Theology of the Body
Strengthen and enrich your body, mind, and soul with the Theology of the Body Series.
You will definitely feel the burn with this 30-minute arms and shoulders workout—but with modifications, people of all skill levels can benefit from the exercises in this routine. You will begin class standing in posture pose, working on your breath and calling to mind a few blessings in your life. Loosen up your body by rolling your shoulders, circling your arms, bending and twisting to the side, and folding forward. Once you are warmed up, you will flow from pike to plank to lunge 2, engaging the muscles up and down your legs and in your entire core. Get your upper body involved with two sets of shoulder rotations, bicep curls, and triceps extensions—all while in lunge 2. (For an extra challenge, do these exercises while holding 1–2 lb weights in each hand.) After a series of overhead shoulder raises, you will transition to the mat to give your muscles a quick rest. Then, fire up your shoulders, arms, chest, back, and core with planks and push-ups. When most people work on their arms and shoulders, they tend to forget about the small—but important—muscles in the rotator cuff. A sequence of shoulder raises will target and strengthen these tiny muscles. Tricep dips and another series of planks and push-ups round out this workout portion of this class, leaving you feeling strong. As you wind down and stretch all the muscles that you just worked, the meditation will explain what Theology of the Body is, in plain language, and help you see your body and the bodies of others through new eyes.Like this class? You will love the other videos in the Theology of the Body Series. Experience them all with 21 Days to Greatness, a 3-week plan that will help you become all God created you to be.
Based on St. John Paul II's Theology of the Body
Composed by Jennifer Dirkes, www.jenniferdirkes.com; Anima mea Antiphon, Norbertine Fathers of St. Michael's Abbey
This 30-minute workout may look easy, but don't let your first impression fool you. Begin Theology of the Body: Glutes & Legs standing in posture pose, focusing on your breath and the many blessings in your life. A series of forward folds, gentle stretches, half-squats, and shoulder rolls will help you warm up your body and release any tension that you may have in your neck, shoulders, back, and hamstrings. Flow to pike and then perform a series of chest lifts to open up your chest and strengthen the muscles in your core and back. Come to prone (face-down) position—but don't get too comfortable. For the rest of the workout you will be doing multiple leg lifts and lunges, toning your hamstrings, quads, and glutes. Don't be surprised if your legs feel a little wobbly by the time you finish your last rep. Wind down with a long, deep hip stretch, gentle backbend, and final twist, which should feel good throughout your entire body. The Scriptures and meditation during this class will help you reflect on what it means to be a human being and will bring you comfort during times of solitude.Like this class? You will love the other videos in the Theology of the Body Series. Experience them all with 21 Days to Greatness, a 3-week plan that will help you become all God created you to be.
Based on St. John Paul II's Theology of the Body
Composed by Jennifer Dirkes, www.jenniferdirkes.com; Anima mea Antiphon, Norbertine Fathers of St. Michael's Abbey
If you're tired of the same old core workout, TOB: Abdominals is your ticket to switching it up. Yes, this 30-minute class incorporates some crunches and planks, but V-sits, revolved angle pose, and other unique exercises will challenge your core in new ways. You will begin this class kneeling, focusing on your breath and the blessings in your life. After warming up your body, you will jump right into a challenging reverse plank series and a few traditional ab-sculpting moves on the mat. Transition to standing for squats and side crunches, targeting your obliques and all the muscles in your legs and glutes. Recruit the muscles in your entire body—and work on your balance—with angle pose, revolved angle pose, and open arabesque. Wind down from this heart-pumping routine by stretching your hamstrings and the muscles in your back, core, and inner thighs. The Scriptures and meditations throughout the class present a divine way to see yourself and others.Like this class? You will love the other videos in the Theology of the Body Series. Experience them all with 21 Days to Greatness, a 3-week plan that will help you become all God created you to be.
Based on St. John Paul II's Theology of the Body
Composed by Jennifer Dirkes, www.jenniferdirkes.com; Anima mea Antiphon, Norbertine Fathers of St. Michael's Abbey
Have you ever wondered what happens to emotions that we try to repress? Very often, those unwanted feelings get stored in our bodies. This 20-minute Gentle class will not only help you release built-up stress in your shoulders, back, and hips, but also calm your mind. You will begin Theology of the Body: Stress Relief lying on your back, working on your breath and focusing on the blessings in your life. As you slowly move through the class, you will perform exercises on the mat that gently stretch and strengthen all the muscles in your body. To work a little harder, keep your core contracted and really engage your muscles as your work. The Scriptures and meditation paint a beautiful picture of God's plan of spousal unity and its relationship to the Trinity.Like this class? You will love the other videos in the Theology of the Body Series. Experience them all with 21 Days to Greatness, a 3-week plan that will help you become all God created you to be.
Based on St. John Paul II's Theology of the Body
Composed by Jennifer Dirkes, www.jenniferdirkes.com; Anima mea Antiphon, Norbertine Fathers of St. Michael's Abbey
If you're looking for a 30-minute back routine that not only stretches and strengthens your back but also works your entire body, you found your ideal class. Begin TOB: Back standing in posture pose, focusing on your breath and calling to mind a few blessings in your life. After a short warm up that will immediately activate the muscles in your back and stretch the sides of your body, you will come to hands and knees while you arch and round your back, stretching and strengthening your entire core. Increase stability in your shoulders with a unique shoulder series, and then fire up your legs with squats. (Raise your arms for an added challenge and to engage your back even more.) Once you transition down to the mat, planks, side planks, chest lifts, lat pull-downs, reverse planks, and more will recruit every muscle in body. Wind down with postures that stretch your chest, inner thighs, hip flexors, and hamstrings to leave you feeling fit, flexible, and fabulous. The Scriptures and meditation in this workout offer a beautiful explanation of the body's ability to express love.Like this class? You will love the other videos in the Theology of the Body Series. Experience them all with 21 Days to Greatness, a 3-week plan that will help you become all God created you to be.
Based on St. John Paul II's Theology of the Body
Composed by Jennifer Dirkes, www.jenniferdirkes.com; Anima mea Antiphon, Norbertine Fathers of St. Michael's Abbey
Is tightness or pain in your back preventing you from doing everyday activities? Increase your spinal mobility and get your body feeling better with TOB: Angle Pose / Side Body. You will begin this calming 30-minute class standing in posture pose, being mindful of your breath and the many blessings in your life. Warm up with postures that help you release any tension you may have in your neck, shoulders, back, and legs, and that stretch the sides of your body. When your body is nice and loose, you will flow into a series of planks and chest lifts to strengthen your entire core and upper back. Transition into lunge 2 to activate the muscles up and down your legs, and incorporate arm movements to get your arms, shoulders, and back involved. If you have tight hips and hamstrings, you will really enjoy the exercises that stretch these joints and muscles. You can also expect to spend some time throughout the workout in angle pose variations, providing a safe, feel-good twist for your spine. The Scriptures and meditation will help you see that the human body—your body—is not something to be ashamed of but a visible sign of your true value and goodness as a person created in the image and likeness of God.Like this class? You will love the other videos in the Theology of the Body Series. Experience them all with 21 Days to Greatness, a 3-week plan that will help you become all God created you to be.
Based on St. John Paul II's Theology of the Body
Composed by Jennifer Dirkes, www.jenniferdirkes.com; Anima mea Antiphon, Norbertine Fathers of St. Michael's Abbey
Because of the natural, everyday wear and tear on our bodies, we can all benefit from restorative workouts like TOB: Restorative. You will begin this relaxing 27-minute Level 1 class standing in posture pose, calming your mind and body with deep breathing and thoughts of gratitude. Warm up with gentle moves that will help you release tension in your neck, shoulders, back, and hamstrings and that loosen up the muscles up and down your spine. Transition to your knees for exercises that open up your chest and hips and stretch the sides of your body. A side extension series will get your blood flowing as you move from side to side, engaging your core and incorporating side bends and leg lifts. The pose for the long hold will increase circulation and feel really good on your back, especially if you use a pillow or block to elevate your hips. Wind down with a series of moves that will stretch your entire body, especially your hamstrings, back muscles, and hips flexors. The Scriptures and meditations in this class invite you to reflect on self-control.Like this class? You will love the other videos in the Theology of the Body Series. Experience them all with 21 Days to Greatness, a 3-week plan that will help you become all God created you to be.
Based on St. John Paul II's Theology of the Body
Composed by Jennifer Dirkes, www.jenniferdirkes.com; Anima mea Antiphon, Norbertine Fathers of St. Michael's Abbey
You don't need to do dozens of crunches in order to tone your midsection—and TOB: Twists proves that. You will begin this 30-minute workout on your back, focusing on your breath and all the things you are grateful for. This is a great way to calm your mind and body so you can detach from the craziness of everyday life to concentrate on the workout. After a full-body stretch, you will transition right into bicycle, targeting your upper and lower abs, as well as your obliques. Work your entire core with a balance pose on your hands and knees, and then flow into a dynamic series of lunges, planks, sides planks, and twists. Another balance pose, this time while standing, will work your quads and lower abs. Side bends, back bends, twists, and other stretches throughout the workout will counterbalance the muscles that you are strengthening. As your recline in inner thigh stretch for the long hold, the Scripture and meditation remind will you that it is only by giving of ourselves that we truly feel fulfilled and happy.Like this class? You will love the other videos in the Theology of the Body Series. Experience them all with 21 Days to Greatness, a 3-week plan that will help you become all God created you to be.
Based on St. John Paul II's Theology of the Body
Composed by Jennifer Dirkes, www.jenniferdirkes.com; Anima mea Antiphon, Norbertine Fathers of St. Michael's Abbey