We are fearfully and wonderfully made. All of creation is so vast and complex to me. From the smallest painted beetle, to the depth of the planets and galaxies, God made it all.
I keep this in mind when I am presented with new information that appears outside of my comfort zone of belief. I have always encouraged Christians who take mainstream yoga classes to be discerning of the philosophy rolled into the exercise routine. But one thing I have learned in my 11 years inside the world of yoga is that there is a lot of science behind what is done.
For instance, I have never been comfortable chanting the OM in yoga classes because it feels like a religious practice rather than a physical exercise. Om is a sacred syllable for the god, Brahman, in Hinduism. It is also explained as the force of the universe.
Yet chanting in itself is practiced in many religions, Christianity included.
Verbalizing has been a part of our history forever.
You see Jesus and his disciples at Passover, singing hymns before they concluded their time at the last supper.
And here’s the science. Verbalizing, whether through chants, breathing exercises, or singing, creates a vibration in our bodies that stimulates our vagus nerve.
Our vagus nerve connects our brain to our gut. Both of which are responsible for the production of serotonin in our bodies. When we create these vibrations, we stimulate this nerve and create a healthier channel in the body for all of the processes to take place.
Try humming one note or syllable repeatedly and see how you feel afterward. The vibrations leave you with a sense of relaxation, clarity, and focus.
So have discernment but also have grace when encountering new traditions and information. A lot of things are uncomfortable because they are countercultural. But there is so much we can learn outside of our culture and traditions.
