Coffee,Writer’s Snacks and Yoga
It’s a great day. I slept a little better last night and then went to the gym. I climbed the stairs for 20 minutes and then practiced Yoga for an hour. The Frog pose really released my hips and there is now, a little pep in my step. I went to the store and got 3 bags of writer’s snacks and two cups of coffee. Hurried home and wrote like a mad woman, actually I let God do the typing and we came up with some good stuff.
As a Christian I often hear lots of controversy surrounding yoga. I can only speak for myself and say that it’s one of my most connected times with God. There are many kinds of Yoga and I attend a Yoga 101 class. I can go at my own pace that way and no one is leading me in a chant to Hindu gods. From the moment I hit my mat, I begin my breath prayer "Abba, I belong to you." You breathe in on counts of "Abba" and exhale on "I belong to you." I visually watch and imitate the instructor, the whole hour praying and talking to God.
Yes, I know that yoga means "yoked." I choose to be yoked with God. He says in His Word, His burden is light and I find this to be especially true. Because I only bow to God the Father, I do not bow to the instructor, or the inner god within him. So I don’t say "Namaste" at the end.
People have asked why I would put myself in a dark room with non-believing, idol worshiping people. I find it no different than being at Costco, Safeway, the Doctors office or out in the world in general. It’s an opportunity to be a light, but mostly it’s a cherished time to go before God and just be with Him for an hour.
I have a good friend that always says that "some people can’t be trusted to be let out of the Church." That means that Yoga isn’t right for everyone. It wouldn’t have been right for me ten years ago. You have to ask yourself if it’s right for you and God, and then do whatever it is that He has told you to do.
Amen.
Audra Krell 
Hi Audra,
I love yoga. I agree with you. I think it’s a great place to go quiet, be still and feel connected with God.
Great post, Audra! You’re so right that the most important thing for each of us is listening carefully to God’s voice for direction and then following through on what He tells us!
Also, I think we should each work to get to the place where we are able to share life everywhere we are with everyone we meet.
I tried yoga about 5 years ago…it was part of our church staff work out with Jerny. When I’m done at Fitness Together, I might try to find a yoga class near my house. Or possibly a kick-boxing class!