The Intersection of Faith and Yoga: How Yoga Complements Christian Spirituality
Psalm 46:10 reminds us, “Be still and know that I am God.” But how often do we pause in our busy lives? The practice of yoga forces us to be still which cultivates Christian spirituality!
If you’re anything like me, you wake up to an unfinished to-do list from yesterday. After that first cup of coffee, it’s a sprint to keep up with everything on your plate!
Just the other day, a man walked into my yoga class and candidly shared that he was too busy to be there, yet he felt the need to escape his own racing thoughts. This sentiment perfectly illustrates how yoga can complement our Christian faith.
Yoga provides us with a dedicated space to pause and be still. It encourages us to breathe deeply and to momentarily silence the endless stream of thoughts that occupy our minds. While it can be challenging to stop thinking entirely, focusing on our breath allows us to become more aware of God’s presence in our lives. This practice resonates deeply with Jesus’ teaching on prayer.
In Matthew 6:6 (The Message), Jesus says, “Find a quiet, secluded place so you won’t be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace.” When we cultivate stillness and quiet, stepping away from our constant planning and worrying, we create space to recognize God’s grace.
This is just one of the ways yoga can enhance Christian spirituality, and there’s so much more to explore! If you’re seeking that
space to pause and be still, I invite you to check out my book, Moving Meditations. Designed to fit into your busy life, it takes just 5-10 minutes a day to help you foster stillness and create meaningful change.
Let’s embrace the practice of stillness together!
