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?”

Christian Yoga teacher Lisa O'Quinn

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.

Christian Yoga teacher Tathiana Wan

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

Living Intentionally: Envious No More

Living Intentionally: Envious No More

“If I live intentionally, being true to my own personality, serving out of my God-given giftedness and passion, I no longer feel the urge to envy anyone else’s career, marriage, talents, body or mission.”

The day I jotted these liberating words into my journal, I sighed with relief. Although I rarely voiced envy, I was secretly disappointed that others had fulfilled their dreams but I had not. I wanted to honor God as the woman He created me to be. Yet I wasn’t certain how to do that and I was afraid to even try.

Afraid that God (and others) would think I was selfish if I took the initiative to nurture my interests and gifts. Afraid that events in my past may have canceled out my credibility. Afraid that I might misinterpret God and make “wrong” decisions.

Then I met a new friend, Carol Travilla, and together we embarked on a journey to discover how to live courageously and intentionally for God. We learned that being “intentional” means becoming proactive instead of having a knee-jerk reaction to situations.

We met other intentional women with hearts for God. We’re all learning to accept what we cannot change about our season and circumstances, making courageous and deliberate decisions about the things we can change. At the same time, we’ve decided not to let the attitudes and pressures of other people unduly influence us. We long to be focused and directed, not floundering or driven. (And that’s a bold goal in this action-obsessed culture!)

Gradually we recognized other perks from learning to live intentionally such as stress reduction, increased self-respect, healthier relationships and less over-commitment and burnout.

How about you? Perhaps your circumstances are not exactly as you envisioned they would be at this stage of your life. Yet when you come as you are to partner with God, you can be assured that He is in the process of fulfilling His commitment to guide and produce good in you. (Eph. 2:10) You will gain courage to be yourself and stop playing the “comparison game.”

An open letter from DeAnna

Dear Friends,

I feel called to post something for times such as these. This summer has been very interesting (not always in a good way) for me, my family and my friends. So many are suffering, ill and stressed.

I’m writing because for the first time in my life I got depressed watching the news last night. Things are truly getting very rough for people; I know vital, intelligent people who are ill and can’t afford medication, who are abandoning their homes and moving in with family, who have been unemployed for months even though they are diligent about seeking employment in this “jobless recovery”, who have suffered deep disappointment.

For me, I believe that staying steadfastly centered with Christ and relying on His promises for miracles and not forgetting them is what will ease the pain and stress of the struggles so many of us are experiencing.

Practicing Christian yoga regularly at anytime, but especially in times like these, is utterly important in keeping ourselves centered in Christ and not buying into the “world” and its (all too real) doom and gloom. Being of and maintaining a sound mind that relies on His promises of miracles for us takes focus, fellowship, prayer and regular practice.

As we return October 1st to our studio class schedule, if you are in a situation where you cannot afford classes, please just let us know and we will scholarship you until you can.

If you are in a situation where you can afford our low prices it will help us be good stewards in the operations of Yahweh Yoga and we are so grateful for you. Either way, let’s come together to regularly practice in October in a way that is stronger in fellowship than ever before, fasting, praying, building health and mind/body/soul strength together so we remained bathed in our full confidence in Christ knowing He never lets go of us.

As believers the one thing we know is that we can count on and expect His miracles in His timing and that if we stay there in our minds and hearts, we will move through times such as these with full confidence in God, less stress on our minds and in better health and expecting miracles to help heal and prosper us. Praying, fellowship, eating well and light, sweating, meditating….all these things work together to help us endure these times together in love and much less stress.

I for one, cannot wait to see you and practice with you in October, I have missed you over the summer. Until October 1st then…let us remember together:

“And this is the confidence that we have toward Him, that if we ask anything according to His will he hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of Him.” John 5:14-15

“We need to remember that God always keeps His promises. He will never forsake you nor leave you.” Deuteronomy 31:6

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.” (NIV, bold)

“Give thanks to the Lord and pray to him.Tell the nations what he has done. Sing to him; sing praises to him.
Tell about all his miracles. Be glad that you are his; let those who seek the Lord be happy.
Depend on the Lord and his strength; always go to Him for help.
Remember the miracles He has done;remember His wonders and His decisions.
You are descendants of His servant Abraham, the children of Jacob, His chosen people.
He is the Lord our God.His laws are for all the world. He will keep his agreement forever;
He will keep his promises always.” Psalm 105, Verses 1-8 (New Century Version)

Full confidence in God is the only way to live

Have full confidence in God

Full confidence in God is the only way to live, especially during these times. 100% confidence, not 99%. Only then do we authentically center with Christ, tucked in His heart, unafraid and at peace, above the fray of today’s harsh news.

Full 100% confidence in God is the only way to stay mentally and heartfeltly centered within in the place of peace where miracles do happen regardless of what the world is saying and/or doing. A prayer for you knowing with full confidence that He keeps His promises:

Psalm 109: 21-22(The Message)
Oh, God, my Lord, step in;
work a miracle for me - you can do it!
Get me out of here - your love is so great!
I’m at the end of my rope.

Psalm 109: 26-29(The Message)
Help me, oh help me, God, my God,
save me through your wonderful love;
Then they’ll know that your hand is in this,
that you, God, have been at work.

Psalm 116: 7-8 (The Message)
I said to myself, “Relax and rest.
God has showered you with blessings.
Soul, you’ve been rescued from death,
you’ve been rescued from your tears.