Christian Yoga DVD

What Yoga Is…and What it Isn’t

There are a number of individuals interested in yoga who don’t approve of the Eastern influence incorporated into the practice.

It’s important to note that while yoga does have Asiatic and Indian roots, each yoga instructor develops a unique routine. Respected yoga instructors stress that yoga is not a replacement for religion. Rather, it is a complement to an individual’s pursuit of a whole body, mind, and spirit connection, as well as good physical fitness. Practicing yoga doesn’t mean someone becomes part of a cult, although that’s a common misconception.

Susan Bordenkircher, author of Yoga for Christians: A Christ-Centered Approach to Physical and Spiritual Health discovered that of the average 15 million people who practice yoga, approximately 50 percent have a church background.

Improving Body, Mind, and Spirit

Just as there are myriad interpretations of the Bible, there are thousands of yoga instructors who present yoga in a variety of ways. It’s an individual’s responsibility to determine what is right for him or her.

While some instructors may talk more about “reaching a higher consciousness”, others will simply reference the importance of listening to your body, responding to it, and taking care of it, following the universal principle that “the body is a temple”. This might be interpreted as a temple to receive God, as well as physical responsibility to keep your body pure and well-conditioned.

Keeping an Open Mind

It’s important to attend a yoga class, since learning directly from an instructor is the best way to achieve proper form and avoid injury. Most people are surprised to discover that there is less of a focus on “new age” aspects than they were led to believe.

Obviously, the yoga class or instructor you select will make a big difference in the style and approach. A private yoga studio, for example, will reflect more of the beliefs and style of the studio's founder. However, it is highly unlikely that an afternoon yoga class featured at a suburban YMCA will be Hindu Yoga, one of the many forms of yoga found in India but rarely practiced in the U.S., the United Kingdom, and Canada. There are two reasons for this:

• The Westernization of yoga reduced much of the influence of marginalized styles like these.
• The YMCA has its own prevailing mission, and would not allow such a yoga style to be offered to its members.

The Physical Benefits Are The Same

The movement of yoga inspires better health, and everyone seems to agree that the benefits of yoga are worth achieving in a manner with which you’re most comfortable. These include:

• Increased flexibility
• Reduced stress
• Improved circulation
• Greater range of motion
• Better breathing

Christian Yoga DVD Options

Many of the new Christian yoga DVDs on the market today feature a foundational yoga practice, like Hatha Yoga, that is predominant in other yoga DVDs.

What’s different about yoga DVDs with faith influence is that the lead instructor or a guest will quote Biblical scripture while holding the yoga pose. There might also be a relaxation session before or after the yoga routine with a direct prayer to God or a series of devotionals. The postures are often modified, too, based on the interpretation of the instructor.

Popular options for Christian yoga DVDs include:

• Christoga: Faith in Fitness Volume I features yoga instructor Mary Cunningham and actress Janine Turner. Both demonstrate restorative yoga poses and Turner recites scripture during each posture.
• Wholy Fit is based on the Wholy Fit yoga classes taught throughout the U.S.
• Yoga Prayer by Catholic priest Thomas Ryan features a 30-minute devotional yoga practice.
• Praise Moves by Laurette Willis features a 60-minute workout and a 20-minute workout with spiritual messaging.

Christian Yoga Books

If you’d like to learn more about how yoga can enhance your overall wellbeing and your faith, try these books, too:

• Invitation to Christian Yoga by Episcopal priest Nancy Roth
• Jesus, Yoga, and The Way of Happiness: A Christian Daily Devotional by Andrea Vidrine
• Stretch and Pray: A Daily Discipline For Physical And Spiritual Wellness by Murray D. Finck