Prayer-cize: A spiritual way to work out!

"Y'all ready for the rhythm now?!" Pastor Kim Stubbs yelled, getting the guests in her class warmed up. The classroom was full of residents from St. Vincent de Paul's De Paul and Ozanam Manors. They had already worked up a sweat, but they were just getting started on the spiritual workout.

Pastor Kim and SVdP wellness coordinator Maria Castro led the exercise group class that they called "Prayercize." Through a use of easy, low-intensity exercises and gospel music, they created an environment where residents could get a pump going while also feeling closer to God.

"It's beautiful and something that we all need in our lives," said Barbara Anderson, one of the residents who participated in the class. "It's very important to get started in the morning with a good exercise, to get your mind going."

Pastor Kim thought it was important to integrate the spiritual aspect into the workout because of how easy it is to overlook in people's daily lives.

"How can you see people in their physical state and bypass their spirit? Their spirit needs help, their spirit needs healing," she said. "In order to get to the heart of a matter, you have to touch a person's spirit."

Kristopher Temple, another one of the guests who attended the class, liked how the class brought together so many people. 

"Everybody here, staff and the residents, are all great. They respect each other and show each other love," he said. "They have everything together, and we're all a big family here."