Feeling God’s Presence during Christian Yoga Teacher Training
April 27, 2010 by DeAnna Smothers
Filed under News and Events
DeAnna shares a candid moment.
Hello Friends, I wanted to share a little story from our recent graduation.
On graduation day, we usually have a special graduation ceremony acknowledging everyone for all their hard work and how hard they pushed themselves and what they achieved.
However, several days prior to this last class graduating, my heart was tugged by God to change the focus of our graduation ceremony.
Words from Him strongly came to my heart. None of this is about you or them…it is about feeling My Presence within them at all times and sharing this peace as they teach so others can feel the same way.
I prayed “What do you want us to do Lord?”
Christian Yoga teacher Lisa O'Quinn
He said, Just wait…I’ll show you. So with full confidence I waited.
Shortly after this awareness, one of our graduates Lisa O’Quinn came up to me while I was on break at my desk and said “Listen to this song, it will move your soul.”
Lisa brings me her IPod and I heard “Your Presence,” by Bethel Live. This song moved my heart and I knew instantly: this is the song to remind our graduates why we choose to teach Christian Yoga.
So, here’s the kicker.
Christian Yoga teacher Tathiana Wan
Now we all know how the Lord works, He never leaves us or forsakes us and always seems to bring home a point to let us know we’re on track and that we’ve heard Him correctly, right?
Our very last teach scheduled was Tathiana Wan, a young snowboarder athlete. As Taty lead the class in her beautiful final teach (which is always kept secret from others until it is actually presented) we learned that her chosen Scripture was revolved around remaining in God’s presence.
Of course, Taty’s final song was the beautiful “Your Presence” by Bethel Live! It seamlessly segued into what was the most moving graduation ceremony that we have ever had. As any of the graduates present can tell you, emotions flowed and boxes of tissue were used!
The moral of this story is that we are always in His presence.
God always with us through character-building times that range from good, bad and just plain painful and gives us fellowship with others to encourage us and uplift our spirits.
Christian yoga allows us the precious time to be quiet on our mats for a few minutes each day with others who love Him. (Remember, Christ went to a quiet place to rest and pray every day.) He speaks in our hearts, and blesses us to move our bodies in health for HIM and to inspire others to do the same.
What an awesome God we serve! How blessed are we to have been chosen to do this for the Kingdom!
Love and Peace,
DeAnna
It was a very moving time, I sobbed as God moved in my spirit. I didn’t know the story to how that all went, that is cool! I love how God weaves people, things, events, musics etc together to create whatever it is He wants created. Thank you for sharing this and thank you for listening to God when He told you to do something a little different then normal! I figured it was always a tear fest!!!
DeAnna, Thank you for sharing this moving story! He is an awesome God we serve!
We felt God’s presence so strongly at graduation! He loves us so much and it was so evident during the ceremony. How precious are the relationships He guides us into and how uniquely He confirms them. Thank you DeAnna for making us all aware of this miraculous connection.
This song will forever take me right back to our Yahweh Yoga graduation and all that it represents! Thanks for a very memorable experience and for listening to God’s voice and responding in faith.
Deanna, thank you for sharing that wonderful story and taking me back to Yahweh and the love I felt during that time with others and in ‘His Presence.’
And reminding us all that He is always with us.