Thursday, April 4, 2013

This Body, A Temple?

Months ago I began a journey towards a goal that I have had for some time. That goal is to become a certified yoga teacher.

I started doing yoga many years ago, and, girls, I love it.

I love the way it makes me feel so

flexible,
healthy,
strong,
centered.

Am I still aging? 

Yes.

Do I sometimes catch a glimpse of a neck in a mirror and wonder whose it is?  And take a big gulp when I realize it is mine? 

Yes.

But I am stronger now than I was 10 years ago.

I breathe deeply.

I appreciate my body, wrinkles and all.

During Old Testament times, God dwelled in the temple, in the Holy of Holies. The high priest would enter that holy place once a year to offer a sacrifice for the sins of the people. 

All that changed when Jesus (the perfect sacrifice) died on the cross, rose from the grave, and returned to His Father. Now the Holy Spirit lives in the people who have accepted the free gift HE offers to all.

That makes US the TEMPLE.

I don't know about you, but that blows my mind! 

I want to take care of my temple, and yoga helps me to do that.

When I began my search for a yoga certification program, I discovered that in most of them I would be required to do lots of reading that did not agree with the Bible.

At first, I thought I would just do the reading and move on. After all, I have been a Christian for years, and I know what the Bible says. I would be all right, wouldn't I?

However, I just didn't have any peace about it, so I kept looking. 

That is when I discovered Holy Yoga. This style of yoga combines the movement of yoga with worship.  Our text books included the Bible, the truth. This sounded like the perfect fit for me.

I am almost finished with my 225 hour training. After our week long retreat, I will take the certification test and begin teaching the students that God has been preparing for me. 

I may not be able to do a wheel pose yet, but yoga has taught me if I keep at it, there is hope! 


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Kind of sounds like a physical metaphor of our spiritual journey, doesn't it?

How about you? Are any of you yoga practitioners?


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16 comments:

  1. I am big fan of yoga and have been doing it for years
    I have never heard of Holy Yoga
    Going to go click on the website right now
    I am intrigued!
    Brett

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  2. Yes, I've been doing basic yoga for a few years now and I love it. Who knew that just your body and the mat could be so hard!? ha ha! My instructor recently attended a christian based training so I'll ask her if this is the same. Thanks for sharing!

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  3. I think that is a great thing for you to do!! I wish I could be in your classes, too!
    I went 4-5 times last year for the first time ever, LOVED it but parking at the university is impossible which is why I stopped.
    Keep meaning to get a dvd or do some from Youtube :)

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  4. How beautiful Susan! I have never heard of Holy Yoga before but boy does that make sense! There is a health club at the hospital where I delivered my beans. I like it because it is a nice mix of people. I used to take a yoga class there with an instructor who was a really great teacher...needless to say I haven't found the time to go back yet. If you were in the area I would take your class! Congratulations on setting out to not only accomplish a goal but to do God's work in the process! Wow! And the fact that you feel stronger now then you did 10 years ago is just awesome!

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  5. MERCY, woman...if, at age 75, I tried that, I would surely break in half...:))

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  6. I have never tried yoga but I have always wanted to give it a go. I have heard of Holy Yoga but there is no classes anywhere here at all- xo Diana

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  7. I've only tried yoga a couple of times....but you have made me want to try it again!

    blessings,
    karianne

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  8. I have never done Yoga and am afraid if I did it now, I would break in half! Holy yoga sounds interesting!

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  9. I would love to learn to do Yoga, but I've been reluctant to pursue that because of the teachings that are contrary to the Truth. Now that I know about Holy Yoga, I need to investigate that.

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  10. I would like to take a yoga class again to improve my flexibility. I took a prenatal yoga when I was pregnant with my first child and it was great. I need to take one again! Thanks for following my blog. I am now your newest follower! XO, Jill

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  12. Oh, I've tried yoga as part of my workout regimen, but I found it very difficult. My old body just didn't want to twist & flex...I gave up. I really should give it a chance.
    Holy Yoga? Yay!
    Congrats on almost finishing your training. You'll make a great instructor!

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  13. More off than on but I do love yoga and need to be more on. Lately, I've been treating my body more like a tent than a temple. That needs to change.

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  14. Hi Susan, love your post. So glad to know there is a yoga study touched by the Bible. Congrats on your upcoming certification. Blessings and smiles, Emilou :-)

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  15. I love yoga - makes me feel so good. I struggled with doing it, because of the teachings often associated, but use a DVD or TV program and just mute the talking and play my own worship music. God created our bodies to move! You have a nice blog - glad I found you form Imparting Grace!

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  16. I just love yoga! It keeps me flexible, releases stress-tightened muscle tissue, calms me so much that I have been known to snoring. At the same time, and almost surprisingly, it increases my pulse rate, firms without harming, and creates muscle tissue. Yoga exercises require very little investment in consistent and equipment. I have employed positions at home to reduce symptoms including firm neck, frustration, painful muscle tissue, abdominal problems and insomnia."
    SchoolYogaInstitute.com

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XOXO Susan