Boat Pose

Step By Step

• Sit on the mat with legs out straight.
• Press hands on the mat a little behind the hips, shoulders back and wrap around the spine, fingers pointing towards the feet and arms strengthen.
• Lift up through the top of the sternum and lean back slightly.
• Bend knees to a 45 degree angle lifting feet off of the floor; feet are active.
• Come onto sits bone.
• Stretch arms out along side the legs parallel each other and the floor, palms in and stretch through the fingers. You can also reach over your head to the heavens in praise.
• Extend legs out straight, pointing toes and if possible rise above eye level. Take the pose to your level. If you wish to straighten the legs go for it.
• You can also toe lock your big toes with your peace sign fingers and extend the legs to wide V or straight.

Benefits

• Strengthens the abdomen, hip flexors and spine.
• Stimulates the kidneys, thyroid, prostate glands and intestines.
• Helps relieve stress.
• Improves digestion.

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

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.

Energize with Warrior One Pose

This energizing pose will lift your heart to the heavens

Benefits of Warrior One:

• Stretches the chest, lungs, shoulders, neck, belly and groin.
• Strengthens the shoulders, arms and back muscles.
• Stretches and strengthens the thighs, calves, arches and ankles.

Warrior One Step-by-Step:

Step one:From Mountain Pose (standing) step straight back and turn back toes out slightly. 45 to 60 degrees.
Step two: Back leg is active as heel presses into the floor, thigh draws up. Bend the front knee over the heel and in line with toes. Shin should be perpendicular to the floor. Try to bring right thigh parallel to the floor.
Step three: Hips and shoulders square off to the front of the room.
Step four: Fingers are active and spread as arms lift up.
Step five: Shoulder bones are pressed back into the sockets and heart rises and arms lift over the head and come back by the ears. Palms turn in to face each other; pinkies turn in slightly if desired to activate triceps.
Step six: Gaze is forward or tilted back to look at the fingers.

We encourage you to try this energizing pose.

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