11 on ADHD. It is called the “The Concentration Game” and she has devised a fun and interactive way to learn about the sign and symptoms of ADHD. Come learn for yourself or for the sake of family or friends. Room 106, 6:30-7:30pm, free of charge. Contact Vicki Williford for more details at 299-1571, ext 802. And, you all must know that Katie has been attending the 11:00 Simply Fit class in an attempt to learn to lead such a class and will share that class with me through some of her time here with us – she is strong, smart, beautiful and energetic. Get to know her while we are blessed to have her this year!
The cloth labyrinth at Christ Church will be out and available for any and all to come walk, pray, rejoice, and reflect in the Parlor/Deciple rooms on Saturday, Nov 7 from 2 – 4 pm and Sunday Nov 8 from 9am – 1pm. Many students from other classes are familiar with the labyrinth and I wanted to invite you all as this opportunity is open to everyone. If you have never experienced walking a labyrinth, here is a chance to come at your leisure and experience the release and renewal and learn to be open to the myriad of possible outcomes. Bring family/friends. Note that you may need to plan on 20 – 30 minute here.
Next Friday night, Nov 13 at 7 pm at Holy Trinity (live band at 6 and wine/appetizers served after) there is a great opportunity to learn more about labyrinths from a world known speaker, Lauren Artress. The cost of the event is $10 – a great deal for a fabulous evening! Her Saturday workshop is SOLD OUT but she will also lead a walk on their outdoor labyrinth that Sunday, November 15 from 2 – 4. That event is free of charge. I have been lucky to work with the committee that has brought her here and though we have been taking about this in classes for a while now, I wanted to relay the information one more time. Look to the website to register …I even have a page on the site : http://www.labyrinthkeepers.com/21Flynn.html thanks to Marjorie and Gerald Donnelly.
And,….remember that the only class meeting the week of Thanksgiving is the City of Greensboro class…you all are “go getters!”
Try this 1-minute breathing exercise to boost blood oxygen and productivity
It is helpful if you are feeling frazzled or restless. It is a centering activity based on a slow inhalation and an incremental increase in the length of exhalations.
Inhale to the count of two
Exhale to the count of two
Inhale to the count of two
Exhale to the count of three
Inhale to the count of two
Exhale to the count of four
Inhale to the count of two
Exhale to the count of five
Repeat several times, then return to your normal breathing. Your improved breathing will help regulate the oxygen flow in your blood, making you more alert. With a sharper focus, you can stay on task and make fewer mistakes, saving you time in the long run.
From The Power of Slow by Christine Louise Hohlbaum
Ready to Release?
In this moment we are each part of an infinitely abundant universe. While the illusion of lack and limitation is sometimes extremely convincing, our true nature is whole, intrinsically creative, and unlimited. Our feelings of fear and powerlessness only arise because we forget who we really are and that we are always connected to the infinite resources of spirit.
The secret to true abundance is this: To have what we truly want, we need to first let go of everything we don’t want . . . we need to release all our self-imposed limits, constriction, social conditioning, learned helplessness, and beliefs that no longer serve. In the space and clarity that remain, we will experience all the abundance that life has to offer us in the present moment. We will realize that we are in the flow of pure abundance and always have been.
“Have your attention on what is and see its fullness in every moment. The presence of the divine is everywhere. You have only to consciously embrace it with your attention.” ~ The Vedas
Lastly I want to tell you all how thankful I am to have you as students and friends. Each year I work at learning more for you…but you must know that I learn a lot FROM you. I am thankful that we grow together in many ways. I count you all in my blessings! “When one teaches, two learn.” – Robert Half
With deep appreciation,
Mona Flynn
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