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Christ-centered yoga is a wonderful practice that helps Christians grow stronger in their faith as they strengthen their bodies, calm their minds, and spread the love of Jesus in the community. It is especially beneficial for mature Christians over 50. Four reasons why are outlined here and in the video above.

1) The practice of Christ-centered yoga is like inviting The Holy Spirit in to exercise with you! While you may enjoy different types of exercise in your life, perhaps your focus has been, like mine, on burning calories and losing weight. While gyms are great, they are not known to be places where we go to feel the presence of God! Perhaps you also have found that past exercise programs were difficult to stick with long-term.

By inviting The Holy Spirit into your fitness, he will be right there with you as your advocate. Invite him in, and he will help you!

2) Christ-centered yoga invites you to be mindfully present with each other, and with God. Are you concerned about the state of Christianity today? Like me, are you saddened by the divisiveness between people (even Christians), and the hopelessness that results? More and more young people are seeing this and leaving the faith. However, many people are attracted to yoga, and have benefitted greatly from it.

Yoga is about self-acceptance and peace. It involves calming our nervous systems and gaining self-control. The divisiveness so prevalent in our world today seems to melt away as we practice together on our mats!

3) Christ-centered yoga is gentler on the body than many other types of fitness, making it ideal for older practitioners. While there are many types of yoga, from extremely gentle to very challenging, you are sure to find the right class for you if you ask. Yoga teachers are there to serve their students' needs. They can help you find the class that is perfect for you, at your present fitness level. If you cannot, or do not wish to get up and down from the floor, then chair yoga is always an option.

4) Yoga is a practice, not a religion. Some call it a spiritual discipline. It is important to acknowledge that the roots of yoga come from Southeast Asia, and that it began before Christianity. It has evolved and changed very much since its beginnings.

While some yogic philosophy does not agree with Christianity, I believe much of it does. As a Christ-centered yoga teacher, I look for and teach the intersections between yogic philosophy and Biblical principles. After all, the meaning of the word yoga is "unite" or "yoke." I believe that the practice of Christ-centered yoga can help unite us as Christians, and encourage us to spread the love of Jesus to others.

Christ-centered yoga is not the entire solution for our world's problems, but it can be a part of it! I know that it can be of great benefit to you - physically, mentally, and spiritually. In Matthew 5, verse 9, Jesus declared "blessed are the peacemakers," and it is my hope and prayer that you will be blessed as you practice Christ-centered yoga and share this peaceful practice with others.

Susan VanMeakins has been teaching Christ-centered yoga for over three years and grew up immersed in Christian teachings as a “preacher’s kid” and throughout adulthood in several denominations. She was inspired to teach fitness from a Christian perspective by Alisa Keeton, founder of Revelation Wellness, and Christian spiritual disciplines by Adele Ahlberg Calhoun, author of The Spiritual Disciplines Handbook. Susan studied yoga with Kristin Gibowicz, owner and lead trainer of Living Soul Institute, and graduated from their 200-hour YTT in January 2021. She is currently in the process of obtaining her 500-hour master’s level yoga teacher certification. She specializes in teaching gentle yoga on a mat or in a chair, combined with Christian spiritual disciplines, Biblical scripture readings, and prayer.

YOGA & FITNESS DISCLAIMER Yoga provides great benefits, but only you know your own body and limits. Like any exercise, please consult your health care professional with any questions or concerns before starting any exercise program. When participating in any exercise or exercise program, there is the possibility of physical injury. Not all exercises in our videos are suitable for all persons. Susan VanMeakins and Christ-centered Yoga Reflections, which includes all videos, classes, programs, marketing materials, and all accompanying materials are not liable for any injury, accident, or health impairment befalling and viewer of these programs, or any individual utilizing the techniques suggested in this video. Susan VanMeakins as Christ-centered Yoga Reflections is not a licensed medical care provider and represents that it has no expertise in diagnosing, examining, or treating medical conditions of any kind, or in determining the effect of any specific exercise on a medical condition. Susan VanMeakins as Christ-centered Yoga Reflections makes no representations or warranties with regards to the completeness of information on this website or any linked websites, classes, books, videos, apps, or other products represented herein.