Yoga.

Yoga_begin

Welcome to our Yoga page! We believe in nurturing both body and spirit. Our yoga classes are offered to support your spiritual health and designed to help you find peace, strength, and connection. Here, you’ll find detailed information about each of our classes and easy links to sign up. We invite you to join us on this journey to holistic well-being.

Yoga 101.

A Six-Week Series for Beginners (and seasoned yogis too!)

September 18-October 23 • Wednesdays • 6:00-7:00 PM • St. Catherine's Parish Hall

All are welcome to a beginner yoga series. This six week series will teach basic foundations of yoga and is appropriate for all body types and abilities. Whether it's your first try at yoga or your 100th, we'd love to meet you on the mat. Give your body and yourself the gift of time and care. Bring a yoga mat and a water bottle!

Sept 18: Week One: Standing Poses

Sept 25: Week Two: Balancing Poses

Oct 2: Week Three: Heart Openers

Oct 9: Week Four: Twists

Oct 16: Week Five: Hip Openers

Oct 23: Week Six: Restorative Yoga

What is Catechesis of the Good Sphepherd?

The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) is a religious formation approach based on scripture and liturgy that uses the educational and pedagogical principles of Dr. Maria Montessori. The CGS roots are in the Roman Catholic tradition and have been adapted for the Episcopal Church. The Catechism of the Episcopal Church, found in the back of the Book of Common Prayer, is a series of questions and answers that outline our faith. In comparison, the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is framed to where children are encouraged to ask the questions and to discover the answers through work with specially crafted presentations and materials. The content corresponds to the liturgical seasons and the life of the church.
What is an Atrium?

The atrium is an environment prepared to nurture the already present spirituality of children. Dr. Montessori borrowed the term “atrium” from the early church, as it was the space where the catechumens were prepared for Baptism. The atrium contains a variety of hands-on materials that are developmentally appropriate for the age range of children that they serve. The catechists and other parishioners have made many of the materials as part of their own personal formation experience.
Who or What is a Catechist?

Each atrium has at least one catechist--a teacher trained in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd method--along with assistant-trained adults. Their role is to prepare the environment and present lessons that inspire children to draw closer to God, asking questions like, "Who are you, God? How do you love us? What is the Kingdom of God like? What is our place in it?" Adults and children explore these questions together, learning from each other through the Scriptures and the prepared environment. Catechists undergo background and security checks in addition to their training.
What Materials are Used?

Materials in the atrium are attractively and carefully displayed. Most items have been lovingly hand made by our parishioners. The most important characteristic of the materials is their close link to the biblical and liturgical sources. “The material consists of concrete “signs” of a transcendent reality (and) is a way of letting the child prolong, alone with the inner teacher, the meditation begun together with the adult.” — Sofia Cavalletti The children explore the materials at their own pace. This freedom allows the children’s understanding to develop and deepen.
Why do Children Spend Three Years in One Atrium?

Each level of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd contains three years of material. Even though children may remain in the same classroom they are receiving new lessons each year. A benefit of remaining in the same classroom is that a child may revisit a previous lesson with new perspectives or questions. “The themes (presented to the youngest children) serve as a bud; they unfold as the children grow, according to their developmental needs.” — Catherine Maresca Some of our atria serve children in a two or three year age span. This gives everyone the opportunity to be the younger child who watches and learns from the older children and to be the older child who is a role model for the others.
Are Adults Allowed in the Atrium?

Any parishioner is welcome to schedule a time when they can come and observe an atrium, come for presentations for themselves, or simply come to explore the space. In addition, there will be an “Open Atrium” one Sunday during the year when the children can bring their parents into the atrium and give them their favorite presentations or show them their favorite work. During the Sunday School Hour our attentions are focused on the children.
How can I Become More Involved?

We are always looking for folks to assist and to become trained catechists. We need materials made. We have a list of items that can be purchased and gifted to the atria. There is reading if you’re interested. You can come for presentations by making an appointment with a catechist. Please make yourself known to us if you hear that quiet little voice calling you to the Catechesis in any way. It is our joy and pleasure to talk with you about your involvement in Catechesis.
What are some other sources of information about Catechesis of the Good Shepherd?

St. Catherine’s Episcopal Church is a member of the National Association of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, USA. For more information on Catechesis of the Good Shepherd please visit the National Association’s website: www.cgsusa.org
What are the ages of the children served by the CGS?

As with the Montessori model, each atrium serves a three-year age span of children up to age 12. We have four atria, located on the main floor of the parish, serving a variety of ages: Toddler Atrium: 18 months to Age 3 Level I Atrium: Ages 3-6 Level II Atrium: Ages 6-9 Level III Atrium: Ages 9-12

Monday Night Yoga.

Vinyasa Flow with Katie: open to all levels!

Mondays, Beginning September 30, 2024 | 5:00 PM | Parish Hall

Join us for a transformative practice of yoga. We will match breath to movement and learn how to refine postures to build strength, balance, mobility and flexibility. Beyond the physical benefits, yoga offers tools to manage stress, anxiety and can provide emotional well-being. This class is suitable for all levels.Whether you are new to yoga or have an established practice, this class welcomes you to explore in a supportive community environment.You will need a yoga mat, comfortable clothes and a water bottle.

Suggested Offerings $

$10 (Suggested offering, no one will be turned away.)*

*Please make payments directly to Katie.

Friday Afternoon Yoga.

Gentle Yoga with Becky: Open to all levels!

9/6/2024 - 2:00 PM | Parish Hall

Becky’s gentle yoga classes are appropriate for all levels of students seeking a slower and gentler practice of yoga. The classes link together slower flowing movements, seated and supine poses, along with a few standing poses for balance. Modification are offered for those students who are new to the practice of yoga. Please arrive 5 minutes prior to class to allow time to set up and settle.

Suggested Offerings $

$10 (Suggested offering)

$5 (Buy me a coffee offering)

$0 (Come as you are)*

*Please make payments directly to Becky.