Nov
15
2009
15
2009
Cultivating Quiet: My Love for Yoga
Filed under: yoga
I first discovered yoga when I was pregnant with Bella 5 years ago. I did a few yoga DVD’s and really enjoyed it. And then, I promptly forgot about it. Fast forward to our tour. I became very interested in it again…mostly because it was something that I could do in a small space and with very little equipment. I sought out a few yoga studios along the way and attended my FIRST “real” yoga class while we were in Georgia. I also took a class with Dayna Gelinas, who has a the only Christian yoga instructor course in the country. When I was pregnant with Lucy, I did yoga DVD’s and attended prenatal yoga classes as often as I could and even attended a prenatal yoga instructor training when we were in Denver. I felt SO good during my pregnancy when I was keeping up with my yoga practice…especially in the 3rd trimester.
Yoga is more than just a class you take at the gym or studio. Yoga, for me, is a way to bring more QUIET into my life. Quiet in my mind. Quiet in my body. It helps me to focus my attention on things that really matter to me…namely, God and family. Doing yoga can be very worshipful…I try to focus my thoughts toward God as I stretch and breathe. I might repeat scripture out loud or simply find a word that becomes a mantra (i.e. “Holy” or “Provider”) and saying it with each breathe. I enjoy playing some music quietly and/or burning some incense as well. I love the way the mat feels under my feet and how the world seems to melt away (assuming that I am practicing early in the morning or late at night…without Bella climbing on me during it!). Speaking of kids, yoga is a great way for them to connect with their body and calm down. Bella will often lay down in child’s pose when she needs some quiet time and it helps her to re-focus.
Although I started out with DVD’s, I’ve recently started doing my own yoga instead of following along on a DVD or even going to a studio. I found that I really enjoyed being able to hold the postures longer and doing the postures that I enjoyed, instead of what someone else thought would be beneficial. I also really like Yoga Today, and did their sessions regularly at home before we went on the road. If you’ve never been to a studio, you might like trying their free class online. There are certain instructors I like better than others on there, so don’t give up if you don’t like your first class 
I paid for the subscription service and really enjoyed being able to choose what style of class I was in the mood for that day.
If you’ve wanted to try yoga, but haven’t known where to start…I would recommend learning the Sun Salutation series and get really good at that before moving on. You can watch a quick instructional video on YouTube here and a more in depth video here. The sun salutation is a great way to jump start your day…repeat it 5-6 times and you’ll be feelin’ happy! There are several different types of yoga…each with their own twist. Each type tends to overlap into the others…here is a good explanation of them all. I think everyone who is interested in yoga should try at least one studio class…it’s SO HELPFUL to have someone who can help you with postures in a hands-on way and offer advice on pushing yourself a little farther. I also love the sense of community in a class as well…especially in the prenatal classes.
Over the years I’ve gotten many questions about how yoga jives with following Jesus. I’m not into debating about it, because everyone has their own opinion about it and most of the time they’ve already made up their mind I can only base my opinion on my own experiences and I’ve found that yoga hasn’t hindered my faith at all…but has instead, strengthened it.
However, I am aware that the “yoga culture” is steeped in New Age philosophy and many people practicing yoga are followers of Eastern religions. This can scare some Christians away from yoga. Everyone has to decide for themselves after doing their OWN research, not just going on what they’ve heard from friends, etc. I keep a watchful eye on anything in a class that isn’t Biblical…you won’t find me chanting the names of Hindu gods and I tend to stay away from teachers who “lead” a little too much in classes. Yoga has become so mainstream now, that it’s not difficult to find a teacher that focuses more on the postures than the spiritual side of things.
All in all, I am SO thankful to have found yoga. It’s been such a blessing for me and I love it! I am so much more aware of my body and my breath when I am actively practicing and I miss it when I go too long without it.
Here are some of my yoga faves:
Websites:
Yoga Today
Yoga is Yummy
I have recently discovered Polly over at Yoga is Yummy. She has tons great videos on her site…here is one for beginners.
YouTube: There are SO many yoga videos on YouTube. Happy searching!
An article about “Getting Back on the Mat” after having a child
DVD’s:
I don’t own any non-pregnancy yoga DVD’s, but I really like Sean Corne and Shiva Rea.
My favorite prenatal DVD was Jennifer Wolfe’s Prenatal Yoga and Shiva Rea’s Prenatal Yoga.
Books:
Hatha Yoga Illustrated
My Daddy is a Pretzel
Yoga for Dummies
Gear:
My Manduka Mat (in moss)
Mat Bag (moss green/duffle style)
Bolster (so awesome for tight backs)
Eye Pillow (I love this thing!)
Blocks/Straps from Gaiam
Posted by Sara @ 2:23 am | Leave a Comment
15
2009
There is a very cute album for kids too called Dance for the Sun: Yoga songs for kids — You can see a video here of one of the songs: http://iyogalife.com/yogaforkids/Sun_Salutation_Video.php
It is a great way for me and my daughter (who is 4.5 to do yoga together). We are Christian, so we dance for the “son” rather than the “sun” lol
15
2009
Ooohhh – I’m going to look up a couple of those videos. The one for dummies sounds about my speed.
LOVE the eye pillow link….hmmmm…
Nice to see you blogging again, but 2:23AM??!?!?!?!?! Poor girl. Is that rain keeping you up at night??
Abrazos…
15
2009
I have gone to a class that does a mixture of Pilates and Yoga…and I would have to say that is was very uplifting in my walk with God, not the contrary. I think the stillness and relaxation made me more receptive to hearing His voice and that time became so precious. It might sound hokey to some, but God has given me several healing pictures in my mind as I’ve “centered down” in the class. It has been one the most worshipful environments!
15
2009
I too, like Tammy, have found some yoga classes to be very worshipful – and they weren’t even “Christian” ones. I think it honors God to take care of our bodies, and to calm them down so that we can focus on His truth. That being said, I’ve recently started to go to PraiseMoves and it’s been really good for me. They say a verse for each posture and we put on the armor of God with motions each class. It’s been really good!
15
2009
Thanks so much! I have been thinking of doing Yoga for a long time now. I felt so great when I did do it! I just can’t ever find the time with homeschooling 5 children. Maybe I will make it a part of all of our lives. Thanks for inspiring me to give it another try!
15
2009
Thanks for sharing all of the links! I love Polly
15
2009
Faith…my time zone is off. It was only 11! Late at night is the only time I can get any blogging done!
15
2009
So, as a complete newbie to yoga who hasn’t done anything except for buy a couple of videos so far…. do you need all that equipment? Is it necessary or just extras? I really want to learn yoga. I think it will really help me with a lot of different aspects of my life…
15
2009
Thank you, thank you, for the prenatal DVD recommendations. I honestly haven’t done any yoga since I started with these morning sickness. But I know (5th child, go figure!) that in no time, I’ll be back with my old self again, and getting on with more yoga.
I sure could use all the inspiration. This is so timely. Thanks:)
Oh, and also, I ignored yoga for many years coz of the spiritual aspect, and I’m glad I got over that. Everyone can benefit with yoga, sans the new age-y stuff!
15
2009
Strong Sitting is something we utilized for almost a year (and still on occasion, now), to help our unattached children with focus and relaxation. It’s a combo between yoga and Brain Gym concepts.
And they all do yoga on the Wii (ha!), which amazingly REALLY forces you to find your center. It kicks me BUTT!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X37QAEz0PHY
15
2009
what a great article – i’ve sort of “Played” at yoga for a bit, using a dvd and the odd youtube instructor video – i went every morning when i was at a festival (christian/liberal/arts/music) this summer and it’s really inspired me to get back into it. like you, though, i’ve had some christian friends be really resistent/hesitant about it, though i tend to focus on the excercise/quiet side of it and not too much on the new-age, and found that enough…
i am going to send a couple of friends a link to this article though, very encouraging and helpful stuff, thankyou so much!
and tomorrow i am totally starting yoga-ing again, enough thinking about it, time to just get on and do it!
15
2009
so many great links here! can’t wait to check them out. i’ve been enjoying yoga for years, and like you, sort of use it as a time to check in with me and with God. i have a family member who is very uncomfortable with it which has made me worry that i am missing something. so it’s good to hear i’m not alone in making my yoga a practice that can strengthen my relationship with God.
15
2009
I recently discovered yoga as part of a work out program I’m doing. One of the workouts is an hour and a half of yoga. Love it! I find it very difficult…some of the balance postures are incredible! For years I associated yoga with eastern religions and I had no idea it doesn’t have to include philosophies I don’t agree with! Too bad I missed out for so many years!
15
2009
Thanks for your thoughts on yoga and the links. Since I became a yoga teacher before I became a Christian, I have been exploring ways to bring Christ into my yoga classes. I am interested in one day doing a Chrisitan Yoga Teacher Training for more ideas and inspiration. I actually have found a couple more options than you mentioned here in case you are interested.
http://holyyoga.net/aboutholyyoga
http://yahwehyoga.com/
I also find my yoga time as a place to cultivate quiet. I am amazed at how much better my body can feel through the practice which enables me to serve my family (and others) in a much better way.
16
2009
Tracy,
You could just do it barefoot on the grass or beach. HOWEVER, your practice will be much easier if you use a sticky mat. The blocks, straps, etc. are just props that make certain poses easier. They are not a necessity. You can also use rolled up towels, blankets, belts, etc. as props as well. You can find sticky mats at Target or many online stores as well. I really like my mat because it’s pretty thick. When I’m using thinner mats, I like to use 2 of them for comfort. Have fun!
Technically…you don’t need anything to do yoga
Sara
16
2009
Sara, thank you so much for posting this. Ever since I read your blog (yrs now), I’ve been dying to ask you this question as I had a really bad experience when I enrolled in yoga at Bikram in my hometown. I just couldn’t separate the religion from the exercise! I do Pilates now and I think it’s great, but I sure needed to hear this perspective from a Christian I feel does things “the right way”. So, thank you again for sharing bits and pieces (huge chunks) of your life!
All the way from the desert in Chile,
Suyai
17
2009
Oh Sara, I love the point you bring up about Christians practicing yoga. I too have felt uncomfortable during the “chanting” in yoga, but I’ve found it to be a quiet, meditative time to reflect, worship and pray as well. Everyone brings their own “selves” to yoga, and you make it what you need it to be. I love how I can connect to God in yoga.
17
2009
A friend in my yoga class found a quote somewhere online that I always thought was kind of perfect:
“Inhale, & God approaches you. Hold the inhalation, & God remains with you. Exhale, & you approach God. Hold the exhalation, & surrender to God.” ~Krishnamacharya
Thanks for the great post Sara! Can’t wait for the travel blog.
17
2009
Oh! I always wanted to add for everyone that I learned yoga in a class @ my local community college. All of the Eastern religion was stripped away because we were efferently learning poses and breathing. Our instructor told us to meditate on whatever we wished, on God and prayer, and during to cool down time at the end of class where we laid in corpse for twenty minutes in the dark she would suggest that everyone think about things that they were thankful for. It was really great, and helped me to cultivate the yoga around God rather than other sketchy practices.
17
2009
speaking of kids and yoga, Will did the same thing the other day with Child’s Pose. I don’t do yoga with him around, but there was a kids yoga thing on TV and he had fun trying to do what they said on the program. (Child’s pose was the only thing he “really” did ) hehe.
…but yes I started yoga in college and was amazed with how simple breathing each morning helped me relax and be less stressed. It also helped my joint pain tremendously. (along with Chiropractic of course). I enjoyed looking at Yoga is Yummy. I never thought about finding classes online…and as far as the spiritual side of yoga, I always forget about the religious stuff, and just use it as a peaceful time of refelection and prayer. (especually in the morning). Christianity isn’t about works and practices anyway, but rather about truth. And I know you would agree with me, that all that other stuff doesn’t matter if it’s not really in your heart anyway. We just have to change or focus. nice post! thanks for the great resources!
17
2009
Like many spiritual traditions in America, yoga has been mostly transformed into a secularized fitness regime. Whether that’s good or bad doesn’t need to be debated here. I do think it should be acknowledged that yoga’s hindu scriptures are 4000-5000 years old, and predate Christianity. It’s not “new age” or from a “sketchy religion” and it pains me to see it characterized as such, (and I’m not Hindu). I just wanted to inject that information. Carry on!
p.s. I love your blog.
19
2009
Well done for giving such a balanced view and lucky you for having access to a Christian Instructors Course. Here in the UK yoga is big but more on an eastern basis and as a result have had great difficulty finding an appropriate teacher!
God Bless
San
21
2009
You are speakin’ my language today, girl! I also LOVE APY’s Strength vid, a little Karen Voight yoga, and Iron Yoga. OH~and Inhale that used to come on Oxygen!!!! (((((HUGS))))) sandi~can ya tell I can’t get out for many classes? LOL!
21
2009
I would love to do yoga but not completely comfortable because of its roots, but can you recommend any good pilates sites or DVD or anything?
25
2009
Hello,
and thank you for sharing your thoughts and personal experience about yoga and christianity. i am a yoga teacher and i agree with you that yoga does not “compromise” ones religion. Its a wonderful practice that can be used by everybody, from children to elderly people in having a balanced body, mind and spirit, whichever religion, ideology, philosophy… one believes in!
All the best for you and all the family!
26
2009
Hi Sara,
I’m a 27 year old, third grade teacher at a Christian school and absolutely LOVE yoga! Great post!!! One of my school parents taught a yoga class and I was hooked after one time.
Keep up the awesome witness and testimony!
God Bless!!!
11
2009
Found you via the comments on bohophotography. Anyhoo this post has inspired me. Btw have you checked out holy yoga by Brooke Boon?
20
2010
How cool is this?!?! I stumbled across your blog, while surfing the internet and nursing the newborn. I was probably looking for eco-organic stuff…anyways…I find this post of yours and had to comment.
I got my certification to teach yoga through Dayna Gelinas. I finished in November 2008 and have mostly taught kids yoga. Just thought I’d say hello from a fellow christian yogi