About

About Yahweh Yoga

Thank you for visiting our “About” page; we’re delighted you stopped by.

Who we are

Yahweh Yoga Co-Founders Courtney and DeAnna

How it all began

I (DeAnna) was trained as a professional dancer and began taking yoga classes decades ago to keep my body stretched and toned after my dancing career was over. I was always a Christian, but didn’t really develop a personal relationship with Christ until I became born again in 1996. From then on, I kept feeling like my yoga practice should give me an opportunity to become closer to the God of my heart.

I began observing that other Christians were skeptical about practicing yoga and believed the practice of yoga was a religion and may be something against our faith and beliefs. God showed me that His people needed to practice yoga for their health and that health was something our churches don’t really focus on and that there is a great need to do so. Few doctors/individuals would argue that the practice of yoga is one of the healthiest things anyone can do for their overall health. I realized from practicing and studying yoga for so many years that the practice itself is a “methodology, not a theology”, and that individuals of any religion or no religion could practice yoga. Then God showed me that His people needed an environment to practice in that was natural to their faith and a class presentation that would draw His children closer to Him while strengthening their minds, bodies and souls.

In 2005, God’s soft voice in my heart kept saying, “Teach Christian yoga.” As God’s voice became clearer and clearer, my daughter, Courtney, and I realized that God was calling us to quit our jobs and start Yahweh Yoga. We know in our hearts that it is His will for us to educate those He has called to teach and minister Christian yoga all over the world.

We first opened Yahweh Yoga in a dance studio. Through the Lord’s guidance, our classes grew in popularity. He then told us to open the first Christian yoga studio and teacher academy in the world!

Through the blessings of our Lord, Yahweh Yoga is now recognized worldwide as a leader in popularizing the fast-growing, Christian yoga movement. We are known for our theologically sound programs, teaching and yoga expertise, credentials, nurturing fellowship and student/teacher support before, during and after training.

We are so very blessed to have students come from all over the world (Italy, Singapore, Canada) to study with us. Our students are teaching in churches, studios and some have even opened their own studios! They love their work and we love them!

We hope to meet you personally some day and invite you to study with us; we promise it will be fun, challenging and transformational.

Courtney’s Personal Faith Journey

It is not the destination, it is the journey right? So far, here is my journey.

I was brought up Catholic and went to mass every Sunday my entire life. Unfortunately, I would not say I knew the Lord. I would not say I even attempted to draw near to HIM. I do however remember verbatim every prayer. I remember one time sitting in church and doubting HIS existence even. These were the days drugs had a bit of a hold on me. I was so lost and so confused and yet so thirsty.

Several years ago I was curious about peace at a core level. I was experimenting with crystals and Chakra’s and woo woo stuff searching and thirsting for A truth. My mom always had such a sense of peace to her. I finally asked “Why are you always so peaceful?” She replied, “I trust in the Lord for all things.” I remember thinking at the time, “That is silly.”

I wandered off to a yoga class. At the class, a song by Seal was playing and the lyric said, “Forgive me for I have been blind.” Suddenly I was on my knees, on my mat, tears of surrendering pouring from my heart. I was letting go. For the first time in my life I truly let go and trusted in HIS plan in HIS Word and in HIS love for me. I decided to trust. A trust of the unknown Heb 11:1.True faith that has intimacy with God.

Several years have past since that yoga class. My faith seems stronger than ever yet I still feel like there is so much more to thirst for in my search for more intimacy with my sweet Savior. Like my yoga practice my faith is a continuing practice. The two in my mind are quit parallel. My faith grows every day and so does my yoga practice.

I realize now my passion is to be more, do more and shine more for the Lord. I want to be the woman He wants me to be. I can say now that I know what peace is; peace IS trusting in the Lord. Not 50% of the time or 80 % but fully 100%. I trust, I have surrendered, I have peace.

DeAnna’s Personal Faith Journey

Knowing Christ and deepening my personal relationship with Him is the foundation for all the joy, peace and love in my life…and I am so very blessed to have an abundance of all of it!

All the way my Savior leads me. Having full confidence and trust in God is the bedrock of my inner-peace. He is my Rock, Refuge, Strength and Counselor.

I first learned of Jesus in Catholic school, our whole family was Catholic and we had a great upbringing with Jesus at the heart of it, however there was not much about the Word in the churches we attended. I was “born again” and “baptized” much later in life at a non-denominational Bible church, Calvary Community Church in Phoenix, Arizona on May 10th, 1996. On my knees in my home, I gave my heart and life to Jesus. Now, my passion in life is to become a Proverbs 31 woman for God. I strive for this everyday and some days fall woefully short, but I will continue in earnest to seek and fulfill God’s purpose for my life and to become His Proverbs 31 woman.

I am humbled at the amazing grace shown to me by God during my many years of rebellion, disobedience, foolishness and subsequent unhappiness. His grace, forgiveness, discipline and love have blessed my life. Why He would choose me to be His, I just don’t know. I am one lucky duck!

Then, as if my personal salvation wasn’t enough, God placed in my heart the desire to teach others to teach Christian yoga. A gift so fulfilling in my life, it is like no other professional experience I have ever had, not even close.

To Him be the glory!