Developing Balance

Jesus grew relationally, physically, and spiritually while here on earth. He also developed prudence in handling life’s varied circumstances. (Luke 2:52: And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.) By His Son’s example, God affirms that He is interested and concerned with your total person. He wants you–and all His children–to be balanced individuals, continually maturing in each life area including your “Child of God” and “Self-Care Manager” roles. God cares about all areas of your life. He wants to help you balance your roles and goals. Yet balance itself has no specific objective. It is a constant state of motion and flex. To help you understand this, imagine the following:

• You stood up and twirled around several times.

• You ran in place for several minutes and skipped to the corner of the room and back.

• You twirled around twice more.

• Then you immediately tried to balance on one foot.

Now imagine the subtle adjustments you had to make in your foot and body to maintain equilibrium. This imaginary activity is designed to give you a picture of what you’re attempting to do in balancing the different aspects and roles of your life during any given day. Developing balance is a skill—with the constant give and take. Today consider asking God to help you cultivate this skill. You can do it. It’s a doable and reasonable process! Joan C. Webb Author, Speaker/Teacher, Life Coach, IW LifePlan Facilitator www.joancwebb.com

Recent Yahweh Yoga Graduates Speak Out!

Our first teacher training graduates of 2010 share their experiences.

People interested in enrolling in the Yahweh Yoga RYT teacher training program always want to know what to expect when they enroll in teacher training. Here what our graduates have to say in their own words:

My experience going through the Yahweh Yoga training was like no other experience I have ever had. Nothing even closely compares. Learning the beautiful art of yoga in a Christian setting with two outrageously amazing godly women is not something easily described. There were so many added benefits: learning about nutrition and about starting your own yoga business…the list goes on. I am so grateful that God brought me to Yahweh Yoga.
~Mary Beth Senechal
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The teacher training exceeded my expectations. Not only did I get the proper education on becoming a yoga teacher: learning postures, proper alignment, anatomy, marketing of my business, etc, but you gave us a holistic approach to embracing our yoga lifestyle. I was thrilled to learn so much about living/raw foods, and making healthy choices to take care of and nurture my mind, body and spirit.
~Marta Bailey
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I would describe my Yahweh Yoga teacher training as very intense, in body, mind and spirit; nurturing, supportive, loving and knowledge filled.
~Angela Ross
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I would describe my teacher training experience at Yahweh Yoga as a necessary preparation. The curriculum was exceptional and the hands on instruction gave me the confidence to take the seat of a teacher. In my opinion it is the best training in the world. I am forever grateful for the opportunity.
~Dawn Jones, Truth Yoga
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The Yahweh Yoga experience has been A M A Z I N G. Deanna and Courtney are such an inspiration—their love toward others and passion for spreading Yoga in using a Christ-centered approach is such an inspiration. They are really good people pursuing their passion for Yoga for HIS glory. They are a blessing in the Yoga community.
~Susan Spangler, ProSkills Plus and Pilates Wellness Center
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The most important thing I learned about the teacher training experience is that it is not about me, but to give my students a gift, an experience that is energizing, relaxing, and worshipful.
~Darbra Adair
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Every single one of the students as well as both instructors were so encouraging and supportive. There was NEVER a feeling of competition. The feedback we were given was consructive rather than critical. There was alot of emphasis on creating an environment in which to give our students an EXPERIENCE rather than just a yoga class. I don’t think I would have learned this in other teacher training programs.
~Kim Dumas
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To be a great Christian yoga teacher means that everything you do is to serve your students. DeAnna and Courtney have given us all we need to know about postures, alignment, marketing, anatomy, teaching methodologies, adjusting and so much more. All of these tools are just to do one job, to serve our students. Teaching a Christian yoga class is about giving a gift to our students. One class it may be the gift of stress relief, or freedom in a joint in another the gift of grace or peace. We will be most successful when we allow God to be Himself through us, and He is always others focused, serving and loving. This is the most important lesson Yahweh Yoga teacher training has imparted to me.
~Hope Crane, Breath of Life Christian Yoga
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God doesn’t waste even one opportunity to draw all of us closer to HIM all the while providing and preparing each of us to recall and regain inner strength and peace to give back. The true meaning of life cycle I learned at Yahweh Yoga.
~Christie Banyas
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We treasure every one of our graduates and feel blessed to have a role in their ongoing education about Christian yoga, health, nutrition, and spirituality. Thank you, graduates for allowing us this role in your personal growth and transformation.

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Do you love Jesus? Do you love yoga? You may learn more about the Yahweh Yoga Christian Yoga RYT program by reading our FAQ.We are now accepting applications for our April course. Enroll now to secure your space - our last class sold out quickly.

Christian Yoga Teacher Training: Food, Glorious Food!

Proper nutrition is key for our trainees’ energy levels

Since we have gotten such a positive response from you on our peek into the world of our teacher trainees, we thought you might like to see what our students eat while they are here for the 15-day intensive Christian yoga retreat.

Light and Nutritious Food for a Health Transformation

Let’s face it, how many of us think about the fuel we put into the bodies God gave us? Most Americans grab processed, unhealthy “food” and wonder why they feel tired, sick, and unhappy.

Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.
–3 John 1:2, New International Version

One of the things we believe at Yahweh Yoga is that eating a whole-food, unprocessed plant-based diet is important to good health. And since most of trainees enroll in our program to jump-start a personal change (as well as a professional one) we wanted our students to experience the best food possible so they could experience for themselves how good a clean diet can feel.

Chef-prepared Vegan and Raw Selections

Does the idea of a plant-based diet scare you a little? Don’t worry, many people feel that way at first, but we find that this reaction is typically a reaction to the unfamiliarity of vegan and raw food more than anything else.

So we decided that if our students are willing to go outside their comfort zone, we should give them food worthy of the effort they are making. We hired Chefs Julia and Starlyn from Whole Foods who have kept our students fueled for rigorous yoga and intensive learning sessions — all while introducing how beautiful and delicious healthy food can be.

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Are you wondering if Yahweh Yoga’s Christian Yoga teacher training is the right step to start your professional, personal, and spiritual transformation? Please see our Teacher Training FAQ for more information, or contact us to speak with us personally.

Christian Yoga teachers learn how to fly!

A conversation with Jenn Chiarelli, expert in arm balances and inversions

In celebration of the Yahweh Yoga RYT teacher trainee group we have currently working at our studio, we thought you might like take a peek at some of the instruction our trainees enjoy.

One area that always generates buzz among our students is the work we do with arm balances and inversions.

We are pleased to introduce Jenn Chiarelli, the woman who guides our RYT students into this exciting realm of yoga practice. Jenn answered a few of the questions that people typically have about these yoga poses.

Arm balances look difficult. How do people know when they are ready to try them?

Jenn:
The surprising thing is that most people can actually do arm balances. It isn’t so much a matter of having extreme arm strength; rather it is more a case of having proper alignment so that you can balance. Really, you need more core strength than arm strength.

A good gauge for if you are ready to try arm balances is a push up. If you can do a push up without falling to your belly or knees, you are a great candidate for arm balances. Also, try to find a teacher who will break down the arm balances into smaller parts so they don’t feel so scary - and try blocks and other props to help you transition.

We get many questions from women wondering if it is okay to do inversions while menstruating. What are your thoughts?

Jenn:
Well, I am not a physician, so I do not give out medical advice, but I can say this: my own gynecologist told me that there is no medical reason for a woman to avoid inversion poses during menstruation. The advice I give women is to tune into how you feel during this time about your energetic body and honor where you are. If you are comfortable doing inversions, great! If not, go easy on yourself and wait until you are more comfortable doing them.

What is your favorite arm balance pose?

Jenn:
I like the Firefly; it is a fun, weird pose! You sit back on your upper arms and extend your legs. This pose is one of the more advanced ones, but it is so freeing as you look upward and lift your heart.

What is your favorite inversion pose?

Jenn:
The Feathered Peacock pose is great. You have a nice, solid base on your forearms and elbows so it gives you freedom to move your legs around. When you shift the balance of your body this way, you get a whole new perspective - one that is so much different than just standing on your feet.

In your opinion, what is the biggest obstacle for people with regard to arm balances and inversions?

Jenn:
Fear, without a doubt. People are scared of the unknown, afraid to try something new. At first, these poses are out of most people’s comfort zone. I heard people with very strong yoga practices say, “Oh noooo, I’m not ready to try those.” and I will tell them “Yes, you are!”

I can’t emphasize enough how important it is to have a teacher you really trust when you begin to try these poses. It makes the transition so much easier.

When I teach someone new to arm balances and inversions, I make sure we have blocks and blanket “crash pads” so that people feel comfortable and safe. I always tell my students, “If you fall, it is no big deal - you pick yourself up and try again.” Trying these poses are just like life in that regard

Another way to help make the transition easier is to be part of a learning group where you feel comfortable and safe. One of the things I love about teaching the Yahweh Yoga teacher trainees is that they are so tight-knit. They support each other, cheer, and applaud. When people feel safe together, trying something new is not so intimidating.

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About Jenn Chiarelli
Jenn Chiarelli began her career in professional ballet, working with such notable companies as the Cleveland Ballet. During her dance career, she discovered Ashtanga yoga and found that the freedom of her yoga practice offered a much-needed counterbalance to the rigors of the professional dance world.

In 2003, Jenn undertook her RYT teacher training education at the Nosara Yoga Institute in Costa Rica. She began teaching yoga full-time shortly thereafter, leaving behind the world of professional ballet. Jenn currently trains people to teach yoga at At One Yoga and enjoys participating in The Movement Source Dance Company, a Phoenix area modern dance group.

You can read more about Jenn on her website, www.jennchiarelli.com or drop her an email at jenn@jennchiarelli.com to be included on her e-newsletter list.

Crazy for Christian Yoga: 180 hours in 15 days!

Meet our newest teacher trainee class

Could you eat, breathe, and think Christian Yoga non-stop for 15 12-hour days? If so, then you are a kindred spirit to the dedicated women in our newest Yahweh Yoga RYT teacher training class.

After spending 70 days in our online classroom environment covering the basics on everything from anatomy to marketing, these 23 students came to Arizona for 15, 12-hour days of live instruction.

Why such intensive days?

Our students come from all over the country and the world to participate in the Yahweh Yoga RYT program. We knew we needed to find a way to make the Yoga Alliance RYT designation available to our Christian Yoga graduates and still allow most students to squeeze in their live training in the amount of time normally allotted for vacation breaks. But we were left with a quandary: How do we make our program accessible to distance learners and still meet Yoga Alliance requirements of 180 contact hours?

God and good planning was the answer

Of course, with God, everything is possible. He gave us the vision to design a concentrated learning experience that alternates rigorous activity with low-intensity work so that students can stay focused without running out of steam. We even cater all the meals with healthy choices so that our students can keep their energy up and their minds engaged. The result is total immersion in the world of Christian Yoga.

Another benefit of total immersion Christian Yoga training

We have many students that take our teacher training program because they want to make a fundamental change in their lives. They want to:

• Change the perception they have with their bodies
• Improve their approach to nutrition
• Strengthen their relationship with in our Savior.

During the course design phase, our goal was to make the Yahweh Yoga RYT program a method for people to commit to improving their lives on spiritual, emotional, and physical levels. When the class session sold out and we had to end the enrollment period early, we felt like we had received confirmation from our students that we were indeed offering a way to help change their lives.

All important endeavors are worth hard work

Our newest class is ready for the rigorous road that they face to their RYT designation. We pray that they are blessed by this challenging, yet worthwhile, educational undertaking. And as one of our friends said on our Yahweh Yoga Facebook page: Ladies, “you can do it through HIM who strengthens you!”

Good luck to our first class of 2010!

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We will be touching base with these ladies as they complete their intensive Christian Yoga journey through the Yahweh Yoga curriculum. Any questions you would like us to ask them? Please post your questions in the comments below.

Christian Yoga Thrives in Italy: Meet Jo-Dee Collins

Yahweh Yoga Graduate Jo-Dee Collins teaches Christian Yoga in Penne, Italy

We asked Jo-Dee, owner of Abruzzo Yoga to share her views on teaching Christian Yoga. Here is what she had to say:

Why did you decide to become a Christian Yoga teacher?
I started leading some friends in yoga classes and they wanted to pay me and I was uncomfortable accepting money without being certified. When I started looking into schools, I wanted to find something that fit my religious views and the Lord led me to Yahweh Yoga.

What benefits do you receive by practicing Christian Yoga?
Mostly, I have learned to be quiet and listen to Him instead of listing my prayers and desires. I wait on Him to guide me. What I have found is I receive a lot more when I remain quiet.

Has Christian Yoga helped your health? If so, how?
I am learning more and more about my body and how it reacts to different things. I have cut out caffeine and have started to eliminate dairy and meat from my diet, and I see how much better I feel and how much more energy I have.

How has Christian Yoga helped your personality “off the mat?”
I love teaching my students about the things yoga can teach us and how we can use those things outside the studio..My favorite is “Find the peace within the struggle.”

How has Christian Yoga helped you help others?
I have learned that even though my love for yoga is strong and I wish to share the benefits with as many people as possible, Christian Yoga has taught me my passion: to provide a safe, nurturing environment where people let down their guard, feel cared for, and ultimately engage in a deeper relationship with their creator. This takes a lot of time with some people.

I have many students who are non believers and they only want to come for my strictly hatha classes. But even in those classes, I have asked the Holy Spirit to be present, to protect my students and fill the studio with love. I then try to prepare my students hearts and minds to receive the truth their hearts and souls have to say to them. Sometimes it is humbling to them and sometimes it is overwhelming with love. But whatever it may be, I want them to feel it through Christ.

What made you choose to travel so far to study at Yahweh Yoga?
It really wasn’t my choice. I believe the Lord provided. We have friends who live only minutes from the studio (via bike) and the idea that I could spend a month living with them and commuting without a car, was just plain and simple - a miracle provided by God.

What impact do you make on others when you teach Christian Yoga?
Only the Lord knows that. I just am happy when my students feel happy.

What does teaching Christian yoga mean to you? I feel like I have found my purpose.

What is most important to you about your students?
Providing them with a safe haven, where the outside world doesn’t exists and they feel loved, protected and free to explore their hearts, minds, souls and bodies.

What was your favorite part of your training and stay at Yahweh Yoga?
I don’t think there was any one thing I could say was my favorite part, it was all wonderful. But what I treasure the most are the relationships that have developed through that course. They are not only life long, they are eternal.

Honestly, I just love each and everyday to have the opportunity to do what I love and hopefully bring others closer to Christ. What more is there to life than that?

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If you feel called to learn more about the Yahweh Yoga Christian Yoga RYT program, please see our FAQ.

Our LAST Teacher Training Sale Until 2011

Yahweh Yoga Teacher Training is the perfect way to keep your new year’s resolutions.

Get fit, learn yoga, and strengthen your relationship with God.

We want to help your personal, professional, and spiritual goals for 2010, so we are offering a $350 discount on our 250-hour Christian Yoga RYT program. Plus, with your deposit, get a free long-sleeve signature Yahweh Yoga tee.

This offer is good for any 2010 teacher training session, but hurry! This is the last discount for 2010 teacher training that we will offer.

To take advantage of the $350 savings, please contact us or call Courtney at (480) 753-HOLY (4659). You must place a deposit to secure your place and receive the discount.

Three Christian Yoga Tees plus Two DVDs at One Special Price

Get your workout with Yahweh Yoga’s popular DVD’s and look stylish while you do it!

This special offer gives you one each of Gentle Journey DVD, Faithful Flow DVD, plus two short sleeve and one long sleeve shirt of your choosing.

Only $106.50 plus shipping - save 10%. Please see our 3Tee & DVD special to learn more.

Hurry! This is a limited time offer

This offer is only available through the holidays. Click here to shop Yahweh Yoga now.

Three Christian Yoga Tees for One Low Price

At the studio, people have such a hard time choosing their favorite tee!
Now you don’t have to choose - get two short sleeve tees and one long sleeve tee and save 10%.These three tees are only $71 plus shipping. Click here to view this deal!

Which Christian Yoga tee is right for you?

Do you want to let the world know that Jesus is your guru? How about a gentle reminder to Breathe?
And, of course, we have Yahweh Yoga tees so that you can share where you get your yoga groove on.

Hurry! This is a limited time offer

This offer is only available through the holidays. Click here to shop Yahweh Yoga now.

Our new Christian Yoga tees are sure to please!

We are super picky

Yes, we were a demanding bunch when it came to designing our new Christian Yoga shirts.

Take length, for example. We wanted our shirts to be long enough to not ride up when we bend at the waist.

Or how about weight? A good yoga shirt needs to be form fitting, soft, and lightweight so that you can sweat comfortably, but not so thin that it is transparent.

We even carefully placed the designs for modesty. Who needs someone staring right at your chest to read your shirt?

Christian Yoga designs galore!

When our designer began bringing us samples, we couldn’t decide which one we liked the most. So we decided to offer them all to you!

We have colorful designs on white shirts and crisp black designs on colored shirts, in both short- and long-sleeve styles. And take heart if you find yourself struggling to choose just one shirt - we have an introductory holiday specials that lets you choose more than one shirt and save 10%.

Easy Care

Wash ‘em! Dry ‘em! They will still look great. DeAnna takes hers out of the washer and hangs them up to drip dry with no need to iron later. Click to begin shopping.

Send us your photos!

Is your Yahweh Yoga Christian Yoga tee like your second skin? Please send us a photo to share online.

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