21/06/2024
Apparently today is 'International Yoga Day'! So I thought I'd do a post about Yoga!
I've started promoting Yoga as well as Pilates, mainly due to my admiration for the marvellous Rie Frilund Skårhøj who is a pioneer with Christian Yoga. When I met Rie, I was so happy to find someone who was not only a great Yoga instructor, but also someone who shares my faith in, and love for God.
I hold Yoga pretty lightly in one sense, I don't have a burning ambition to force it on anyone (whatever 'it' is). Some people are wary of Yoga, having been warned that it may be drawing on Eastern religious or spiritual sources. That was certainly my background.
However, I couldn't deny that there was a sense of real connection and awareness of my faith, and my relationship with God whenever I move in a Yoga type flow. I just sense Him when I move through those graceful flows, and when I gratefully rest in between sequences. Perhaps it's just me, I've always struggled to sit and do what I thought good Christians 'should' pray or meditate like, I honestly just get distracted or bored, so it never really worked.
Sometimes when I'm teaching Pilates, I use lots of 'Yoga' positions (Joseph Pilates drew from Yoga and martial arts in his Pilates methods), but I think they should just be seen as exercise positions, good for stretching or strengthening and increasing awareness of breath and body. The medical evidence holds up what people have always known - that these exercises and the calming, connecting breathing offer a multitude of amazing benefits for mind, body, and in many cases I think also spirit.
I've been to Yoga classes where the teacher has introduced tarot cards, chanting, talking about the chakras, and other things, and I've worked through some of my concerns and questions about these on a case by case basis, learning to ask the teacher curiously what and why they are including that. In some cases I have decided not to continue, as I've felt it didn't sit right. In other cases, I've continued, and asked God to help me sense if I shouldn't. I guess I'm moving away from the idea that we can accidentally end up entangled, and to trust that I can find a safe and enjoyable way to enjoy Yoga.
I was interested in how so many people seemed to tolerate or even enjoy these meditation and relaxation times, chanting ohm or visualising colours etc, and that made me reflect on what I could bring to my mat as I teach. I have first hand experience of the forgiveness, love and freedom of Jesus, and the peace He offers. So I'll be sharing that, in my own way, on my mat. I love the fact that when I ask him what to say, it's almost always an invitation for people to lay down their heavy burdens because he cares for them. To receive peace, as a gift, not earned or worked for, but as a free gift.
If you're someone who is a Christian and wondering about Yoga, it has helped me to apply it to this scripture about eating meat in 1 Corinthians 8, I just love the idea that it is love that wins the day, not our strong opinions on whether we should or should not do something. We should learn to tune into our conscience and honour that, and open to God nudging to say when it's not going to be helpful for us, or someone else.
Hope to see you on the mat, and that this post blesses you wherever you are.
Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
