Cat / Cow pose

Cat / Cow

Step By Step

• Come into Table Pose.

• Knees under hips and wrist under shoulders.

• Allow the breath to guide the movement of the body into the poses.

• Inhale as the belly drops, heart and head lift and the tailbone presses up and out. (Cow Pose)

• Head draws down and chin tucks.

(Cat Pose)

• Exhale as back arches and belly button draws towards the spine.

• Gaze at your belly button.

Benefits

• Strengthens abs and back.

• Good way to connect to correct breathing.

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

Surprising reasons people want to learn to teach Christian yoga

At every one of our teacher training classes, I ask the students why they want to take our teacher training. Surprisingly, students never say: “Because I want to become skilled at yoga.” In fact, I can’t think of one student that named yoga expertise as their primary reason for wanting to get their RYT certification.

We thought you would be interested in the top reasons people become Christian yoga teachers:

Reason 1: They seek personal transformation.

People want to make a permanent shift into a healthy lifestyle to transform their lives. By taking the time to get their RYT, people realize that they will also have a condensed period of time where they focus on learning and practicing the mind, body and soul aspects of premium health that will forever change and enhance their lives. Although it starts as way for students to take time just for themselves, they soon realize that taking they have the tools to serve others better.

Reason 2: People want to earn extra income and do something meaningful at the same time.

In this economy, earning supplemental income is important to many people, but earning money isn’t the only reason people go to work each day. Many of our teacher trainees want the satisfaction of offering the healthful practice of yoga in a Christ-filled atmosphere of praise and thanks.

Reason 3: Teacher trainees love yoga but are uncomfortable in new-age settings.

Traditionally, yoga is not associated with any religious practice, yet activities found in many traditional yoga classes, such as chanting and studying materials that may be uncomfortable for people raised in Christ-centered homes.

Almost all of our Christian Yoga teacher training students began their careers by exploring yoga in a secular environment, but once they learn of a Christ-based alternative, they feel much more at home in their practice.

Reason 4: Leading Christian Yoga classes to helps teachers work through personal trials.

Many of our graduates are drawn to teach during times when they are struggling personally. For example, graduate Lynn Singer found that teaching Christian Yoga was instrumental in dealing with the grief she felt after her son died. Another one of our graduates, Tamara Buschel, came to teach Christian Yoga to restore her own health as she fought a neurological disease.

Reason 5: They feel called to serve.

You know how relaxed and in tune with God you feel after taking a Christian Yoga class? Many of our graduates decided to become Christian Yoga teachers because they wanted to share this same feeling with their families, friends, and churches.

One of our graduates, Ashley Getz, went back home after receiving her RYT designation and taught classes in a basement for her family and friends. Now her sisters, her mother, and her mother’s close friends are Christian Yoga teachers themselves. Ashley’s major in college and graduate school is Dance Therapy, now she has incorporated Yoga Therapy into her teachings.

Have you ever thought about attending the Yahweh Yoga teacher training program?

The need for more Christian Yoga teachers is great. We receive calls and emails all the time from people requesting classes worldwide. If this appeals to you, please call for more information today.

Our LAST sale on teacher training ends December 31—no other sale will be offered in 2010. This sale is good for all 2010 teacher trainings.

Meet Yahweh Yoga graduates

Congratulations, Graduates!

We are pleased to introduce our June graducates! Everyone worked hard and shared much through the program.

Each student brought something different and blessed to the class. Please check our Your Stories blog over the next few months to read about their journeys in their new careers.

Congratulations graduates!

“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.