Yahweh Blog: Two Healthy Choices for 2011

Homemade cookies don’t tempt me in January. After the plethora of holiday feasts, I’d rather have a crunchy carrot than almost any kind of sweet treat. I’m ready to make some healthy choices for the new year. Monumental resolutions usually don’t stick for the long-term, so I’m making two reasonable resolutions I think I can keep in the weeks and months to come:

1) Practice Christian Yoga. My body feels best when I practice at home or in a group setting every other day. Sometimes I practice with my copy of Yahweh Yoga’s “Faithful Flow” DVD; other times, I select a Christian music collection on Pandora and practice by myself; I teach Yahweh Yoga classes; and occasionally, I practice in a group class.

2) Make Healthy Food Choices. I buy organic produce and other healthy foods as often as possible. For Christmas this year, I received a Breville Juice Fountain. I’m having fun experimenting with different fruits and vegetables. Often, I serve my creation in a goblet, offering a toast to my body, knowing that I’m giving it a boost of natural enzymes and nutrients. Never, not in a thousand years, would I ever have guessed that I’d like green juice. But guess what? In a few short days of experimenting, I’m becoming a passionate fan of the stuff. Go figure.

What about you? How are you starting out this new year? What choices are you making for a healthy body in 2011? Feel free to share your ideas and resolutions in the response section of this blog.

Here’s to a healthy you in the year to come!

Yahweh Yoga Blog: CCYT and RYT: Excellence for the Christian Yoga Teacher

CCYT and RYT: Excellence for the Christian Yoga Teacher

I was hooked. Within months of taking my first yoga class, I began to consider teaching. I wanted to understand more about yoga and to share it with others.

Great instruction at local studios further fueled my desire to teach. I developed a powerful vision: to incorporate my faith in Jesus with my yoga practice. My research on Christian yoga teacher training led me to several sources. My yoga school choice purely was a “God thing.” With one phone call, I loved Yahweh Yoga’s approach. I found there a mutual passion for Jesus and yoga. My excitement mounted as I took the first steps toward becoming a Christian yoga teacher.

When I began my online studies, I saw the value of the double certification I was pursuing, as both a Certified Christian Yoga Teacher (CCYT) and a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT). Potential employers asked about my yoga school and certification. Most, but not all, of them indicated they would require RYT certification to hire me.

Now that I’ve graduated, I fully appreciate the value of my dual certification. I’ve started my own yoga business, intentionally incorporating the word “Christian” into my business name, because I want to teach Yahweh Yoga-style Christian yoga. My passion is to share wellness with other believers through Christian yoga. My CCYT certification identifies my instruction as uniquely Christian.

In some ways, my RYT certification from Yoga Alliance is icing on the cake; but not really. I now understand that it’s the gold standard of excellence within the yoga industry at large. If I choose, I’m qualified to teach in just about any studio as an RYT. And, to tell you the truth, I think my RYT earns respect and credibility within and outside of the yoga community.

My training has equipped me to deliver safe, quality instruction for all of my students. Because believe me, 250 hours of teacher training is not for the faint of heart. Meeting the RYT standards took commitment, hard work and some personal sacrifice.

Was it worth it? Unequivocally. As a Christian yoga teacher, I live in the best of both worlds with dual certification. It was worth the time, effort and investment to achieve both the CCYT and RYT designations. They reinforce the excellence and intensity of my professional and spiritual preparation for the role to which Jesus has called me. I’m equipped and qualified to carry out this exciting new role as a Christian yoga teacher.

I serve a God who does all things with excellence. So, as I represent Him in my life and in my Christian yoga instruction, I’m happy that the caliber of my training and credentials give me opportunity to share Him with my students. That, after all, is what it’s all about.

Graduation Eve: Reflections from a Yahweh Yoga Teacher Candidate

It’s almost here. The day for which our entire Yahweh Yoga class has studied, worked, prayed and sweated. We’ve invested 250 hours of our lives for the privilege of teaching Yahweh Yoga. Tomorrow, we will have earned our status as Registered Yoga Teachers and Certified Christian Yoga Teachers. We’re equipped, ready and excited to share Christian yoga with others.

Many of us have been transformed by our experience here in the desert. We’ve lived outside of our comfort zones. We’ve seen God do things in and through us that we would never have imagined just two weeks ago. We’ve built deep friendships; the kind forged amidst challenges. We came to Yahweh Yoga as students. We will leave as teachers.

The pinnacle of our journey is our final teach; a practice session that includes music, scripture  and Christian yoga postures. One by one, we take the seat of the teacher and guide our fellow students in a 30-minute practice session.

Today, I led my final teach. I felt a lump rise in my throat as my teachers and fellow students surrounded me, placed their hands on my shoulders and prayed over me. I said a silent prayer of my own, as I battled butterflies in my stomach. The studio lights dimmed and I hit the “play” button on my ipod. As the calming music enveloped the room, I opened and read a portion of God’s Word aloud. Then, laying down on my yoga mat, I breathed deeply. God’s peace infused my anxious mind. I began to lead the class, cuing postures I’ve learned and practiced every day during my training. As Laura Story’s sweet voice piped through the speakers, we moved through the challenging ab work I had planned for the outset of my final teach. Most of the remaining 20 minutes are a blur of cues, stretches and postures that now seem like second nature to me. Thirty minutes seemed like five. As my final teach drew to a close, I opened God’s Word again and read from I Peter 3. I prayed aloud for my classmates. And then, it was over. Words of affirmation and encouragement erupted from everywhere in the room. My teachers critiqued my teaching and offered both compliments and constructive input to improve my skills for the future.

Then it was my turn to support and encourage my friends as they, too, took the seat of the teacher. Our styles and delivery were as unique as our personalities. We shed happy tears for one another. We worshiped God and even broke bread together in communion.

After graduation tomorrow, we’ll have the titles to show for our work. But if you ask me, we each became teachers at our final teach. Tomorrow will be bittersweet in some ways, as we celebrate together, but also say goodbye to one another. Not only have we become Yahweh Yoga teachers; we’ve also become cherished friends along the way.

Feeling God’s Presence during Christian Yoga Teacher Training

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?”

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.

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

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.

A letter from DeAnna: My Personal Transformation During our Recent Teacher Training

Hello Dear Yahweh Yoga Family,

As I write this, it is the first day after our January, 2010 Christian Yoga RYT Teacher Training graduation. During the ending days of the training, many students used the words “personal transformation” to describe their teacher training experience.

As I was reflecting on what students had to say, I realized that I too experienced personal transformation and deeper appreciation of daily life as a result of my role in our last class.

Hard work and the Word of God

Twenty-three students participated in our teacher training experience this month: they were Christian women from all over the world, from all backgrounds, and of all ages and fitness levels.

This was the first session of our revised RYT program where we cut back from 22 eight-hour days to twelve- to fourteen-hour days…for 15 days straight!

By the end of those long days, we came to realize that we had all grown close in heart and fellowship as we filled our minds and bodies with education about God, health and yoga. We pushed our bodies to the limits in terms of strength and endurance, and relaxed together over healthy eating and drinking.

Having this entire experience tethered in the Word of God was truly amazing for me personally.

Why this course was different from other sessions

I was asking myself, what was so different about this course and why did it impact me so intensely?

I won’t sugar-coat it, we worked long – and sometimes grueling – hours. Yet all the women, from ages 20s to 70s grew in their confidence and ability to teach Christian Yoga.

As my first yoga teacher told me once: “If it’s not hard, why are you doing it?” I realized that pushing myself to my limit was invigorating and I believe everyone else felt the same way. We were proud of ourselves (and it wasn’t like we went beyond good sense and/or safety), but we did push ourselves and it felt great to do so.

Overcoming the challenges of long days with the blessing of being able to serve both God and these wonderful women with my co-instructor (and precious daughter) Courtney, was life-changing for me. It helped me to see that God loves me so much that He has placed this purpose in my heart to help build strong, skilled, Christian yoga teachers to serve others worldwide. I know Courtney feels the same way.

How the students transformed

All 23 students could feel the presence of God each and every day and they radiated His love as they encouraged their classmates to reach their goals. We all saw first-hand how people of different ages and fitness levels can teach some form of Christian Yoga. I truly believe that all of the students came away with a new awareness that they can personally serve others through the gift of health and fitness.

Time to chill

Honestly, it may take me a week to process and recover! But an important part of my personal transformation is a renewed realization deep in my heart of the importance of living a balanced life that offers time for personal quiet time with God each day, my own personal fitness time, caring for my home, visiting with my friends and of course…relaxing at the spa.

Our thanks go out to you

I know that there were many of you praying for the students and Courtney and I during training; thank you sweet friends. His presence was felt at all times and we thank you for your encouragement.

To all of our Yahweh Yoga teacher training students that were there…we love you forever and eternity.

To all the YY staff teachers…you rock! Thank you for the memorable classes.

To all the YY studio students…thanks for your patience during these two weeks, we love you!

To Julia and Star Lynn…The plant-based menu was truly delicious and inspired us all to appreciate a more natural and healthy lifestyle. Thank you for the sacred yet fun flavor of each meal.

To our families…We love you! All of us —students and teachers— involved in the training couldn’t have excelled without your love, help, encouragement, and support during this time and always.

To God be the Glory!

Love,
DeAnna

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.

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.

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