Afternoon: Arrival at the Assembly Inn, check in between 4 - 5:30 p.m. Pull up to the portico to unload your luggage, and then park in any of the marked parking spaces along the Assembly Inn drive or by the lake.

Dinner: Dinner will be served from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the Assembly Inn Dining Room. All meals are served buffet style. Dinners are usually a choice of two entrees (try them both of you want), vegetables, bread, a complete salad bar, fresh fruit, and lots of yummy desserts. Fresh-brewed iced tea (sweet or unsweet) and coffee available, as well as water and a variety of milk options.

Evening: Our opening program/orientation will be from 7 - 8 p.m. We'll spend some time learning a little about Montreat, going over the schedule, meeting your instructors, getting to know each other a little. We know you'll be tired from your travels, so we'll end by 8 and you may enjoy refreshments and fellowship in the lobby, or retire to your room.

Lodging: Assembly Inn, Montreat Conference Center

Meals Included: Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast 7:30 - 8:30 a.m. in the Assembly Inn Dining Room. Is breakfast your favorite meal of the day? You're in the right place then! Breakfast options change each day, but will incorporate lots of your favorites. Biscuits and gravy, french toast, pancakes, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, grits, hash browns, oatmeal (not the package kind either), and lots of others. Standard offerings include fresh fruit, cereal, yogurt, granola, baked pastries, orange juice and another juice option. Fresh coffee or hot tea will start your morning off right!

Morning: Our first morning class, we will begin our exploration of the Psalms with Jim Chatham. “Psalms, the Poetry of the Human Struggle” Psalms 22 & 23 What does each of these psalms say on its own? What was the Psalms collector suggesting by placing them side-by-side? What situation in your life and mine does this tandem address, and with what message? We will take a fresh look at the best known psalm in the Bible, plus its next-door neighbor. We'll have a mid morning break and then come back to class for our presentation on Total Conditioning with Maya Andrau. We'll discuss and experience Abdominal Breathing, Anatomical Plumb-line, Foot-care massage, Center of Gravity, Aerobic overview, Stretching/Strengthening (neck, shoulders, spine, hips/legs, Relaxation (toes/ankles)

Lunch: Lunch is served from 12:30 - 1:30 in the Assembly Inn Dining Room. Mondays are typically our "build your own sandwich bar" day. Fresh-sliced sandwich meat, a variety of bread offerings, lettuce and tomato slices, and some potato or macaroni salad to join the sandwich... or perhaps a bowl of soup. Don't pass up some crunchy chips and a cookie or brownie for your sweet tooth!

Afternoon: Welcome to our first class on Aerobics for the Brain! This is an opportunity to explore and discover more about the wonders and workings of the brain in a relaxed atmosphere that invites spontaneity and a sense of adventure. It’s not a typical “instructor-at-the-podium” setting, but instead we’ll be seated in a circle and also gather in small groups each day. Improvisation is the heart of this class, along with music and movement that also help sharpen the brain, but have no fear, this is a comfortable and non-threatening environment that’s easy on the body, especially for someone who might need to sit, or for those in a wheelchair. Individuals can choose to participate or observe anytime. Daily handouts, a bibliography and website links will be provided. The Brain: Amazing – Astonishing – Riveting – Reassuring: Today we’ll discuss the cognitive functions of the brain, myths about the brain as we grow older, and we’ll explore the scientific research and practice of using neurobics in our daily lives. After class ends, there'll be an opportunity for a Walk Around Montreat (guided tour of grounds) or free time

Dinner: Dinner, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. at the Assembly Inn Dining Room. Yep, it's time to eat again!

Evening: Evening program, from 7:00 to 8:00 games/cards and tv available in the lobby for fellowship. Perhaps a movie on a big screen, if the group is interested

Lodging: Assembly Inn, Montreat Conference Center

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: 7:30 - 8:30 a.m. another yummy breakfast is served in the Assembly Inn Dining Room. Try something you have tried before (or at least in a long time).

Morning: Early morning lecture on the Psalms with Jim Chatham. Psalm 51 This psalm is radically counter-cultural, out of sorts with the way the world lives. And yet, it stands as the center-document in a major biblical message, spoken from cover to cover. What is the psalm saying? What does it tell us about ourselves and about God? What does it challenge us to do? We'll have a mid morning break and then come back to class for our presentation on Total Conditioning with Maya Andrau. We'll discuss and experience Intercostal Breathing, Posture (sitting, elbows, low back support), Massage (stroking, raking) Body Mechanics (lifts), Aerobics, Stretching/Strengthening (neck, shoulder, spine, hips/legs), Relaxation (knees, hips/buttocks, low back/abdomen)

Lunch: Lunch is served from 12:30 - 1:30 in the Assembly Inn Dining Room. Have some fun with lunch today! Our "taco Tuesday" menu means you can build your own tacos, taco salad, or whatever "Mexican entrée" combination you'd like to make. Chips, melted cheese, salsa (as well as jalapeños if you're so inclined) make it a perfect escape from the ordinary. Leave room for some cobbler and ice cream!

Afternoon: In the afternoon, we're back to exploring Aerobics for the Brain! Neuroplasticity: This will be an opportunity to understand more about how the human brain is able to reorganize and restore itself by forming new neural connections throughout life. We’ll also look at the benefits of movement and exercise and how important it is in keeping our gray matter sharp and focused. After class, there will be an opportunity for those who would like to take a guided hike in the mountains (or Free Time)

Dinner: Dinner will be served from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the Assembly Inn Dining Room. Typically our "holiday dinner," enjoy fresh baked ham and turkey with all the trimmings, (dressing, green beans, bread, sweet potato casserole and scrumptous desserts)... but no relatives to worry about and no dishes to wash.

Evening: 7:00 - 8:00 evening program: Evening programs are typically a fun event -- a dance, a concert, or a storyteller games/cards/tv available in lobby for fellowship and optional movie on big screen.

Lodging: Assembly Inn, Montreat Conference Center

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: 7:30 - 8:30 a.m. breakfast in the Assembly Inn Dining Room. Have you tried the biscuits and gravy yet? Go ahead.... just once! You can go back to your cereal and banana when you get home!

Morning: Our morning starts out as usual with our discussion of the Psalms with Jim Chatham. Psalms 89, 90, & 91 How is the believer to respond to drastic, overwhelming trauma? What shall we make of it when the train really wrecks? The trauma for Israel was the destruction of Jerusalem, the Holy City. There were no easy answers, but these psalms, linked together, form a delicate reply we might never imagine. We'll have a mid morning break and then come back to class for our presentation on Total Conditioning with Maya Andrau. We'll discuss and experience Upper Chest Breathing, Posture (plumb-line guage -- wall side hold), Massage (kneading), Body Mechanics (lift and lower weight), Aerobics (resting pulse), Stretching/Strengthening (neck, shoulder, spine, hips/legs), Relaxation (upper back/chest, fingers, wrists)

Lunch: Lunch is served from 12:30 - 1:30 in the Assembly Inn Dining Room. Well, yes... you've figured it out... we do lots of "comfort food." We're supposed to... right? You're on vacation... you're learning and relaxing? Wednesday's lunch is usually chicken sandwiches and a baked potato bar.... so smother your baked potato with broccoli and be good... or add cheese and bacon and sour cream... it's up to you! Have some fresh fruit instead of a dessert this time.

Afternoon: Free time to explore the area! We'll provide a listing of area attractions and directions for explorations on your own! Here without a car? No worries... if you haven't made a friend to explore with, we'll help you figure out something fun to do.

Dinner: Dinner will be served from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the Assembly Inn Dining Room

Evening: Wednesday evening class is on Effective “Active” Listening: A time to hone our mental skills and fine-tune our senses that help with communication and memory retention.

Lodging: Assembly Inn, Montreat Conference Center

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: 7:30 - 8:30 a.m., we'll have another good, hearty breakfast in the Assembly Inn Dining Room

Morning: Our early morning course will explore Psalm 103 with Jim Chatham. God's forgiveness is one of the greatest blessings in life, cause for exhilaration. But what happens when God forgives people we don't want forgiven? Exodus 34, Psalm 103, Nahum, and Jonah—together—portray a drama that takes place deep within the human soul, very familiar to us. We'll have a mid morning break and then come back to class for our presentation on Total Conditioning with Maya Andrau. We'll discuss and experience Combination Breathing, Posture (contractions, concentric, eccentric, static), Massage (tapotement, hacking, cupping), Body Mechanics (push/pull), Aerobics (target heart rate, heart recovery rate), Stretching/Strengthening (shoulder, spine, hips/legs), Relaxation (elbows, shoulders)

Lunch: Lunch is served from 12:30 - 1:30 in the Assembly Inn Dining Room

Afternoon: This afternoon, we'll cover "Recognizing Faces – Remembering Names" A concern many people have, especially as we age. We’ll talk about short-term and long-term memory issues, and how we can navigate the challenges of remembering more efficiently on a daily basis. "Food for Thought" A lively team-building exercise about the foods we eat and how brain function is affected. We’ll wrap up our time together with a checklist of innovative ways to promote good brain health and function. Other topics we’ll explore during the week (as time allows or as pertains to the topic) "Music and the mind" ... "Health benefits of laughter" ... "The power of play" ... "Non-verbal communication" ... "Attitude is everything" 3:30 - 5:30 free time

Dinner: Dinner will be served from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the Assembly Inn Dining Room

Evening: 7:00 - 8:00 evening program: games/cards/tv in lobby for fellowship (no movie tonight).

Lodging: Assembly Inn, Montreat Conference Center

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: 7:30 - 8:30 a.m. breakfast in the Assembly Inn Dining Room. It's your last chance to try Ronnie's biscuits and gravy! Don't leave Montreat before you do!!!!

Morning: Today, we finish up our discussion on the Psalms with Jim Chatham. Psalms 136, 137, & 138... Psalm 137 is the most horrible psalm in the Bible, speaking words that are bitter and vicious. Some have wanted 137 deleted. But when it is clustered between 136 and 138, the result is electric, showing us ourselves in full view, and issuing a redeeming, much-needed word. We'll listen for the word... We'll have a mid morning break for refreshments and to facilitate checking out of the hotel (checkout required by 11 a.m.) Then, our last opportunity for discussion and experiencing the course on Total Conditioning with Maya Andrau (but we've learned so much, we'll keep doing what we've learned!!!) Explore "Che-Che" Breathing, Spinal Elongation walk, Trigger point compression massage, Body Mechanics (2 person lift, carry & set-down), Aerobics (exercises while sitting), Stretching/Strengthening (shoulder, spine, hips/legs), Relaxation (neck, face) 12:15 - 12:30 closing program and saying good-byes

Lunch: 12:30 - 1:30 lunch in the Assembly Inn Dining Room (those who cannot stay for lunch may request a box lunch to take with them)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch