So for about three to four years (intentionally for about the last two years) now I have been practicing yoga. I got into it because I was looking for something to help with my chronic back pain (caused by my scoliosis). After some frustrating days I discovered that practicing yoga helped relieve my lower back pain. In fact I am now pretty much pain free in my lower back. However there were two unanticipated benefits.
- I lost weight (30 pounds in fact)
- Yoga helped me to center my mind in a way that allowed me to better connect with God.
Now most everyone who is a regular part of my church Mosaic Life knows I practice yoga. But recently with the launch of our new ministry Awaken: contemplative living 24/7 I decided to pursue training to teach yoga as my contribution to that ministry. So I got level one teacher training from yoga fit and I’m pursuing registered teaching training with Brooke Boone of Holy Yoga. Next month I will start teaching a free weekly yoga practice. I know there are some Christians who think that the two are incompatible (check out the video below.) But there is something powerful that happens when I bring my Christian spirituality to my yoga mat. Any other Christians yogis care to comment
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I’m with you on the Christins and Yoga thing and have a bit of a long response on my blog http://timvictor.wordpress.com/2007/11/06/christians-and-yoga/ which stemmed from the John MacArthur vs. Doug Pagitt debate I caught on CNN via youtube. There’s definately more truth and value in the world than what a narrow western Christianity accepts when it canonizes culture with its faith. I’m a Christian who rock climbs and have found that yoga helps emensely by adding flexibility and strength.
hi, goodluck on your journey I hope that these negative issues won’t affect you and your goal on becoming an experienced yogi.