I was on a video call when I noticed two big Blue Jays playing in the fresh Colorado mountain air.  As they danced from tree branch to tree branch, I smiled thinking that they were likely starting their spring rituals.  It gave me pause to think about how the bird and I suddenly relate in a reverse kind of way.  The bird begins life pent up in a tiny egg shell but is now observing confident free flying.  I went from the freedoms of coming and going, when and where I wanted, to now staying put. I’m observing day 12 of a self-oriented shelter in place. I am suddenly experiencing life from inside a small space. 

What can I learn from the bird’s solo and confining beginnings? 
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God’s specially designed bird’s shell is used for growth and shelter: ten thousand pores for breathing, the yolk is the food source, an egg white provides an air pocket.  The bird keeps the faith and the will to press onto the next step in life as God has equipped the bird with a specialized shell cutting beak.  It breaks out of the shell and chooses the freedom to live and breathe and everything else! (Acts 17:25) God always has a plan and I am confident that if he can provide for the needs of a chick, how much more will he provide for me when this COVID thing has run its course.  The birds don’t worry about their future food nor their storehouses of TP.  From this insider looking out, I will observe their confidence and wait until it’s just the right time to spread my wings in freedom. I rest knowing God’s got this.

The Frogpose Beginner Flow yoga class leads the flock through a moving meditation on God’s word while listening to Christian music, bringing our individual temples of the Holy Spirit into a state of health and balance.  Each week offers prayer, guided breath work with a series of sometimes challenging physical poses, and stretching on a yoga mat.  Since our current lives seem a bit closed in and upside down, this week’s class will incorporate the inversion, Crow Pose. 

The Crow Pose is considered an arm balance yoga pose and it requires a lot of focus apart from the physical strength. The weight of the body is balanced on the arms and the body weight is at the wrists and elbows. Just like the crow or the crane have a light body for the legs to take the weight, we need to bring that lightness to balance our body on the arms along with proper alignment. The fear of falling on our nose or losing balance and hurting our wrists is most likely to happen if the mind is not ready for these yoga poses (Crow Pose or Crane Pose). Hence Crow Pose builds into the awareness of the body and hones the mind-body connection while “flying in the air”. Crow Pose also works on emotional state by helping us conquer fear and allowing us to accept and embrace life with courage.

In solitude and the safety of our own spaces, we will practice our series of sometimes challenging physical poses, using the Breath of the Almighty to give us life, on Facebook life.  Wednesday at noon.

Flexibility is the name of the game on our mat and now we are putting it into practice!  ​We will work on our physical strength and mental endurance.

We don't need no stinkin studio!  In your face COVID19.

Join us from your favorite nook in the house/outside for another Facbeook Live at noon on Wednesday.   

At about 11:50, click  here:
 https://www.facebook.com/frogposeyoga/ and we'll take class together.  Our focus will be that God Protects!

I was a kid when I first learned of the phrase “in with the good air/out with the bad”.  I’m fairly certain I heard it in a Brady Bunch episode as housekeeper Alice was practicing something other than cooking and cleaning, such as yoga or hula. Either way, saying it in my formative years conjured up a good chuckle to myself and possibly my brother J.  As a child, it was easier to laugh at hard things in life.  I didn’t understand why breath had to be bad versus good.  As far as I knew, it just WAS.
As an adult, I have come under fire and been meet face to face with many difficult things:  unplanned pregnancy, single parenting, work disappointments, divorce, loss of friendships… I’ve been the pot, the kettle, and sometimes danced in the flames.  (Inhale…exhale.  Inhale a bit more.  Exhale deeply).  Did they (THEY?) coin that childhood phrase incorrectly by giving weight to good breaths versus bad or did it lay a mindful foundation to help me cope during heated life situations?  We’ve all had the refining flames turned up under us and what matters is how we allow ourselves and our perspectives to be purified as the end result.  Prayerfully, when life of mixed metals cools, I hope to look more like Jesus (without the beard) then a toxic version of self.
At F.R.O.G Pose yoga we turn up the heat. Literally, we have a room set at 85 degrees and vigorously move through physical postures to get our body temperature to rise.  Verbal cues of one breath to one movement addresses pent up energy in our fascia and bone marrow, bringing us to a boiling point.  Sometimes class feels too strenuous and we take a rest while listening to Christian music and Bible verses; which is welcomed with grace.  And other times, we use God’s strength to help us press on to the next pose. 
God designs the “hot” spots in our lives so we can burn off dross and bring out His best GOLD in us!

Just as in life, it’s in these moments of decision, when the flames seem too intense, where God is doing his best work in us.  Toxins in the body bubble to the top and flow out body tissue, into the bloodstream and out through our collective exhales.   We have the support of the Holy Spirit and others on the mats around us, acting in solidarity, giving us the confidence to push ourselves.  We need the heat and breath to allow the impurities of life to surface so God can skin/slim it off.  There is healing in heated community where God is the potter and we are his clay.  .  At frogpose we help you become the pot of gold at the end of God’s rainbow of life!
When I was in yoga teacher training, I was told that a daily practice of stretching on a yoga mat brought about fiery changes in the body.  Old injuries were expected to arise before healing could begin.  Practicing dealing with heat and the pain that comes up on our mats gives us the skills we need off the mat and out into the world.  Come to class and bring on the heat and blow off some steam! 
Wednesday at noon, 2900 Valmont #f1.

I was raised in a traditional church and as a kid I showed up with the expectation to keep emotions to myself and outrageous gestures out of the pews.  I've since spent many years attending non-denominational churches and have witnessed many a fellow worshiper lift hands in the air like they don't care (thank you Cameo, Word Up!).  I'm disappointed with myself to admit to secretly passing judgement when the hands would go up.  I could certainly appreciate that those folks were overtaken by the Holy Spirit and reaching up for their own personal reasons, or possibly putting on some sort of act, but I never felt the urge to do so.  A "Good Catholic Girl" keeps her cool, right?

And then it happened!

One Sunday morning, the lights were dimmed, the worship band was stirring up the Spirit, and I thought to try an experiment.  Certainly no one would notice if I tired lifting a hand: just one.  Immediately, in this gesture of humble adoration and full surrender, my heart nearly leaped out of my chest.  It took me by surprise!  There really was something in my physical gesture that evoked an emotional response!  One hand was met by the other and suddenly I was standing in church doing mountain pose and feeling tall and strengthened by God.  

In Frogpose Yoga class a similar evolution may occur for you.  We begin class feeling stiffness and rigidity and end class feeling strong and relaxed.  So, don't be intimidated due to a perception you may have about yourself as not being flexible enough.  The 60 minute class begins with a warm up and integration of spirit, soul and body.  And then we turn up the heat with fluid physical postures using the breath of life to direct our flow.  

It's at this time in class that the arms are warmed up enough to reach to heaven with least resistance.  Shoulders have loosened and the fascia has softened.  You may even hear a teacher cue to use Steeple Grip.  This is the ultimate expression of the moving meditation with fingers interlaced, palms touching and both index fingers directed upward like a heavenly vector.  The body is the temple of the Holy Spirit with our fingers as the steeple, pointing to our eternal home.  The physical posture of Steeple Grip evokes the emotional response of direction for our lives and souls.  There is peace in knowing where the steeple is leading!


Join us on Wednesday at noon as we focus on what the bible has to say about the body as the temple of the Holy Spirit.  And the next time you feel moved to lift your arms in worship and praise, maybe give Steeple Grip a try and report back to me.
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When you walk through the door into a Frogpose donation-based yoga class, we prescribe you leave your shoes and the world's worries and struggles at the door for the duration of class.   Use it as a healthy escape as our great physician does His work.

Once you arrive on your mat, you will experience relief from tension and daily stress through a series of sometimes challenging physical poses, intentional breath work, reciting Bible verses and listening to Christian music.  It's a place where a mindful integration of God's word into the mind meets your moving meditation in your body.  We are prayerfully expectant that God is healing every heart and body that shows up through its doors in a loving and non-judgmental community.     

 Shawn Johnson, Pastor of Red Rocks Church, posed this good question. Being honest, when the going gets tough, what's my go-to habit:  binge watching TV, over-eating or drinking, retail therapy? He suggests getting back to  the basics and putting an emphasis on worship music.  What better place to self medicate than a yoga class dedicated to worship songs!

Join us this Wednesday at noon and we'll crank up the volume on our music and enjoy Shawn's top worship songs Spotify list to accompany our flow.   Allow the lyrics and melody to wash over you like ocean waves.  Soak up the sounds and perhaps the desire to grab your weighty cares on the way out the door departs as you leave.

​It's official.  2020 has arrived.  I spend some quiet time on New Years Day praising God for all he helped me accomplish this past year and asking him to help me see what's yet to be done in the new year.  If you are anything like me, there's plenty on my todo list yet leftover from 2019.  I began to get bogged down in my thoughts with a sense of missed opportunities and those silly emotions attached to "if I had only known today what I knew then and did something differently... it would have turned out better."

Once I realized the rabbit hole I had wandered into, I was able to capture my thoughts and rest in the fact of knowing the real truth.  God promises that just as He is the master planner, even in my shortcomings, all things are working to His good and prosperous plan.  (Jeremiah 29:11).  I don't need to look back with regretful "what if's" because I can look forward to God's best "what's next."

In a Frogpose yoga class, during Mountain Pose, you will often here the verbal cue to set your gaze upward.  In this moment, it's a wonderful opportunity to energetically take eyes off the problems and "if only's" and look to heaven.  After a few breaths, the body, the mind and the spirit remember that temporal earthly things aren't our focus but rather a look to the hills is from where help comes. (Psalm 121:1)
 

With eyes on the prize, and pressing to what's ahead in 2020, I'm excited to see what God's going to do in the next year. You are invited to join our prayer at Frogpose which is to have more University of Colorado students coming to their mats on a regular basis.  I'm not sure what that will look like but I know God does.  Guaranteed there are young Boulder residents, practicing yoga, wanting a spiritual experience that isn't compromising their beliefs.  And we want to reach them!  I'm envisioning putting up posters, making connections with sorority houses, hitting up my pals at faith based campus ministries and more.

If you have any insight or desire to volunteer time and energy toward this effort, let me know.

With eyes on things to come, join us Wednesday at noon for our first Beginner Christian Flow class at noon.  Same place, same channel:  2900 Valmont #F1, Boulder.

PS - Future Date to Save For:  1/14/19 Red Rocks Sports Christian Yoga 4/24-26 Women's Yoga Retreat

What joy we have in Christmas!  

There's parties to attend, presents to buy, people to visit,and bacon-wrapped dates to eat.  Plus, we have our traditions. Are you the type who's allowed to open one present on Christmas eve? Or perhaps it's your tradition to go ride over the rivers and through the woods to Grandmother's house?  One tradition that I enjoy is taking a prayerful look at the abundance in my life and sitting down with my checkbook to determine which charities God's directing my funds towards.  I take time to research mission statements and read up on how these organizations are reaching the lost so I can come alongside them financially.   Some years my giving is minimal and some years it's plentiful.  It's not the balance in my bank account that drives me to write the check, but rather the overflow of my heart.

At F.R.O.G.Pose we fully rely on God in our ability to serve the Boulder Community as a direct result of your prayers, volunteerism and charitable donations.   In 2019 we offered 112 donation based Christian stretching classes and 336 students were met with scripture, Christian music, and prayer.  At each 60 minute class we were faithfully and prayerfully expectant that God would heal each heart and life that came to a yoga mat.  


When a student walks through the doors of a Frogpose yoga class he or she is met with the same joy and expectation as you would feel at Christmas: that they may accept God's gift!  Because, regardless of their beliefs, all are welcome and all are loved.  That soul just might experience the divine exchange of sin for salvation merely for showing up for a "free" yoga class.  That's why we do what we do!


Here are what some people are saying about Frogpose:

"It's the highlight of my week"  -MM
"Kate is an excellent instructor.  It is so cool to hear Bible verses while practicing" -BL
"Went on Wednesday and it was amazing.  My body can already feel God working in my mind, body, and soul.." -AD

Joel Belz of World News Group says "you want to support and be involved in organizations where the Bible determines both what people believe and how they behave." There are so many amazing non-profits to chose from and if you are looking for a God centered health care ministry that's committed to delivering Biblical truths, I invite you to support Frogpose with your precious year end giving. We would be very blessed to link arms with you as this unique Christian community continues to build one breath, one physical posture, and one body at a time.  

$150 keeps the lights on for a month.  $25 pays the instructors for a weekly class.  Our overflow of funds is used for advertising on the internet and held in savings in hopes of reaching the point to own our own studio.
Click here to make your tax deductible donation to F.R.O.G Pose.

By God's grace we go into Christmas with a spirit of Peace, Hope, Love, Joy and thankfulness for those of you already committed to our cause.

God bless you!

​Hello Froggers,

The room was packed on Tuesday night!  It was such an incredible gift to see God's people taking time  for themselves in a healthful way.  Imagine an entire room filled with men, women and children wanting to deepen their faith through the practice of Christian yoga.  42 is what we counted!  And the best part is that our love offering for Hope House came to $177!

With the thoughtful guidance of our instructor and Christian Yoga Book Author, Denise Stemple, we moved through a series of challenging physical poses on our yoga mat and set our focus on the meaning of Christmas.  Through the glow of candles on the floor in the shape of a cross, we were moved by meaningful bible verses, Christian songs and carols.  At one point, many were singing along.  I believe everyone in the room came away with a sense of deep Godly peace and comfort by simply showing up.

The Second Tuesday's 7pm Christian Yoga Class that we are offering at Red Rocks Church in Arvada is being enjoyed by a rotation of 4 instructors.  Frogpose is thrilled to be a part of what God's doing in the Red Rocks Sport Ministry.  Always at the core of this beautiful moving meditation of God's word is each teacher's  commitment to the strict teachings of the Bible.  We may approach the teacher's seat with a unique style of exercise but we stand firm on the foundation on the Good News of God.  So, whether you are familiar with stretching on a yoga mat or have never tried it before, this is a wonderful place to start.  All levels are welcomed.  

Mark your calendars for our next evening class in Arvada, January 14, and every 2nd Tuesday after that. Can you make the healthy commitment to show up on your mats in 2020?   We can't wait to see how God is going to stretch your mind, faith and body through 2nd Tuesday Classes this coming year.

Join us this and every Wednesday at noon for our weekly donation based Beginner Power Flow Class at 2900 Valmont Road, #F1, Boulder.  This week's focus will be on God's generosity and the giving of good gifts.  (there's not many shopping days until Christmas!)

James 1:17 - Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

The Holidays are officially upon us!  This is a great time of year to enjoy Christian yoga classes where we, as a community, can focus on the reason for the season, Jesus' birthday.  Get some needed Amen-time on your mat and get into a personal mindset for receiving the Christ.  If you feel alone at this time of year, come to a class.  If you want relief from the hustle and bustle of parties and family, come to a class.  Frogpose Yoga, it does your body good.

Please join us for Wednesday's noon class at 2900 Valmont F1, Boulder and the 2T (2nd Tuesday of each month) 7pm class at Red Rocks Church, Arvada.  All donations to class this week will benefit Hope House.

This Thanksgiving I'm enjoying the privilege of visiting friends and family in the mountains of Santa Cruz.  Today's grey and rainy weather is welcomed by the locals after having months of hot and dry conditions.  As this powerful atmospheric river marches up to meet the hills, I'm watching the tops of grand redwoods sway and move from side to side.  I'm reminded of something I learned from my yoga teacher, "it's the most flexible trees that survive the strongest winds."  Let's hope these big giants are in the same class of thought!

Yesterday we strolled Scott's beautiful property which rests in the company of trees.  My soul feels at home when I'm in the forest because I sense God's presence there as the marriage of breath, wind and Holy Spirit.  I get a heightened awareness of peace and freshness as it awakens all my senses.  I bath in the forest as I smell the soft floor beneath my feet and my eyes gaze up sturdy tree trunks that support lively canopies.  Our walk together reminds me of God's support for me.  There's much I learn from God's creation as to how flexible I am in my daily life.  Am I going to allow the ill winds blow me over or am I going to lean into God's strength and take a deep breath?  

When I invite people to enjoy a donation based Frog Pose Christian yoga class I often hear the excuse that they claim fame to tight muscles, the inability to touch toes, and hence, are unable to participate.  Being flexible in the body is not necessary in order to benefit from the effects of the class.  All we ask is that you present yourself with a yoga mat, some water and a flexible mindset.  You will be met with a teacher who will gently guide you through 60 minutes of a healthful moving meditation, which incorporates deep breathing, stretching, and hearing from God's word.  Incorporating this practice into your regular exercise routine will not only be an encouragement to your faith but it will undoubtedly increase flexibility in your muscles and ligaments.  The flexibility will come as you grow in strength.  

Come as you are to Frog Pose Yoga this Wednesday at noon, even if you don't feel flexible enough.

Matthew 12:8 - ...I prefer a flexible heart to an inflexible ritual...    ~ the message

Have you ever spent a weekend skiing in Steamboat and enjoying its famous deep Champagne powder?  There's nothing more thrilling than dropping into a snow laden forest to realize the awesomeness of God's beauty.  Get me off a groomed run not only in pursuit of a series of fresh tracks, but to feel my simple LOVE for the forest.  And, the rule of tree skiing is to always go with friend; use the buddy system for support and safety.

Before I sold real estate, I pursued Environmental Conservation.  I'll admit it. I am a tree-hugger at heart.  The Japanese practice of Shinrin-yoku, forest bathing, is the mindful taking in of the sights, smells and sounds of the trees to reduce the overactive modern brain.  Two studies have shown that the forest reduces cortisol, the stress hormone, and reduces blood pressure and increases the protein adiponectin, which helps regulate blood sugar levels.  There's knowledge to gain by putting yourself in the middle of some trees.
One of the most beautiful yoga poses that we take as a community in Frog Pose Yoga is the Tree Pose.  Individually, we come to our mats with our unique shapes, strengths and struggles.  Collectively we rise in solidarity as a mighty forest as we enjoy the benefits of balancing on one foot, an opening of the hips, and lengthening of the spine.  

Are you the righteous oak, the cedar of Lebanon, a fruit baring tree and still trying to find your forest? Just like with tree skiing, don't go it alone!  Please plug into our loving non-judgmental community at Frog Pose Yoga.  Join us any Wednesday at noon for a beginner power flow class and establish new roots!

Genesis 2:9 - The LORD God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground - trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food.  In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good an evil.

Join us for our Wednesday noon class as a time of thanksgiving.  

From all of us at Frogpose yoga, we say thank you!  Thanks for your support, prayers and generosity throughout the year.  We couldn't do it without you and for that we are truly grateful.  As God continues to build our healthful, heart-first community, we are blessed beyond measure.  Keep up the good work and keep on stretching!  As we look to 2020 we want to keep our clear vision on the prize:  to build a God centered community of healthy warriors for Christ, on and off our yoga mats. 

Have you ever been to Hawaii?  The moment I get off the plane, I'm overwhelmed by the smell of tropical paradise as the trade winds stir the air with its fragrant flowers.  It's been explained to me that the phrase "aloha" means "to be with breath. "  This is an image of the railroad straight-up-the-crater hike we took.  Talk about heavy breathing!

In the Bible, it says that when God made man, He formed him from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, AND the man became a living being.  Our breath is a gift from God.  Do you want to just be alive or do you want to thrive?
The key to real life is all in our breath!

Let's be honest, to get to a daily yoga class can prove difficult in our busy lives.  Here's something you can try on your own.  The next time you're in a stressful situation, take inventory of your breath.  I can bet, if you're anything like me, it's short sips of air that seem to take over.  God would rather if you took a tall spine, reached the crown of your head towards Him and filled your lungs with the life giving breath he's gifted you with.  Inhale his Holy Spirit and soon the stress will melt off you and you can place it at Jesus' feet.

Sara became Sar-AH!  Abram became Abra-HAM!  A BIG EXHALE.  SO can you!
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Come to any Frogpose Christian Yoga Class and come into a deeper understanding of how our breath, along with physical postures and focus on God's word heals our bodies. 

Acts 17:25 - God himself gives to all mankind life and breath and Everything!

Lately I’ve noticed spiky white hairs growing out of the top of my scalp.  All the other hairs lay down nicely, yet these wiry ones have a great desire to stick straight out.  They spout with exuberant pride and I want to pluck them out of embarrassment.  Is this the not-so-subtle reminder that I turn a whopping 52 years of age on Wednesday?  Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained in the way of righteousness! (Proverbs 16:31) Right??

What’s a birthday worth anyway? Some of my friends groan about another year going by and don’t even want it recognized.  Or they pretend to quit adding years and repeat celebrating the same age of choice year after year.  Perhaps they might consider making a sequel to Groundhog Day called Groundhog Year!  Others, like myself, makes sure everyone around me has the knowledge of my birthday weeks in advance and I plan to celebrate the whole month long!

In chapter 2 of The Purpose Driven Life, Rick Warren writes that we are not an accident.  “Your birth was no mistake or mishap, and your life is no fluke of nature.  Your parents my have not planned you, but God did.  He was not surprised by your birth.  In fact, he expected it.”  God planned and expected your birth!  What a fantastic reason to jump for joy each year.  His eyes saw me in my Mom’s womb and knit me together for a special reason: to experience true love with the God of the universe. (Psalm 139)

Birthdays are worth throwing a party for yourself regardless of the number of silver threads on your head!

At Frogpose yoga we fully rely on God to enjoy practicing standing poses with torsos folded forward which help combat the effects of aging.  In class you might hear your instructor introduce the pose named Wide Leg Forward Fold.  This one helps set our focus on giving our problems over to God and in the process, reduces stress.  In Fountain of Youth Pose the thyroid is massaged and we notice reduction of grey hairs and wrinkles!  Stress doesn’t only make you look older it also ages your genes but when we join in community on our yoga mats to pray, breath and take physical poses, we experience healing and a renewal of life.
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We would love to have your presence, not presents, this week at our Wednesday noon class at 2900 Valmont F1 and 2nd Tuesday monthly yoga at Red Rocks Church Arvada.

​During any given frog pose yoga beginner power flow class, chances are good that you’ll hear your instructor offer verbal cues beginning with the word reach.  “Reach your hands heavenward.” “Reach the left leg high.” “Reach with a long spine.” Depending on how you’re feeling at that moment, especially if your body or mind is in a period of rebellion or exhaustion, to hear such encouraging words is the difference between continuing to hold the challenging pose or giving into more of the same.

Why do we practice as a group?   We gather on our yoga mats not just to stretch and to learn about God but also to encourage those around us.  Most importantly everyone wants healing.  There’s nothing better than to collectively heal in community.  God designed our bodies to practice yoga with others so as to resonate with other healthy bodies - similar to a tuning fork.  We need each other to offer words of encouragement, prayer and support to continue in our pursuit for health.  Our great physician, Jesus said “where two or more are gathered, there He would be also.”(Matthew 18:20)

My friend called and mentioned she had a difficult day.  Realistically, it’s been a difficult series of days, weeks and months. She admitted that she hasn’t felt warm fuzzies from her sphere of friends and she wanted healing.  I celebrate her for verbalizing her disappointment and for reaching out to me.  Life is hard to go at it alone. Sometimes I need to find encourager's in life and move towards those who refuse to let me to remain locked in bondage.  In this season, I’m frequently asking myself, am I an encouragement to those in my life or am I enabling them to remain stuck in their difficulties?

Our friends matter.  What is holding you back from reaching for true freedom? In Girl, Wash Your Face, Rachel Hollis says “the time when god is stretching you and growing you or forging you in fires hotter than you can withstand – all of it is growing you for the person you are becoming, for a future you cant even imagine.”  Stay in the fire and reach for your future!
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Join us this week as we celebrate reaching for the good things God has for us.  Wednesday at noon at 2900 Valmont Road F1.

I’m so happy and thrilled to announce a new event happening with Frogpose Yoga.  Together with Denise Stemple, Lorie Corrado and Niki Sparks we are honored to be serving the Arvada community with:

FREE Christian Yoga Classes
Offered monthly on 2nd Tuesdays
7:00-8:00 p.m.
Red Rocks Church, Arvada Campus
(park and enter on the east side)

All-level classes open to everyone.
Bring a mat and water bottle.
Enjoy rotating instructors.

 1 Peter 4:10 -- "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms." 
How do the Four Pillars of Red Rocks Church Sports Ministry relate to Christian Yoga? 
 Dynamic Sports: yoga is a beneficial supplement to other activities as it increases flexibility allowing for further range of motion, strengthens the stabilizing muscles needed for everyday life and movement, uses a larger range of muscles to better balance out the overuse of some and no use of other muscles, and calms the mind enhancing the ability to hear from God 
Fostering Life-long Relationships: many of our instructors and students have formed their closest friendships in class
Passion to Serve Our Community: having a healthy, able body allows us to go out and fulfill our God-given purpose
Spiritual Pursuit: we invite the Holy Spirit to speak as we quiet our minds to hear His still, small voice from the sacred space on our mat
 Please join us Wednesday for our regularly scheduled 60 minutes of stretching and learning about God’s word as it relates to our practice on our mats.  Mark your calendars for the 2nd Tuesdays in Arvada (next class is November 12) as 4 different yoga instructors expand on the 4 pillars of the Red Rocks Church Sports Ministry by leading God focused stretching on a yoga mat.
And stay tuned for the announcement of our next weekend retreat!

It’s sweater weather!  With that comes all things pumpkin spice and breathing in the colors of the season.  Today was one of those rare days when the beautiful snow peaked mountains and Colorado blue sky served merely as a backdrop to the glorious red and orange tree leaves of fall.  “God’s country” is what people call this place and I can’t argue.  From the infamous yellow aspen to fiery flaming maple, I can’t help notice God’s joyful fingerprint on His creation through trees.
I feel the same observable joy when I see my first palm tree upon arriving on a tropical vacation.  I understand God’s generosity and provision for me when I encounter fruit baring trees; they seem to produce more food than what I comprehend as possible.  Once I stood in the presence of the great Redwoods of California and felt the sheer awesomeness of God.
In Frogpose yoga, one of the more practiced balancing poses is “tree pose” as it’s a great way to grow into equanimity, balance and sturdiness.   We work up to the pose once we have warmed up both the spine, legs and abdominal core.  From standing at the top of the mat, start by planting one leg as the firm foundation (such as the word of God), and then bend the knee of the other leg, set that free foot onto the standing leg.  Breath and balance.  And then try the other leg to make things equal. 
​ Whether you are new to stretching on a yoga mat or have many years under your belt, balancing poses can prove challenging.  Wobbles and wiggles are welcomed because we practice being present in God’s word, not being perfect.  Sometimes one leg feels easier to balance on than the other.  We don’t judge ourselves or those on the mat around us because we are single minded: to grow sturdy and strong in Christ.
Join us this week as we use breath, physical postures and a focus on God’s word about trees to learn more about healthfulness and faithfulness.  Together, in community, let’s come to an understanding that it’s the most flexible trees that withstand the strongest winds and life’s change of seasons.