What the Yoga Community can Teach the Church

February 16, 2012

From my first thirty minutes as a yogi in training, my social paradigm shattered. Sitting on the hard floor of the studio, around a circle of thirteen strangers, I witnessed something beautiful. Testimony after testimony was shared with the group. Everyone had a passion for yoga that threw all social norms or practical trust to the wind.

We had tears and laughter within thirty minutes.

Complete strangers. And in thirty minutes we shared a bond of community. My husband and I both have been leading community groups in the Christian church for years and never before have I seen something like this happen. So, naturally, I began to analyze every aspect of that night in my mind. Why did we feel so comfortable to share so intimately? I myself used the term “holistic” when sharing my own yoga testimony. It must come down to the fact that we all shared a passion for yoga.

We all had a story to answer the much-repeated question: “How did yoga find you?”

At some point in all of our lives it had changed us. And we were where we were because we wanted to share that with the world. Sound familiar? Why can’t we translate that passion into the passion that causes Christians to share intimately with each other, realizing we were all out of shape, broken, emotionally unbalanced, and the discipline of Christ brought our life into focus?

What in your life evokes that kind of passion? When have you witnessed this kind of transparency?

2 responses to What the Yoga Community can Teach the Church

  1. What an Awesome site!! The answer your question of Why Yoga is such a Passion and it transforms us, is “because thru the Practice of Yoga, God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit come to LIFE for us Christians. It gives us a whole new Language of how to express of how Faith. It frees us from “good” & “bad” and allows us to really See all our brothers and sisters as Spirit. In other words, it takes God “out of a Box”. He created us all in his Image. Thru Yoga our eyes and hearts are Opened to this realization and we View all life as precious and equal. Last April 2011, I was Certified as a Christian Yoga Teacher thru Yahweh Yoga Academy in Chandler Arizona. This training, combining Yoga and Christian principles and values has made an Amazing Transformation in my life as a person and as a Christian. Peace, Love & Grace!!

    • Thanks, gleda! I have heard a little bit about Yahweh Yoga. Are they an independent organization? I wasn’t sure where they originated. I have a friend here in Virginia who is familiar with them.