Finding the intersection of the 8 limbs of yoga and Jesus.

Finding Common Ground

There is so in the world that seems to be more similar than different. But you would never know that. With all the “us” versus “them” talk, especially in our toxic politcal administration, it can be easy to circle your own wagons and keep “others” on the porch, in the cold, away from the table, and any other metaphor you see fit to include. However you dice it, individualism has created canyons of separation without any understanding of why.

A Differnt Perspective on Faith

But that’s not how I relate to or interpret the teachings of Jesus. To me, the lessons of the Bible—despite cultural, allegorical, time-specific, and even mistranslated aspects—boil down to a few core principles: loving yourself as the unique being you are, loving others for their uniqueness, and embodying the Hands and Feet of Jesus on Earth. This approach fosters love, empathy, acceptance, and unity, helping to nurture future generations to do the same.

My Journey into Yoga

I began practicing yoga as a newly depressed postpartum mother. After my second son was born, I struggled to see beyond my own darkness. I limped onto a mat at my local gym, left my newborn in daycare, and sobbed for 90 minutes every Tuesday and Thursday. My teacher, Barbara, became a gentle ambassador, offering a salve for my wounds. Through yoga, I discovered healing that filled the empty spaces within me and helped me embrace a more loving self-image. This practice became my refuge, a time dedicated to loving myself, and through that love, I began to hear the voice of God more clearly. What started as an escape from my home evolved into a profound journey of self-acceptance and devotion.

I was raised in a very singular view of Christain religion, denouncing all others. At best, other religions were mis-guided, and at worst, blasphemous. So when I started to study yoga philosophy 8 years after my first sob-session on my mat, I felt the pain of discord running through me. If yoga was a faith, would I be betraying God? If yoga was from a Middle Eastern culture, how had my whiteness created negative connotations without understanding? If yoga was just for fitness, why were there ancient texts, mantras and practices dating back centuries?

Over time, and with a more mature grasp on my relationship with God, I saw intersections of yoga as a lifestyle and faith as a practice. To reverse that, I also saw yoga as a pratice and my faith as a lifestyle.

Creating Community

I started planning small weekend retreats for women like myself – almost 40, not super bendy or enthusiastic about being upside down, and who wanted to be curious about how the 8 limbs of yoga could create a lasting peace, calm and self-acceptance without jeopardizing faith. In no time, I held 7 retreats in less than 2 years and the group of women who were drawn to Living Your Yoga showed up to bind together their faith and their practice.

So how do you begin?

So, how do you start? Here are a few steps to consider:

1. Embrace Curiosity Curiosity is a beautiful part of being human! God doesn’t expect blind loyalty. He gifted us with inquisitive minds, and asking questions can lead to enriching conversations with Him.
2. Stay Open to Others Remember, you don’t know what you don’t know! Your perspective is unique but not the only one. Just because someone does things differently doesn’t make them wrong; it simply makes them different. Embrace these differences and listen to their stories.
3. Practice Non-Attachment This truth resonates in both the Bible and the Bhagavad Gita. Accepting the present moment without anxiety about the future or clinging to the past allows your nervous system to practice non-attachment. With this mindset, your breath becomes easier, your body experiences less tension, and your perspective shifts toward peace.
4. Read, Talk, Research, and Be Open to Change True wisdom involves allowing growth when presented with new information. Just like yoga poses feel different from day to day, allow yourself the space to evolve and embrace the unknown.

How to learn more:

A great resource to start is a local studio, but also books. My second, great love is reading and I highly recommend these reference guides:

The Yoga of Jesus – Understanding the Hidden Teachings of the Gospels by Paramahansa Yogananda

Holy Listening with Breath, Body and the Spirit by Whitney R. Simpson

Also, keep checking back as I start a new series that dissects each limb of yoga and helps apply real-world application for your faith, your life and your relationship to self and others.

Join the Conversation
If you’ve embarked on this journey before, I would love to hear from you! Please leave a comment with any insights or truths you’ve discovered as a Christian Yogi. We have more in common than what separates us, and I look forward to building this community together!