Staying Present through Stressful Times

Not sure about you, but I think our “stress dial” has been turned up. Whether we’re stressed about money, jobs, politics or just the day-to-day, it’s easy to get caught up in re-thinking and stewing about the past or worrying about and fretting over the future.

A longtime friend and yoga client reminded me yesterday that yoga provides such great life lessons when we’re in uncertain times.  In a yoga class, the teacher reminds the students to stay mindful and present in that moment, that particular pose vs. thinking about how well or not-so-well you did the last pose…vs. what pose is next, whether the person next to you will be better in that pose… You might laugh as you read this, of course those thoughts seem silly in a yoga class.  In class, we’re reminded to stay in the moment also for safety.  Staying mindful as we stretch tight hamstrings keeps us from zoning out and pushing ourselves too far to injury.

So what about life? It’s more difficult to translate this “be mindful & present” to the hard work of relationships, the job you dread, the uncertainty of provision, health, safety…you name it. So what do we do? We do what’s right before us. We stay in this day, this moment — doing what we’re called to do, need to do, asked to do…without looking behind or racing ahead.

As a Christian, it’s in these uncertain, crazy moments of life, that I’m reminded, humbled that I’m really not in control.  But someone bigger than, beyond me, is.  It’s really not all about me – and I find great comfort in that.

In those moments, when we’re tempted to climb the spiral of “what if this happens,” if we choose to breathe and just be aware of where we are, we’ll see things that normally we’re too busy or distracted to notice. Maybe inspiration, maybe a big ah-ha (or little one), maybe just some stillness & peace…because right now, we’re right here and that’s ok.

Christian Yoga – An Introduction

I teach two types of yoga – Demystified Yoga(TM) and Christian Yoga. When I first began teaching yoga and wanting to offer these two complementary, yet different classes, I worried that this would be confusing to my clients and potential clients.   Will they think I’m duplicitous in my teaching?  A very wise friend offered me this piece of advice: If you genuinely present who you are, then the right people will come to you (or something like that – it sounded more Yoda-like than what I’m recalling here.)

There is actually a growing movement of other folks like me who are Christians and also greatly appreciate the many benefits yoga offers.  To learn more, check out www.christianspracticingyoga.com or google “Christian Yoga” to see other offerings.  Some think these two things – Christianity and Yoga –  cannot co-exist, but I’m hoping to share some thoughts that might offer an alternative view.

First, I can only speak to my own philosophies and beliefs, and comment on the Christian Yoga classes I teach and have taken. There are many out there – and I’m sure the variety of class format, doctrine and teachers are as different as the many traditional yoga styles offered today.

I retain the aspects of Yoga that are so beneficial to our health and well-being: the physical poses/exercises and the breathing & concentration exercises and I leave out everything else “Yoga”.  The mystical images, mythological gods and goddesses, sanskrit pose names, chanting in Sanskrit – all gone.  And instead our focus is on Christ.  Rather than looking inward to find a power or enlightenment within ourselves, we look inward to be still, and know that He is God (Ps. 46:10).  We don’t clear our mind to empty – but we attempt to let go of worries, preoccupations, negative, destructive thoughts that block our connection, our intimacy with God.

Christian Yoga is just one tool to worship and draw near to God – there are many: labyrinth walks, bible studies, corporate worship, prayer time.  Once our body is relaxed from the gentle movement of the poses, we’re able to be still and relaxed – and allow God to work in us – instead of our constant striving, doing, thinking.  Sometimes it’s just a matter of allowing ourselves to get out of the way. Just being in silent stillness and letting go.

In a typical Christian Yoga class, we breathe, move and stretch.  Each week, I read about 6 scripture verses interwoven throughout the class based on a particular theme.  Hope, Waiting on God, Love, Perseverance are examples of themes. At the end of class, during Relaxation Time, I read a longer passage and invite participants to reflect on the verses read and what it means to them that day, that moment.  Or, sometimes I read a brief verse several times and invite the class to meditate on the words, and focus their hearts and minds on God.

If you have questions about Christian Yoga or would like to tell us about a Christian Yoga class you’ve experienced/enjoyed in your area, leave us a line.