Meet me on the Mat
by Christina Bledsoe
Do you have a hobby or activity that brings you instant peace? Is there a place you can go where your body relaxes and the troubles of the day fade away? More importantly, do you have an activity or location where you feel the presence of God and know with certainty you will hear His voice?
Each Monday at 6:30pm, a group of 15-20 women gather in a room at our church, find empty spaces on the floor, unroll yoga mats and wait. During the next 45-50 minutes, we will stretch, balance, breathe and expectantly wait for the voice of the One who knows us best.
Google “What is a Holy Yoga?” and be prepared for contradictions and some rather un-Christ like comments. Critics of Holy Yoga argue that yoga is an eastern, cult-like religion with roots in Hinduism while the definition on HolyYoga.net states: “Holy Yoga embraces the essential elements of yoga: breath work, meditation and physical postures. In each of these elements, Christ is the focus of our intention and worship.”
We can all agree that yoga isn’t mentioned in the Bible, but I hope we can also agree that God created each one of us for relationship with Him. And, if our bodies are temples, an activity that honors our body and sets our intentions on relationship with our Creator is an act of worship.
I did not immediately connect with holy yoga. I am not athletic, often have trouble focusing and regularly trip over my own feet. So, when a woman in my life group introduced herself as a holy yoga instructor and extended an invitation, I pictured myself twisted up like a pretzel, huffing and puffing, while the other participants silently judged me.
The picture in my head could not have been further from reality. When I arrived at Holy Yoga, the room was dimly lit, but not dark, and worship music was playing softly in the background. I found an empty spot on the floor, rolled out my mat and waited. I was intimidated by my lack of yoga experience, but I had been promised I only needed to try and if it wasn’t for me, I would never have to return.
Guess what? The girl who was usually picked last for any sport in gym class and had zero hand eye coordination liked yoga. I more than liked yoga, I loved yoga. I felt at home on my mat. My thighs that I so often criticized for being more like tree trunks gave me balance. My core, which was thicker than I’d like, was stronger than I imagined. Sure, I didn’t know the names of all the poses, but the instructor gave simple directions that allowed my body to move and stretch in ways that made me feel strong and able.
As my body learned yoga, my brain and my soul focused on using the body God created to worship Him. During intentional pauses throughout each class, the instructor offers Scripture and devotions that point students to God. If there is a pose that is uncomfortable, you are reminded that yoga shouldn’t hurt and an alternative stretch or simple breathwork is encouraged.
Breathwork has been a game changer for me and it’s incredibly simple. Let me teach you:
Choose your favorite name for God: Abba, El Roi, Father, Friend of Sinners, Jehovah Jireh, Yahweh...
Choose your favorite attribute for God: always present, always loving, never failing, kind, generous, true...
Step #1: Breathe in for 4 counts, focusing on your favorite name for God.
Step #2: Breathe out for 4 counts, focusing on your favorite attribute of God.
The beauty of breathwork is you can do it anywhere. On countless occasions, I've felt anger rise or frustration begin to form, and I will stop myself.
Breathe in 4 counts: Abba.
Breathe out 4 counts: the One who never leaves.
It’s not instant, it takes discipline and practice, but a spiritual discipline that aligns your body, mind and spirit is worth consideration.
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Here’s what I want you to do: 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.
Matthew 6:6 (MSG)
