Phillipians 4:13

I can do all things through Christ which strengthen me.

Phillipians 4:13

Bridge Pose

Bridge

Step By Step

• Lie flat on back; bend knees and set feet parallel on mat as close to sitting bones as possible, hips width apart.

• Arms placed by the side palms facing down.

• Inhale and, pressing your inner feet and arms actively into the floor and lift hips.

• Lift buttocks until the thighs are about parallel to the floor. Knees should be directly over the heels.

• Lift chin slightly away from sternum and shoulders wrap around the spine as they press into the mat as the sides go long.

Benefits

• Stretches the chest, neck and spine.

• Calms the brain and helps alleviate stress and mild depression.

• Stimulates abdominal organs, lungs and thyroid.

• Rejuvenates tired legs.

• Improves digestion.

• Helps relieve the symptoms of menopause.

• Relieves menstrual discomfort when done supported.

• Reduces anxiety, fatigue, backache, headache and insomnia.

• Therapeutic for asthma, high blood pressure, osteoporosis and sinusitis.

This is an excerpt from our guide to self-care, Christian Yoga: Restoration for Body and Soul.

Matthew 10:39

“If you don’t go all the way with me, through thick and thin, you don’t deserve me. If your first concern is to look after yourself, you’ll never find yourself. But if you forget about yourself and look to me, you’ll find both yourself and me.” Matthew 10:38-39 (The Message)

The more I think about surrendering, the calmer I am as a woman. I find that surrendering does NOT mean to give up because there is effort involved in surrendering, much like there is in an exhale.

We have to be reminded sometimes that it is not always about “me” that HIS plan is perfect and we need to trust in HIM for all things.

Surrender with effort,  my friends. Please comment below to share your thoughts, stories, or issues with surrender.

God is love.

By Courtney Chalfant, Yahweh Yoga Co-Founder

“Christian Yoga taught me peace and to listen for Him.”

Teaching Christian Yoga helps Elissa reach others, too

There are as many reasons to take Yahweh Yoga teacher training classes as there are people! For graduate Elissa G., becoming a yoga teacher helps her guide others to spiritual and physical health while also strengthening herself:

What benefits do you receive by practicing Christian Yoga?

“I get to spend time with God and within that time I gain not only physical strength but mental strength as well. It has taught me to breathe both on and off the mat when times are stressful or when times seem unbearable. ”

What has practicing Christian Yoga meant to your relationship with God?

“Christian yoga has helped me understand that I can never stop growing in God’s word…. once I think I know it… God is able to show me something new every time I read Scripture,  whether it’s a new meaning or a deeper understanding.  In yoga when you think you have got a pose down you can always take it further, deeper, longer… the pose has a new meaning, too. ”

How has Christian Yoga helped your health?

“Weight loss, stress reduction by learning different breathing techniques, flexibility, strength.”
How has Christian Yoga helped your personality “off the mat?”
“It’s given me confidence and has helped me to reach out.”

How has Christian Yoga helped you help others?

“To reach people in a new way: physically stretch them to new levels and to give them time on their mats to breathe, stop and listen to God and what He’s telling them at that moment.”

“Christian Yoga has taught me to walk in peace and to not rely on my own strength but to ask for a little help from the smallest of discomfort to the greatest of challenges. It’s also taught me the importance of a quiet time, to go off by myself, sit and listen for Him and wait for hope to appear when it seems gone.”
~Elissa G., Yahweh Yoga program graduate and Yahweh Yoga studio teacher

To read more about our 250-hour RYT program, please see our RYT Program Details page.

“God has used my experience to help others.”

Tamara is a Yahweh Yoga graduate.

Surviving Guillain-Barré syndrome taught Tamara the importance of trusting in God and strengthening her body. She chose the Yahweh Yoga program to deepen her understanding of yoga and God. Tamara shares her Christian Yoga experience:

What benefits do you receive by practicing Christian Yoga?

“I am more balanced not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually.”
What has practicing Christian Yoga meant to your relationship with God?
“God has taught me so much. I have a new way to praise him by being able to use my body. I am so appreciative each day that I am able to move my body.”

How has Christian Yoga helped your health?

“I love everyday that I am able to wake up and get out of bed. In 2007, I was diagnosed with a neurological disorder called Guillain-Barré syndrome. This syndrome is an inflammatory disorder that attacks the myelin, the protective covering around the nerves, which leads to progressive weakness and in some cases paralysis. The recovery process has included physical therapy, infusion treatments, and lots of patience. I am doing better each day and God has blessed me more than I could have ever imagined by this experience. Yoga is continuing to help me regain my balance, coordination, and strength.”

How has Christian Yoga helped your personality “off the mat?”

“Before I became sick I had been practicing yoga for four years.  I walked into my first Christian yoga class having been off my mat for two years due to my health. Since that time my energy has increased along with my strength.”

How has Christian Yoga helped you help others?

“It is exciting being able to see how God has used my experience to help others. I have such a deeper appreciation of the body and knowledge that whatever struggles or health issues people have, going through movement can help.

I have learned that trying to push yourself will only lead to more discouragement, take it slow and be patient with yourself. Listen to your body and most importantly listen to God. Trust in God because nothing is impossible with Him.”

“Our body is such a gift from God and everyday I am intentional in the ways I take care of this gift..”
~Tamara, online program student and Yahweh Yoga event coordinator

Many of our students take teacher training simply to gain in-depth knowledge to enhance their own practice. Please see our RYT Program Details page for more information.

“I graduated in March and began teaching in May.”

Yoga reminds you to lay your burdens at God’s feet and relax.

After retiring from a 30-year career on Wall Street, Sandi wanted to serve God and help others. She is using her Yahweh Yoga teacher training to reach others and continue her own growth as a Christian:

What benefits do you receive by practicing Christian Yoga?

“Christian Yoga is so calming and relaxing.

I took my first yoga class in New York several years ago, but I never felt comfortable with all the chanting and concept of “emptying one’s mind.” When I learned about the Christian Yoga idea that we fill up on God’s presence, I was finally able to receive spiritual gains in addition to the physical ones.”

What has practicing Christian Yoga meant to your relationship with God?

“Every day I practice yoga and spend that time deepening my relationship with God. It is so much more than just a daily prayer. Instead, I have an opportunity to spend a full hour focusing on God.”

How has Christian Yoga helped your health?

“When I started yoga, I had four herniated discs in my neck. During my teacher training, when we took two yoga classes a day—every day—I felt better than I ever had before. My students say the same thing. When they miss a class, they can feel it!”

How has Christian Yoga helped your personality “off the mat?”

“I try to be more calm! Before I started Christian Yoga, I was pretty controlling, but now I am learning to step back and let God be in charge. I’m still not the most laid-back yogini, but I am trying to learn! Also, since my students ask me for guidance, it reminds me to stay in the Word.”

How has Christian Yoga helped you help others?

Sometimes, I am so in awe of what God is doing through me, I feel like I am watching a movie. When I was taking my teacher training, DeAnna said to me: ‘You will be lead to the Scripture for your classes,’ and it is absolutely true! I have had classes were people come up to me and tell me that the scripture from the class addressed something directly that they were going through. I know I’m not thinking of these on my own; God is with me.

There is nothing that compares to bringing The Word to others to glorify His name.”

“I believe that God gave Christian Yoga to me as a ministry to serve Him and share The Word.”
~Sandi Yahweh Yoga graduate

Would you like to read more about Sandra? Please click Sandi’s Journey to read more.

“I can help others because I take time to help myself.”

Khamry teaches Christian Yoga and goes to college

Teaching Christian Yoga is a wonderful part-time job. You can strengthen your body, focus on your faith, and make extra money. Our twenty-something teacher Khamry sees the benefits of teaching while she works on attaining her nursing degree:

What benefits do you receive by practicing Christian Yoga?

“Through practicing Christian Yoga, I receive a variety of benefits from physical to spiritual. Not only am I renewing my body and strengthening the physical but my mind is constantly being renewed and encouraged to be positive and focus on Christ. When I practice, I become relaxed and free to be who am I, who God created in me and that brings me the most joy.”

What has practicing Christian Yoga meant to your relationship with God?

“Everything. Every day I tell myself, “Be your yoga practice.” That means to me, be soft, calm, yet strong and ready for a challenge. My relationship with God has grown throughout the years and one of the most important factors to that growth is because of practicing Christian Yoga.”

How has Christian Yoga helped your health?

Practicing yoga has placed a conscious reminder to eat healthier and pairing both yoga and nutrition has blessed me with more energy and focus, especially when it comes to school studies.

How has Christian Yoga helped your personality “off the mat?”

“It has helped shape who I am and is shaping the woman I am to become. It has taught me to be soft, less reactive and more gentle. No longer am I the anxious, jump to a reaction without thinking kind of person, but now, I have learned to step back, breathe and pray about it first. It’s helped my sanity and definitely the sanity of my loved ones around me :).”

How has Christian Yoga helped you help others?

“Christian Yoga is not about me when it comes down to it. It’s my spiritual act of worship to God. Of course, he blessed us with results such as a changed and renewed spirit and physical workout, but after a class I feel more prepared to help others because I have taken the time to help myself.

DeAnna and Courtney always say you cannot take care of others to the best of your ability if you do not take care of yourself first. I believe it to be very true and the burden of my weight is lifted so I can be of greater help to those around me.”

“I love to practice yoga because my body is healthier and more flexible. I believe that if I continue to practice as I get older, my health will continue to benefit.”

~Khamry, Yahweh Yoga program graduate and Yahweh Yoga studio teacher

If you would like more information on Yahweh Yoga teacher training, please see our RYT Program Details page.

Welcome to the Yahweh Yoga Online Community!

We are so pleased to welcome you to the Yahweh Yoga web community. Our goal is to make this site the place for Christian Yoga enthusiasts to enjoy fellowship and learn more about yoga.

Here, you will find:

• The most up-to-date information on our current Christian Yoga teacher training programs
• Inspirations and devotionals
• Answers and conversations about Christian spirituality and yoga practice
• Your stories of faith and personal growth
• Information on studio classes
• Yoga products for sale

Over the next few months, we will be unveiling even more new features and services to enhance your Christian yoga journey. In the meantime, we would love to hear any comments, feedback, or suggestions you have on how we can further improve the site. After all, this website is for you!

In Joy!

DeAnna and Courtney