This is Day 2 of the Holy Yoga 101 Series. Thanks for joining the fun! Yesterday, I shared a bit of my own Holy Yoga story, but perhaps you still have questions about what makes yoga, Holy. So, let’s get started…
It All Sounds Great, but I Still Don’t Get it.
Maybe you hear the word “yoga” and envision super skinny super model-y types dressed in tight stretchy clothes, twisted in all sorts of strange ways or upside down doing arm balances. You may be thinking, “That can’t possibly be for me. “
You would be wrong.
Of course, there are some people who are super strong, super thin, super beautiful and super Gumby-like. But for every person who is able to bend themselves into a pretzel shape, there are many more “regular” people-like me- who enjoy a very gentle yoga style. There really is a yoga class for every person.
And apparently many, many people agree. A recent statistic reported 20.4 million people are participating in yoga. That is an amazing number!
Now if we could get all of those people in a Holy Yoga class.……. And the chances of that are growing. The Holy Yoga 225 Teacher Training program is the fastest growing teacher training in the United States. There are almost 2000 trained Holy Yoga teachers sharing the gospel all over the world through the modality of yoga.
God is on the move! #yogateachergospelpreacher
Yoga has been around for centuries and there is an entire philosophy built around it. The classical yogi has great respect for the body and mind and takes good care of both, by focusing on the physical postures, breathing and meditation. Muscles are stretched, bones are stacked and space is created between joints.
There is no doubt that some people get carried away with the “woowoo” part of it and make it about much more than the physical postures, even veering toward idolatry of false gods. We recognize that as humans we are prone to idol worship, whether it is a statue, an athletic event, or the dollar bill, or even more frequently, our selfish pride.
I’ve practiced under many yoga teachers and only felt uncomfortable in one class, where the instructor led everyone in some strange chanting in a language I didn’t understand. I was prayerfully silent during that very brief minute and I focused on Jesus.
I won’t go back to that studio even though the “yoga” itself was great. Repeating words I didn’t know to someone I didn’t recognize seemed DARK. So I didn’t do it.
Holy Yoga is anything but “dark.” It is full of the light of Christ.
Perhaps you still have questions about it……
What exactly is Holy Yoga?
Holy Yoga is:
Experiential worship created to deepen one’s connection to Christ.
Mission Statement: Our sole purpose is to facilitate a Christ honoring experience that offers an opportunity to believers and non-believers alike to authentically connect to God through His Word, worship, and wellness. Holy Yoga exists to carry the gospel to the ends of the earth through the modality of yoga.
How is Holy Yoga different from classical yoga?
The major way Holy Yoga is different than “normal” yoga is in the intention. The goal of Holy Yoga is to focus on God and to fill the mind with HIS WORD, not empty the mind, which is encouraged in other forms of meditation. Holy Yoga is “HOLY” because of Jesus Christ and our devotion to Him. We desire to yoke our life with Him.
Many people come to a yoga class seeking some type of healing-either physical or spiritual or emotional. THE BEST thing about Holy Yoga is it connects us with the Creator and the Healer. Through him ALL things are possible.
Holy Yoga is NOT ABOUT THE YOGA! It is about an intimate connection with Christ.
Does this sound enticing or at least spark your curiosity? Do you have other questions? Click in the box below and ask away!
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