Pray with Your Whole Body: Exploring Christian Contemplative Practices and Gentle Yoga

CEU Instructor: Joanne Spence
Course Level: Introductory
Study Time:
20 hours

Write your awesome label here.

Course Overview

In this 6-week hybrid learning experience, we will explore the integration of Christian spirituality, gentle accessible yoga practices, and contemplative prayer techniques. This course offers participants an opportunity to deepen their understanding of Christian spirituality while incorporating principles of mindfulness, movement, and holistic well-being for themselves and those they serve. No prior knowledge of yoga, experience, or flexibility is required. In fact, this course aims to dispel the cultural and popular myths that may have prevented a deeper understanding of yoga as a pathway to praying with our whole being (mind, body, and spirit). All bodies are welcome, especially the skeptical ones.

About This Course:

This course offers an exploration of Christian spirituality through the lens of classical yoga and contemplative prayer practices.

First live Zoom begins October 16, 2024 and will go for 6 weeks. Live Zoom sessions will occur each Wednesday from 7-8:00pm EST.

Participants will learn to integrate accessible physical movement, breath work, and meditation techniques into their spiritual lives, fostering a deeper connection with God and themselves, and a greater sense of inner peace and wholeness. Through a combination of lectures, guided exercises, and reflective practices, participants will gain practical tools for caring for their whole selves—body, mind, and spirit—while nurturing a vibrant prayer life grounded in Christian tradition. This approach emphasizes the embodiment of spiritual principles, and it is also respectful of the cultural context of yoga as an ancient practice from West Asia.

This is a great course for clergy, chaplains, seminarians, coaches, and facilitators who are seeking continuing education units or professional development credits. Educators, therapists, healthcare providers, consultants, small group leaders, nonprofit directors, yoga teachers, and public servants of all sorts would also benefit from this course.

Course Ryhthms

You are invited to weekly times of learning, practice, and reflection both online and offline.

Live Weekly Learning, Sharing, and Practice

This 6-week learning experience includes weekly online material as well as Zoom-based spiritual practices and discussions. Zoom calls are 60 minutes each Wednesday from 7-8pm EST.

Asynchronous Engagement

Learners will have the opportunity to write, read, and practice at home when and where it is most convenient to their particular contexts and hopes.

Community Building Through Practice

This hybrid course is designed to support you in developing your capacity for physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual resilience.

For me, the story of God becoming a body is only matched by God's submission to the body of a woman. That the creator of the cosmos would chose to rely on an embodied creation. To be grown, fed, delivered-God put faith in a body.

Cole Arthur Riley

Who This Class is Designed For?

This course is designed for individuals who are interested in exploring the intersection of Christian spirituality, yoga practices, and contemplative prayer techniques. It is suitable for:

Christians Interested in Spiritual Enrichment: Individuals who identify with the Christian faith and seek to deepen their spiritual life and connection with God.
Yoga Practitioners Seeking Spiritual Integration: People who have a background in yoga or are interested in yoga as a physical and spiritual practice and are curious about how it can be integrated with their Christian faith.
Contemplative Practitioners: Those who are drawn to contemplative prayer practices and wish to explore new ways of deepening their prayer life and experiencing God's presence.
Individuals Exploring Holistic Wellness: Those interested in holistic wellness and well-being, including caring for the body, mind, and spirit, and seeking to integrate spiritual practices into their overall health regimen.
Spiritual Seekers: Individuals who are open to exploring diverse spiritual traditions and practices and are seeking guidance and tools for deepening their spiritual journey.
Ministry Leaders and Educators: Clergy, pastors, spiritual directors, and educators who work with individuals seeking spiritual guidance and are interested in integrating yoga and contemplative practices into their ministry or teaching.
Therapists, Healthcare Providers, and Non-Profit Directors: Individuals interested in taking a more holistic approach to their work and how they stay present to their day-to-day reality.

"As a novice, I have tried yoga off and on for years without ever feeling connected to the practice. Dr. Spence offered a program that integrated yoga with my spirituality and prayer life in a way that resonated with my soul. Practicing yoga with Dr. Spence opened me up to new spiritual disciplines as she gently challenged my body, mind, and spirit. I now look forward to any opportunity I can get to practice yoga with Dr. Spence and continue to use the practices and skills I learned from her."

rev. jack miller

"I have always struggled with the connection between mind and body. I've spent too much time in my own head, yet I often fail to connect the things in my mind with embodied practices. Joanne Spence has gently reminded me of the need for connection and she has taught me to breathe, always!

rev. dr. alan olson

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to participate in all the Live Zoom Experiences?

The live online gatherings are to enhance your learning experience, allow you to interact with your instructor, and other participants as we learn and build community together. Often, we do better together as we find new self-awareness, deeper human connection and hopefulness in our practices. That said, we will also record these sessions for when life gets in the way and you are unable to be present.

Will any assignments be "graded"?

I may provide some acknowledgment of your written work or reflections but nothing will be graded. There will be self-assessment and awareness practices.

Who can I expect to meet in this course?

You will meet people who desire to cultivate a richer, more integrated spiritual life by incorporating elements of Christian spirituality, yoga, and contemplative prayer into their personal practice and daily life. I welcome participants from various backgrounds and levels of experience, offering guidance and support in navigating the intersection of faith, mindfulness, and holistic well-being.

Will I be a yoga teacher as a result of taking this course?

No. The journey to be a yoga teacher requires more knowledge than this course can provide. However, you will have all the tools and experience you need to create your own practice and to guide those around you in simple, short practices by embedding gentle movement and breath work as a foundation for Christian contemplative prayer.

Meet the instructor

Joanne Spence

Joanne Spence is an award-winning author, yoga teacher, and spiritual director. She holds a Doctor of Ministry in Creative Writing and Public Theology, as well as a Master of Arts, both from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. She earned her Bachelor's Degree in Social Work from James Cook University in Australia. With over 30 years of experience teaching and training in clinical settings worldwide, Joanne specializes in integrating mental health, gentle movement, breathwork, Christian contemplative practice, and yoga. She is passionate about demonstrating to other professionals—whether they care for others professionally or personally—that connecting to one's body is achievable for anyone who desires it. Joanne believes that the embodiment of gentle yoga practice, combined with Christian contemplative practices, can indeed draw one closer to God and promote nervous system regulation.

Patrick Jones - Course author