Maybe that will be me someday? I found a new way to worship this week! When I was up north, my sister-in-law and I had some fun with Yoga, so I decided to take a class when I got home. My first class was Tuesday night and I was disappointed at the level of difficulty compared to what my S-I-L put me through. That was, until the next morning when I couldn't move! I think I used some muscles I never knew I had. I took my second class tonight.
I realized during the "practice" there were a lot of words I had never heard of and I could tell everyone else in the class was familiar with them. I felt like an outsider. I couldn't understand what they were saying. I made it my mission to follow their every move.
These were some of what they were saying... "Adho Mukha Svanasana" (Downward Facing Dog), "Bhujangasana" (cobra), "Savasana "(corpse), just to name a few. We did the "corpse" at the end. The instructor (I think that's what they are called) told us that it's the most difficult "pose" for a lot of people because there is nothing to "do" during the pose. Apparently the aim of this pose is to keep our body lying totally motionless while being aware of the experience of our whole mind and body.
Psalm 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
I'm not sure if I did the "practice" the right way. I found myself distracted a lot of the time. When I felt like a foreigner, it made me wonder if people understand the words Christians say ("salvation, born-again, saved, called, personal savior"... to name a few)? Do they get it? Do they feel like an outsider? Are we inviting them to come along side of us and learn that He is the Only One to follow?
I think I'm going to enjoy this new way of worship. I pray, we as Christians can be aware of the people we meet along the way and realize they may not understand us. Let's be people who seek to keep Him simple and make everyone feel welcome to join us on our "journey"!
I'm so Thankful this Thursday for a new way to worship!
Much love,
Angie xoxo
11 comments:
We're looking forward to the time you post your pic in a contorted position which makes us want to take an Advil or 2.
Have a great weekend.
Yoga or Christian vernacular, foreign words alienate others. Good reminder to be about making others feel welcome to our faith not isolated and alone. Loving the music still. Love to you, Annette
Great reminder about the Christian words. I don't always think about that, but I sure will now.
By the way, thank you for your invite to join your group in the online reading. You have such a great ability to make people feel comfortable and welcome. Thank you!
Hugs,
Nicole
My goodness the woman in that picture looks really uncomfortable - yikes
I am so impressed that you even tried yoga
I loved what God revealed to you while you were meditating on His Word :)
God is so good :)
Love ya
Kim
Great post.
Hi Ang..
Lol I wonder if I can do that pose when I get to the advance yoga!! NOT!!
I just started taking Yoga as well but I'm doing beginners called Simple Yoga, 20 minutes. I needed to try it especially to relax a lil before bedtime.
You have given me something to ponder tonight.
Hugz Lorie
Ang,
I love the analogy of the yoga terms and the words we use as Christians. I have a friend who is not a believer and when I talk to her about my faith - I have seen the look on her face - the look that says "I have no idea what you are talking about - what these words mean" I pray she someday will want to know!
I love yoga - it's a great compliment to my cycling and helps stretch out those muscles that tighten up. I am so thankful that there are others who put a Christian perspective to yoga. It can be very "wordly" and about self! I for one love corpse pose - cause I know it's the end of the work out. Tree pose is my fav!
Enjoy your workouts... yoga is awesome.
You are a blessing to me!
We have a friend from my husband's work that has started coming to church with us. He is from Mexico, but speaks fluent English and has no difficulty communicating. I can't imagine, however, coming to a place where it was all new, different, and strange terms. Your post has caused me to really think about that. It definately causes me to see the need to pray all the more ferverently for the Holy Spirit to uncover his eyes and work in his heart~
What great thoughts Angie!
I am amzed at the balance that gal has...I would be a Yoga instructors nightmare!
Have a great weekend!
I LOVE finding messages from God in unexpected places. I'm going to have to try "Worship Yoga" (hey, do you think we are on to something there? I can just see this new exercise sweeping the nation!).
Meanwhile my muscles are still recovering from "barbell strength" class at the gym. I told Quin, "my arms feel like noodles." and he said, "my arms feel like pork chops!" LOL I just love my little guy!!
Have a great weekend...
True story....the one and only time I did yoga (about 6 years ago) I did something to my hip that to this day gives me fits. I'm scared to try it again for fear it will render me crippled for the rest of my life.
That is very true, Angie, about our Christian words that may be very foreign to unbelievers. If ever with a known unbeliever, I try to say relationship with Christ instead of saved or born again. Though, I admit my outward conversation of "evangelizing" are far and few between...fearful of making another feel inferior or uncomfortable.
I second the motion, I wanna see your yoga pic like the one you posted.
Love ya,
Paula
Post a Comment