YogaVeritas.com
Melisa
Darby is a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) with Yoga Alliance and teaches
a style of yoga called Power Yoga in the Washington DC area and at
a local DC area studio.
How Yoga Deepened My Relationship with Christ
I have been Catholic my entire life, graduating with a Humanities and Catholic Culture degree in 1997. In January 2003, I took my first Power Vinyasa Flow Yoga class. It was the spiritual element I had known and recognized my entire life, but on a more deep, personal, nurturing level. For me, this practice brought my faith to life and my relationship to Christ is more personal as a result. I believe ultimately, yoga is about not only transforming, but mostly about healing. Healing not just of the body, but more importantly of the mind and spirit, bringing spirituality into a more whole place. This practice shows you your gifts. This is what yoga continues to do for me in a very direct, active, powerful way.
In my experience, many Christians shy away from yoga claiming the spirituality and philosophy of yoga does not coincide with Christianity. I love the Catholic faith and I have directly experienced God’s healing and grace through my yoga practice. I feel called to share what I have known with other women like me and there are many Christians who are skeptical.
How Yoga Deepened My Relationship with Christ
I have been Catholic my entire life, graduating with a Humanities and Catholic Culture degree in 1997. In January 2003, I took my first Power Vinyasa Flow Yoga class. It was the spiritual element I had known and recognized my entire life, but on a more deep, personal, nurturing level. For me, this practice brought my faith to life and my relationship to Christ is more personal as a result. I believe ultimately, yoga is about not only transforming, but mostly about healing. Healing not just of the body, but more importantly of the mind and spirit, bringing spirituality into a more whole place. This practice shows you your gifts. This is what yoga continues to do for me in a very direct, active, powerful way.
In my experience, many Christians shy away from yoga claiming the spirituality and philosophy of yoga does not coincide with Christianity. I love the Catholic faith and I have directly experienced God’s healing and grace through my yoga practice. I feel called to share what I have known with other women like me and there are many Christians who are skeptical.
I have learned
that one's practice is SO AFFECTED by the approach to it. Being relaxed and
receptive to the unexpected, the unknown I find is the hardest part. Letting go
of my own need to feel comfortable and confident seems, for me, too hard, too
much!! I think ultimately its about trust, and one's capability to let go and
trust depends on how willing they are to go beyond the way they know themselves
right now and how willing am I to change? Yoga brings up active, real questions
that get me connected and in touch with what is really going on inside of me.
This awareness enables me to listen to and act on the voice of God more
clearly.
I realize that the only way to truly transform is by adding an element of “good” pain, to sweat, focus, breathe through it all and break through self-imposed boundaries. “Pick up your cross and follow me”. To me, there are so many connections between Christianity and the spiritual “lights” I discover in yoga. It is my desire and ambition to somehow connect the two and then to teach to those Christians who are afraid of yoga.
I believe I am onto something that could be very beneficial for those who confuse the word “religion” for fear, fear of the unknown, fear of what they might become, fear of becoming who they really are- which is who God wants them to be.
I realize that the only way to truly transform is by adding an element of “good” pain, to sweat, focus, breathe through it all and break through self-imposed boundaries. “Pick up your cross and follow me”. To me, there are so many connections between Christianity and the spiritual “lights” I discover in yoga. It is my desire and ambition to somehow connect the two and then to teach to those Christians who are afraid of yoga.
I believe I am onto something that could be very beneficial for those who confuse the word “religion” for fear, fear of the unknown, fear of what they might become, fear of becoming who they really are- which is who God wants them to be.
"Our body is a cenacle, a monstrance: through its crystal
the world should see God." - Saint Gianna Molla
After corresponding with a Hindu
professor of Yoga Philosophy and Spirituality, I do not think it is appropriate
to call a yoga practice "Christian Yoga", "Catholic Yoga", "Jewish Yoga" or any
other title. Yoga is what it is- its Yoga. Its roots are Hindu. That being said,
I would like to share what the above mentioned professor shared with
me:"...Yoga is a Universal spiritual practice which, in spite of its undeniable Hindu roots,can be practiced and experienced at deep mental and spiritual levels by all peoples. After all, according to the Darshana Philosophy, it is the instrument by which the Ultimate Reality can be attained. Yoga meets each of us at our physical and mental, religious and spiritual levels regardless of where and what they may be. It does not require, or coerce anyone to change their religious faiths or belief systems. What true sacred wisdom tradition does? Your consciousness as it is broadened and heightened as a result of Yoga, begins the process of evolving and transforming, so that your inner centre shines true."
He went on to say:"Yoga has been generously shared with the global family of the world by the Yogic Seers, to whom this precious knowledge was revealed in states of Samadhi. They never attempted to convert or be converted by those who came to seek this knowledge, because this tradition sees everyone as a spark of divinity! Why then would anyone want to convert or label Yoga other than what it already is? Perhaps “hypocrisy” and “insincerity” are mild expletives."
As for me, yoga has taught me alot
about acceptance of myself as well as people of other faiths and religions. I
respect what he has shared with me and I believe we can learn alot from
listening with an open heart and
mind.