Psalms & Stretches

Psalms & Stretches is a day retreat with a difference.

Come and experiance a unique exercise class that combines gentle movement with meditation on scripture from the book of Psalms. Classes are designed to promote physical and spiritual wellness, helping participants to find peace and strength through the power of God's word.

We start with a short prayer and reading our chosen verse from the Psalms, then we get moving with a warm-up of gentle stretches and mobilisation exercises for the body (this bit feels a bit like a Pilates class), before learning a sequence of movement that is set to the words of our chosen Psalm.

This choregraphed exercise sequence we call a Psalm Sequence, and it's not just exercise! It's a way to pray through the Psalm and to connect with it in visceral way. By committing the verse not only to our minds but to our muscle memory also, we fully embody the words and are able to worship through it - it becomes a moving meditation.

At the end of class there is a time of relaxation and we close with a prayer.

For participants of all degrees of flexability. There are a limited number of exercise mats available, but if you have your own, please bring it.

Our day starts with refreshments from 9:30am with the first session at 10am.

Your ticket includes lunch and refreshments 

Psalms&Stretches was devised several years ago and has grown both nationally and internationally. 

It is prayerful and meditative – it’s where “wellness meets worship”.

Pip Jacobson is a committed member of her local church and a busy mum of three young adults – supporting their family start-up business (usually with food!). She is a qualified Pilates teacher and, using this experience, trained as a Psalms&Stretches instructor.

Pip delivers sessions at her home church that are attended ecumenically, and she is looking forward to offering this blessing even wider.

Gill Morgan is a retired primary teacher with a leaning towards the arts, friends, family and faith are the mainstays of my life. 

'My heart is drawn to contemplative spirituality, my passion is to draw others to discover this too, and to experience the inner stillness to be found in silence. For over 12 years now I have opened my home and my garden to host and lead Quiet Garden Days under the banner of the Quiet Garden Movement, more recently becoming a trustee.

My faith has been strengthened during some dark times in my life and this has increased my awareness of God with me at all times. 

I am fairly new to ‘Psalms and Stretches’ having only done a couple of courses under Pip’s guidance myself; involving the body in such a contemplative way has opened new possibilities and I am looking forward to sharing the day with Pip.'