If you are looking for a fantastic upper body workout, you will love Upper Body Sculpt. Just as in all Pietra Fitness classes, you will begin this 35-minute routine working on your breath—focusing on the present moment and calming your nervous system. Tara will then guide you through a series of stretches to loosen up your neck, chest, shoulders, sides, and the entire backside of your body before entering into the main focus of the workout. Get ready to strengthen your triceps, biceps, shoulders, chest, core and back with planks, pushups, chest lifts, and more. You will also work your glutes and quads as you do arm work while in lunge 2, and release tension in your inner thighs and hips during the long hold. The Scriptures remind you of the presence of the Holy Spirit within your soul, and Tara teaches you a powerful way to reflect on the words in the meditations.
Excerpt from In Conversation with God, Francis Fernandez (Scepter Press)
Lent: Free Flowin' is a challenging Level I workout that stretches and strengthens your entire body in just 30 minutes. After a short warm-up that helps you focus on your breath and engage your core and glutes, Tekla will lead you through fast-paced flows to open up your chest and inner thighs; tone your midsection, shoulders, arms, and back; and build up the muscles in your glutes, quads, and hamstrings. The Scriptures and meditations remind you of the importance of prayer—even Jesus spent time talking with God. By the time you make the sign of the cross at the end of this class, you will be moving better, breathing lighter, and feeling closer to God.
Excerpt from In Conversation with God, Francis Fernandez (Scepter Press)
Sitting at a desk, in front of a computer, or in the car for extended periods of time day after day can cause the muscles and tendons in your back and hips to become tight and sore. Sedentary Rx is a soothing remedy. By targeting these tense areas, this 42-minute workout will not only open up your back, neck, shoulders, chest, hips, and inner thighs but also make them stronger. The Scriptures and meditations on St. Joseph, Jesus' earthly father, invite you to reflect on ways that you can imitate St. Joseph's great faith, courage, and humility in your own life.
Excerpt from In Conversation with God, Francis Fernandez (Scepter Press)
If you have never experienced a Level I class, Rock-Solid Foundation is the perfect workout to start with—especially if you are a busy parent and need a break from the daily chaos. During this balanced 50-minute class, Tekla will talk you through all the postures and movements, making it easy for you to follow along and understand the muscles you are stretching and strengthening. From breathwork and longholds to planks and lunges, Rock-Solid Foundation will help you relax tight muscles, reset your mind and soul, and feel strong all over. The Scriptures and meditations focus on the example of the Holy Family and invite you to think about how you can bring peace into your home.
Excerpt from In Conversation with God, Francis Fernandez (Scepter Press)
Looking to take your Pietra Fitness practice up a notch? Raise the Bar incorporates exercises and postures that are sure to challenge your balance, flexibility, and overall strength. From V-sits and half-linked backbends to unique twists and poses, this 49-minute class will ignite every muscle in your body. The Scriptures and meditations remind you what it means to be a child of God and invite you to reflect on ways you can have more trust in your Heavenly Father.
Excerpt from In Conversation with God, Francis Fernandez (Scepter Press)
Shoulders and core and glutes, oh my! This 43-minute total body workout will stretch and strengthen your body from head to toe, increasing your range of motion and filling you with a sense of accomplishment. Get ready to work on your endurance, too, as you perform multiple reps of each exercise. The Scriptures and meditations invite you to reflect on the true meaning—and source—of peace, filling you with tranquility and empowering you to bring peace to everyone you encounter.
Excerpt from In Conversation with God, Francis Fernandez (Scepter Press)
Get outdoors with Tara in this balanced 40-minute workout that will refresh not only your body but also your soul. You will begin [Class Title] in a comfortable seated position, working on your breath and releasing any anxieties and worries so you can focus on the present moment, God, and the class. After warming up your body with a series of stretches, Tara will lead you through elevated chest lifts, high lunges, planks, single-leg V-sits, and other exercises—with suggested modifications—that will test your balance and strengthen your shoulders, back, glutes, core, and more. The Scriptures and meditations present rest and relaxation as opportunities to seek God, and they invite you to reflect on how you spend your free time. NOTE: At times it may be hard to hear Tara because of the ocean waves.
Excerpt from In Conversation with God, Francis Fernandez (Scepter Press)
Join Tara in sunny Florida for this calming beachside workout. You will begin Boundless Beauty in a comfortable cross-legged seated position, engaging your core while focusing on your breath and drawing yourself into the present moment. Through a flow of stretches, gentle twists, modified push ups, chestlifts, squats, and more, you will engage every muscle in your body while recognizing that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. The Scriptures and meditations will help you appreciate the beauty that is all around you and invite you to be a bearer of beauty to the world. By the end of the 36-minute class, you will feel strong, confident, and relaxed. NOTE: At times it may be hard to hear Tara because of the ocean waves.
Based on "Gazing at the Beauty of the Lord," Thomas Dubay
Whether you enjoy Gentle, Level 1, or Level II Pietra Fitness classes, Advent: Peace 101 can benefit you, especially if you are familiar with ways to modify poses for your body. This balanced 30-minute class will have you constantly flowing through the strengthening exercises and poses, building heat and hitting every major muscle group. Since the Scriptures and meditations invite you to reflect on filling your heart with peace during Advent, this is a great workout to do in the weeks leading up to Christmas—or anytime you want to foster more peace in your life.
Excerpt from In Conversation with God, Francis Fernandez (Scepter Press)
Get your heart rate up as you stretch and strengthen your entire body in Advent: Energy Boost. During this 40-minute workout, you will combine high lunges with chest openers, pike splits with crunches, and more, engaging multiple muscles with each exercise and encouraging your body to work even harder. If you need to modify some of the moves based on your own body, Chris will provide a few options for you throughout the class, making this an effective workout for all skill levels. While the Scriptures and meditations focus on the advent of Christmas, the words are encouraging all year round and will remind you that set apart from God there is no happiness.
Excerpt from In Conversation with God, Francis Fernandez (Scepter Press)
Wind down at the end of the day with Night Prayers. The slow, soothing moves and brief daily examen in this class will help you release any physical, emotional, and mental tension and stress you may have been carrying with you throughout the day—filling your body and soul with a sense of peace. By the end of this 25-minute class, your entire being will feel relaxed and prepared for a restful night sleep in God's loving care.
Dawn and Dusk Take Turns Calling, Stanton Lanier; Ave Maria, Benedictines of Mary, Queen of the Apostles
Building upon the basic movements utilized in Gentle classes, this Level I workout will get your blood flowing through an invigorating combination of floor work, standing exercises, and balance postures. Total Body Boost is focused on strengthening and toning your legs, but the quick transitions and longer holds will have your entire body working. This 60-minute class will revitalize not only your body but also your soul as you meditate on God's steadfast love and inexhaustible mercy.
Agnus Dei, Tallis Scholars
Building upon the fundamental postures introduced in Level I classes, this 60-minute workout focuses on refining poses and building stamina. The challenging sequences and transitions in Strength & Endurance will help you increase your muscle strength and control, flexibility, and balance. While having a strong physique is highly regarded, the meditations are a good reminder that the pursuit of physical strength must be rightly ordered—for true strength is only found in God.
Desolata, Where Are You, Salmo 122 performed by Sr. Raffaella Cavallin; O Sanctissima, Ave Maria by the Benedictines of Mary
Bend and twist your way to a stronger and more flexible midsection with Core Stability. In this 27-minute class, you will transition between seated, kneeling, and standing postures and flows that safely stretch and strengthen the sides of your body. And because poses such as high lunge, chest lift, lunge II, angle pose, and more utilize muscles in your shoulders, arms, chest, back, glutes, and legs, your whole body will get a good workout and feel energized. By the end of the class, you will surely be filled with happiness and joy—and an increased love of God.
Excerpt from In Conversation with God, Francis Fernandez (Scepter Press)
Walking on Air, Stanton Lanier; Introit Requiem, The Norbertine Fathers of St. Michael's Abbey
Does your body feel a little stiff when you wake up in the morning? From your neck and your chest to your back and hamstrings, Morning Stretch will loosen up your muscles—giving your entire body a much-needed stretch. You will begin this 21-minute class in a comfortable cross-legged seated position, working on your breath and being grateful to God for the gift of another day. As you flow through low lunges, modified side planks, half backbends, and other postures and exercises that lengthen your muscles, you will pause to meditate on a prayer that St. Francis used to praise God. By the time you finish this workout, you will be moving easier and poised to praise God with your entire being throughout the day.
Breathe, Stanton Lanier; Grandual Si Ambulem, The Norbertine Fathers of St. Michael's Abbey
Take a step back from the physical, mental, and emotional demands of your everyday life with Restore Your Temple. Beginning with the peaceful pace, movements, and music in the warm-up, this 50-minute restorative workout will help you reduce stress, calm your mind, and relax your body. The Scriptures and meditation will remind you that you are a temple of the Holy Spirit and invite you to ask Jesus to restore any areas of your being that are in need of repair. Whether you are a new to Pietra Fitness or a long-time practitioner, the floor work, standing exercises, and slow transitions in Restore Your Temple will gently improve your strength, flexibility, and balance.
If you sit for long periods of time during the day or have tight hips, Hip Mobility & Flexibility is for you. Ease into this energizing 35-minute workout with gentle stretches, and then perform a series of lunges and dynamic moves to open up and release tension in your hip flexors and hip abductor muscles. With Scriptures and meditations reminding you that every day is a gift, this class is a powerful way to begin your morning, and it will inspire you to make good use of your time.
Excerpt from In Conversation with God, Francis Fernandez (Scepter Press)
Start your morning by sculpting your abs and offering your day to God with Core Challenge. Through a series of planks, challenging moves that target your midsection, and reflections that focus on doing everything for the glory of God, this quick workout will both stretch and strengthen your core and invite you to meditate on the ways that making a morning offering to God can impact your life.
Excerpt from In Conversation with God, Francis Fernandez (Scepter Press)
Awaken the Dawn, Stanton Lanier
With poses and moves that challenge your balance and engage your entire body, Grounded will help you realize you have the strength to get through anything life throws at you. The Scriptures and meditations in this 25-minute workout will awaken your soul to God's constant presence and ability to calm your storms, filling you with a sense of peace that doesn't end with the class.
Excerpt from In Conversation with God, Francis Fernandez (Scepter Press)
Don't have a lot of time in the morning? This short 18-minute class is a quick way to prepare your body, mind, and soul for the day through exercise and prayer. You will begin Sunrise Stretch in a cross-legged seated position, working on your breath and thanking God for the gift of today. Through a series of twists, side bends, arm circles, and more, you will loosen up your neck, shoulders, back, and hips. By the end of the workout, you will feel accomplished and ready to take on the day with God in your heart.
This Very Moment, Stanton Lanier; Introit Requiem, The Norbertine Fathers of St. Michael's Abbey
Twists are great for strengthening the muscles up and down your spine, improving posture, and increasing flexibility so you can perform everyday movements with ease. Tone & Twist leads you through several series of safe and effective twists that will work and stretch your entire core while engaging other muscles in your body for stability. You will also find pushups and postures that stretch your chest, legs, and hips. With Scriptures and meditations that remind you of your dependence on God and invite you to ask Him for whatever you need for the day, this 27-minute workout is a powerful way to start your morning.
Excerpt from In Conversation with God, Francis Fernandez (Scepter Press)
Bread of Angels, Stanton Lanier; Lux Aeterna; Requiescant, The Norbertine Fathers of St. Michael's Abbey
Lower your current stress level and learn five ways to manage your everyday worries and anxieties with Let Go, Let God. As you progress through this peaceful 23-minute class, deep breathing and gentle stretches will help you release tension in your neck, shoulders, back, and hips. Although subtle, the strengthening movements in this workout target the muscles in your back, core, and quads. The Scriptures and meditations will help you place your trust in God and focus on the present moment.
Based on content from Dynamic Catholic
Peace, Stanton Lanier; Agnus Dei, The Norbertine Fathers of St. Michael's Abbey
When your back muscles are tight or weak, everyday movements can be difficult and painful. Increase your range of motion and safely stretch and strengthen not only your back but also your shoulders with Back BeneFIT. This 30-minute class is done entirely on the floor and incorporates a series of twists, bends, chest openers, forward folds, and other gentle movements that benefit your entire core. The Scriptures and meditations remind you that God always has your back—He will never let you down when you place your hope and confidence in Him alone.
Sanctus, The Norbertine Fathers of St. Michael's Abbey
A refreshing class that will help you improve your strength and flexibility while melting away the tension. Being outdoors reveals God’s beauty, glory, power, and wisdom and shows His loving care for us. It’s appropriate that the meditation is on the Feminine Gift of Beauty.
Excerpt from Manual for Women, Danielle Bean (TAN). Used with permission.
The Nobertine Fathers of St. Michael's Abbey (www.stmichaelsabbey.com)