Holy Yoga -- A Worship Experience

Last semester a yoga instructor gave a lecture in my World Religions class along with a yoga sequence. That small introduction to yoga planted a desire to try it out in my mind; however, I was reluctant, because 1) I had never before tried yoga and was afraid I would be terrible and look silly, and 2) I was unsure that I would be able to find a yoga studio that I felt comfortable with considering that many studios have a big focus on the religious side of things.

I did a little research, though, and found something called Holy Yoga, which Holy Yogis describe as "100% Jesus - 100% Yoga." I decided to go to a class (and forced my apartment mates to go along with me because I was a chicken) and found a seriously deep love for this practice immediately. No other place have I felt such a deep realization that I am loved exactly as I am -- literally right now as I set here writing this, a completely sinful human being, I am loved beyond measure. The session usually begins with a short "Bible study" like talk that the instructor gives, which much of the time focuses on loving yourself as you are, coming to the feet of Jesus as you are, and recognizing that worry, stress, self-loathing, and anxiety are not helpful things in overcoming trials in your life and in moving forward to being a better follower of Christ or having a closer relationship with our Creator.

I have only been practicing a few months, but already feel a calling to pursue this practice further, and maybe even look into becoming certified myself one day. We as Christians often hear that we should be worshipping the Lord in everything we do, and HY has truly helped me gain a more broad perspective on that -- not only every action we do and thing we say should be in worship to the Lord, but the very movement of our bodies can be an act of worship.

A big part of the experience in HY is that the practice is often accompanied by worship music, so I have compiled a short list of worship songs that I really enjoy listening to as I practice!

Power Flow

• Come Thou Fount -- Kings Kaleidoscope
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0wRw-dbmy8
• Forever -- Kari Jobe
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huFra1mnIVE
• In Christ Alone -- Kings Kaleidoscope
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4FBLH5n6IU
• Manifesto -- The City Harmonic
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_6JQDsbtlM
• Pieces -- Andrew Belle
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6S6g3pEw8uU
• Heart Beats -- Johnnyswim
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yhg-kycwLnE

Restorative Flow

• How Deep the Father's Love -- Kings Kaleidoscope
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1aeehlfpr4
• Oceans -- Hillsong
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1m_sWJQm2fs
• Shady Grove -- Takénobu
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YyjZ1_4c_bk
• You Know Me -- Bethel Music & Steffany Frizzell Gretzinger
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVVlMQved8k
• Jesus Paid It All -- Kings Kaleidoscope
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wM6ZtLnRBTk
• How He Loves -- Will Reagan & Laura Hackett
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZU5tA3x8MQ

Here's to a healthier mind, body, and soul. 

HG