Keeping Physically and Spiritually Fit

Workshop members will explore the relationship between physical and spiritual fitness through exercise, worship sharing and group sports. The workshop will provide a safe, intentional fitness/sport group whose members will support each other through responding to a variety of queries as well as engaging in physical activity such as running and playing games. The workshop is designed for high schoolers and adult young friends who enjoy participating in sports and are interested in examining how their physical activity affects their overall well being including their spiritual life.
The intent of the workshop is to provide a safe environment in which participants feel open to share personal experiences and learn from others. Topics to be covered through worship sharing and discussion are: How does your physical life connect with your spiritual life? Why are you physically active? How is your identity defined by your physical activity? Have you accepted your body shape? What role does your concern about body image play in your motivation to exercise? How do expectations relating to gender roles affect your participation in exercise and sports? What role does competition play in your participation in sports? Do you understand the connection between what you eat and your overall well being? Does exercise serve as an emotional outlet for you? Is exercise a spiritual experience for you? How can we make exercise meditative?
The entire workshop will be outside. The group will meet at the designated place and begin our sessions with a twenty-minute jog to a worshipful space for sixty minutes of worship sharing and discussion. We will then transition into the sport/game of the day (e.g. soccer, ultimate, kickball, volleyball).
Participants must be in good physical condition and able to participate in ninety minutes of intermittent physical activity. They should bring running shoes and athletic clothes.