A lot of people get cranky about yoga and its Hindu origins. Those same people don't seem as cranky about the Germanic pagan origin of "Easter" and how this celebration of – originally for the goddess Ostara – became cooptated into the Christian observance of Resurrection Sunday. I'm not Hindu, but I do like yoga and the friends who are venturing into this twisty world of quiet stretches. I don't think about Brahman when practicing yoga; I do think about Jesus – crazy that.
It could be the call to quiet and rest or the first salutations – often called "Sun Salutations" – that seem to direct my heart and mind to the author of my soul – EVERY TIME.
This makes me wonder if we can turn anything into an offense or if we can likewise allow the Unseen God to redeem just about anything. I sure hope I'm on the redeeming side because I lived long enough on the judgmental "Church Lady" team and lets just say that "ain't about love," but jockeying for position.
With that said – and if you're still with me – I'd like to offer a few aha's I've had while "practicing yoga" lately:
- Just breathe: sounds good to me. There's a whole lot of life in being still – something I have not mastered. In fact, the first Jesus-verse I ever learned is Isaiah 30:15 – about being still & trusting. Swing by Isaiah 30:18 before you move on – and you'll find where I'm living right now.
- Don't push: for someone who has a history of barreling into things (the good, the bad, and the ugly), the idea of taking the time to "do it right" or "right-ish" is revelation
- Rest where it is quiet: in a world where the biggest, brightest, and fastest are famed, Jesus took time to hang out by himself in quiet places and check in with his dad (Check out Luke 5:16 & Matthew 4:13 for starters)
- Where your eyes go – your body follows: how often do we get ourselves into compromise because we've followed what our eyes saw as desirable (put down that Reeses!)
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Where your mouth goes – your life follows: yoga is quiet so you can focus and allow other folks to focus on their stretching and "poses." Invariably, I giggle or snort during yoga (yep – I'm that one yelling, "timber" when the "crane pose" becomes the "tree in the forest pose" or "I need a crane to get me out of this pose-pose")
. I'm also familiar with my mouth leading me into places where I do not want to go nor would I want to take anyone else there. So glad that even this is redeemable. - I love the child's pose – this pose of submission and honor, this bending-low-and-on-your-face pose stretches me in a good way and ALWAYS reminds me of the ruin of my own ego
- Life, like yoga – is much more fun in good company; if you are fortunate to have friends like mine, you are not the ONLY one facing the wrong way in class and occasionally you get to grin to a friendly face or stretch to touch fingers
- Corpse Pose: this one is all about resting and restoration; at the end of the active practice of balance and stretching and giggling, comes this restful, breathing, quiet, restorative pose…it looks a lot like sleeping. It's not easy for me yet to just be still, but I'm working on it.
- There is beauty in the imperfect practice.
- I was born to be a pretzel. After 8 months of little exercise, I can still pretzel about. And I don't own that skill, I was born with it (and grateful for the innate flexibility)
A friend is on her way to becoming a certified "Holy Yoga" instructor. She seems to see this not primarily as a place where Christians can practice yoga without the Hindu influences, but as a way to connect life and light to people who may not ever walk into a church, but are looking for hope. She has a remarkable hope and a clarity that leaves me grateful to pretzel in her orbit.
I like the idea of Holy Yoga – each time I roll out my blaze orange mat (one day I'll have a pink one), it becomes a practice of quiet worship, remembering a price paid for my freedom, and a time to be quiet-ish.
Got questions or comments about yoga? I'd be interested in hearing from you. Listening.
I'd hope you'd listen, too.
You are right, we can “… turn anything into an offense … we can likewise allow the Unseen God to redeem just about anything.”
I know love (God) is always the answer and will fulfill what is lacking or that part of the truth that is twisted. It is sad that choosing to be offended will keep some from searching out something that will bring more life than ever experienced before. His love and redemption are there EVERY time, if we get out of the way long enough to grab hold of it.
Thanks for walking beside me in this yoga journey, and even more in this God journey – because it’s not about the yoga anyway!
Big Thanks for this.
I keep hearing about the benefits of yoga but have not tried it out due to the common view “Hindu’s invented it so it’s verboten”among believers.
meanwhile I have several area’s of chronic pain.
Just saw a show the other night about how effective yoga is with pain issues and was just sad, but I picked up a Yoga DVD at the library the next day anyway, feeling a bit guilty.
So your timing was so perfect, thanks again. I hope to be improving soon.
God Bless you!
amen! I love yoga SO much. It’s exactly what you make of it. The purpose is to connect, to think of the moment, to create a purpose within the practice. That can be whatever you want it to be and that is why it is so peaceful, so relaxing, so strengthening on all levels. It’s good for body and mind and one of the few times that we actually pay attention to lining up all aspects of our lives- spiritual (whatever spiritual that may be) physical and mental. Thanks for the share. I will admit, I’m in a very rocky place in my walk, and right now it’s hard for me to find the motivation to pull out of it. my yoga practice is about the only place in my life right now that I have made the effort to connect to more than a superficial part of my life, because it allows and encourages me to focus and go deeper.
I know this was posted more than a year ago but I just saw it and you did ask for comments 🙂
I’ve been a “closet” yoga practitioner for a few years and as a Christian, been ashamed to confess it. I only have practiced at home but would like to go to a “real” class. If you get back this way or i get your way, lets go together. I have recently migrated toward Pilates because it sounds better but I really prefer yoga. I find myself consciously focusing on God so not to be drawn down a slippery slope. Thank you for your confession and encouragement!