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Flow in His Magnificence: Jesus + Yoga
While I was preparing for my launch party for Sacred Spaces Yoga (that was canceled due to COVID – hater) I was eager to reach out to a black owned company that sold Yoga mats with scriptures on them. Ok so she markets them as Prayer Mats…but they are yoga mats with scriptures on them. Something told me not to reach out and just use my new Lululemon mat at the event.
Don’t you love when you listen to that “something” in your head and later realize it was a prompting from the Holy Spirit?
Anyway…fast forward a few months later and she posted a video on IG stating that her prayer mats are not to be used for Yoga because it is demonic and worshipping Hinduism. Ya’ll…I was ready to tackle my keyboard with a neck rolling response but WWJD?
So I took a breath and explained that the ancient practice of Yoga actually predates the Hinduism faith and how important it is to not spread false narratives. I even offered an opportunity to connect but she never responded.
I understand that the lack of true knowledge of Yoga and its roots have contributed to the fear and misinterpretation that some Christians have of the practice. But I always find myself in disbelief when people say Yoga is demonic. How can anyone call this beautiful practice that God has used to heal me spiritually, mentally, and physically demonic?
I will never forget the first time I met God on my mat. It was storming outside and I heard Him say “Be still my daughter. I know you are surrounded by chaos but can you surrender to me? Can you lean into my love and allow me to confront you? Can you find my peace here?”
During the remainder of practice I recited the first verse that came to my mind.
‘Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. ‘Psalms 23:4
And then I cried until I couldn’t cry anymore. I’m pretty sure I scared the entire class lol. Now every time I step on the mat my intention is to honor God through movement, prayer, meditation, and holy listening. And every time he meets me there with revelations, confirmations, and reminders of His goodness.
So yes, when people claim that Christians shouldn’t do yoga, my first instinct is to provide a passionate and emotion filled response. I just want them to experience all that yoga has to offer, especially when you include God in your practice. But the reality is that most times those passionate responses fall on deaf ears.
“Well Queen how do I respond to people who oppose Christians practicing yoga?” I’m glad you asked!
Here are 4 Tips to Help You Advocate for Christian Yoga.
*Click each topic for more details
Pause & Pray
Take a moment to truly listen to the reason why they don’t believe Christians should not practice Yoga. Unfortunately most individuals misinterpretation of the practice was taught to at an early age by the church. It’s simply a lack of knowledge and if you don’t take the time to pause you will respond out of your own emotions instead of allowing God’s words to flow through you.
‘Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. ‘ James 1:19 NLT
Have a moment alone with God and ask him for discernment in deciding if a response is even warranted. Some people aren’t ready and willing to even have the conversation. If He gives you a yes, pray that He also gives you the words specifically for that individual. Continue to remind yourself that it is God’s voice, through you, that changes hearts.
Sword of the Spirit
When Jesus was tempted by the devil in the wilderness, his weapon of choice was scripture. (Matthew 4: 1-11) The bible instructs us to put on the armor of God including the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (Ephesians 6:17)
Most opposition from Christians about yoga is based on their belief that it is worshipping Hindu gods. True authentic worship is much more than physical postures, worship is a matter of the heart.
The inner essence of worship is to know God truly and then respond from the heart to that knowledge by valuing God, treasuring God, prizing God, enjoying God, being satisfied with God above all earthly things. (John Piper)
When we think about the physical aspect of worship, we may think of lifting our hands in praise. Physical movements can very well compliment your worship, but the physical movement alone is not a reflection of authentic worship. So when I lift my hands to the sky in Warrior I pose with my head lifted to the Father and my heart honoring his glory, I am in fact worshiping God…not a Hindu god.
Yoga’s Roots
The word yoga literally translates to “union” and is made up of three systems; breath, movement, and meditation. No religion owns how we breathe, move, and focus but as for me and my house we will serve the Lord, so as I breathe, move, my focus is on God.
‘‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ Acts 17:28
The biggest misconception is that yoga is a religion. This is false. Yoga is not a religion but it is a spiritual practice or discipline. We cannot deny that aspects of yoga have been incorporated into various religion beliefs, but the ancient practice of yoga came first. (Now if we are being really honest the physical yoga poses can be traced back to the Hieroglyphics in ancient Egypt – Kemet but that’s another blog for another day). A few additional examples of spiritual practices that are used in different religions is prayer and fasting.
You Plant, God Grows
This tip may be the hardest to implement. Mainly because we have witnessed how beneficial Yoga is to our physical, mental, and spiritual beings and we want to share that with the world. But the reality is that some just will not understand and that is ok.
‘I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow. ‘ 1 Corinthians 3:6-7
You did your part by being vulnerable enough to share this beautiful practice, let God do the rest.
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