Spirituality with Jenni
June 11, 2009 by Jenni Zach
Filed under Conversations on Spirituality
By Jenni Zach, Yahweh Yoga Spiritual Director
A conversation on Yoga and Christian Spirituality
The regular practice of Christian yoga has extraordinary potential to improve the health of your whole person. Many Christians wonder, however, if yoga is an appropriate practice for them. In this blog we will explore some of the questions surrounding yoga and Christian spirituality together.
At the heart of our exploration is a commitment to truth and the exercise of biblical discernment. As we seek answers to our questions we want to think rightly in light of God’s Word and then go on to live freely, confident that God will lead us as we follow Him.
We invite you to join this conversation. We look forward to our journey together.
***
Do you have a suggestion for a topic about Christianity and yoga? Please share your question with Jenni and watch this blog space for answers to select questions.
Please note: While we endeavor to answer as many questions as we can, we cannot promise a response to every question. If you thirst for additional learning, please refer to our book Christian Yoga: Restoration for Body and Soul, or our Christian Yoga Philosophy online course.
Yoga has not only NOT conflicted with my Christianity. It has enhanced it, by giving me greater personal peace and allowing me to appreciate my own completeness and God-given joy and therefore that of others. When I breathe and stretch (asanas)and clear away all extraneous thoughts (meditate), what remains is my Smiling Lord, Jesus Christ. I feel His presence near and in me. I feel safe and loved. The peace and joy of this knowledge allows me to bring God’s love more easily into the world, manifesting itlself in forgiveness, charity and service to those in need. I often tell people that practicing yoga has made me a better Christian, since they are sometimes confused about the difference between a spiritual practice (like yoga) and a religion or set of beliefs. Personally, I think yoga is the perfect technique for following our Lord’s command to love each other, since without truly loving oursleves, how can we love others?
Namaste!
Thomas