What Happens After Yoga Teacher Training?
What Happens After Yoga Teacher Training? Your Next Steps After Graduating from a YTT by Michelle Thielen As the popularity of yoga increases around the world, the demand for yoga instructors is at an all-time high. Thousands of students are investing an incredible amount of time, energy, and resources into yoga teacher training programs but are left wondering, “What on earth do I do now that I’m finished?” In general [...]
Transitioning Into the New Year With Hygge
hyg·ge [ˈho͞oɡə, ˈho͝oɡə] A quality of coziness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being. Phillipians 4:11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content in whatever the circumstances. Winter can be a struggle for many people. It's cold, it's wet, the days are shorter... Hygge, a practice of the Danish culture, is a practice that is meant [...]
Mystical Hope
People get excited about the new year. I get it. Who of us does not look forward with expectation and hope. Maybe last year wasn’t great. Even if it was wonderful, the human spirit is drawn to what a new year promises. I have never been one to make new year resolutions. I want the zero to sixty-five race to longer days and warmer weather. [...]
Fall Soap Recipe
Fall Soap Recipe Have you been enjoying this Fall? We certainly have! That's why we created this perfect fall soap recipe. The essential oil blend used here combines traditional autumn aromas with a bit of a twist. Frankincense provides a sweet and warm base while clove bud, cinnamon bark, and ginger bring that classic spicy touch that evokes the warmth of your favorite Fall baked goods. Lastly, the unique scent [...]
Vata Grounding Autumnal Butternut Buckwheat Breakfast Bowl
Autumnal Butternut Buckwheat Breakfast Bowl Autumn is the Vata time of year, enjoy this deliciously grounding meal. Pitta suggestion: Use less of or omit cinnamon. Kapha suggestion: Double buckwheat, may omit oats. 3 cups water 1/2 cup buckwheat groats (can substitute brown rice) 1/2 cup steel cut oats 1 cup butternut squash, cubed 1/4 cup craisins 1 teaspoon coconut oil, melted 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon salt Unsweetened soy milk [...]
Frequently Asked Questions from a Pioneer in Christian Yoga
Dayna is the founder of New Day Yoga, A 20-year-old Christian Yoga School out of Kennesaw, GA. She is a registered Master Trainer and School with Christian Yoga Association (R-CYAMT, R-CYAS) a yoga trainer with yoga Alliance (E-RYT) and leader of Yoga for the Christian Woman. Whether it is at one of her trainings, her group Yoga for the Christian Women, or any of her classes, you can [...]
Drenched, A Baptism of His Presence
Drenched is CYA's Annual Summit in 2023 where you'll hear from Christian Yoga Leaders, Speakers and Authors who will create sacred space for the Lord to work as they present asana, lecture, bible study and more. Come expectant and ready to be filled with an indwelling of His presence and a filling of Living Waters! SIGN UP HERE DRENCHED Schedule DRENCHED Schedule with Eastern Standard Times as well as Pacific [...]
My Journey with God and Yoga
My Journey with God and Yoga, Part I On a cold January morning with the snow on the ground, I woke up in the hotel close to where I’m working this week. I work all over the UK and Eire so this is just another hotel room wake-up. I stretched my toes to the end of the bed, tensed my legs, hips, stomach, arms and gritted my teeth for about [...]
The Rocks Cry Out
Who is the True God except the Eternal? Who stands like a rock except our God? The True God who encircled me with strength and made my pathway straight. Psalm 18:31-32 Excerpt from The Rocks Cry Out by Jody Thomae, available on Amazon: "When the Pharisees told Jesus to make his disciples stop crying out in worship as he entered Jerusalem on a donkey, he replied, “I tell you, if these [worshipers] [...]
Our Favorite Yoga Mats
#1 Manduka Pro Series Christian Yoga Association’s Favorite Yoga Mats by Michelle A. Thielen, Registered CYA Therapist, R-CYATH One of the most frequently asked questions of yoga teachers is, “What is your favorite mat?” Because we often communicate with the greatest yogis in the world, we wanted to share their favorites directly with you. We took a poll among the [...]
10 Tips For Creating Your Best Playlists
10 Tips For Creating Your Best Playlists By Kristen Campbell, with ChristiansDoYoga.com Click on the image to get your {free} PDF Download of this article. Music has a way of reaching our souls like nothing else can. I get feedback all the time from my students about how they love my playlists! Honestly, building playlists is one of my favorite things to do. Sometimes I even build the playlist before [...]
FULFILLING YOUR CALLING IN EVERY ASSIGNMENT
“God, how did I get here?” I sat in my car, weeping, after witnessing a young girl graduate as valedictorian. This young girl lived in our Hope House— our safe house for minors who were victims of sex trafficking. I was one of the only ones sitting in that crowd who knew the significance of this moment. Three years earlier, this girl was a victim, but now she was a [...]
Bible Passages Regarding Physical Fitness
Free PDF Available Your Temple Deuteronomy 32:15 “But Jeshurun grew fat; you grew fat, stout, and sleek; then he forsook God who made him and scoffed at the Rock of his salvation. Proverbs 4:20-22 My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart. For they are life to those who find [...]
Sewing Seeds of Grace
“A seed doesn’t struggle to become a tree. It simply unfolds in grace.” (Chopra) Everything a tree needs to become a tree: grand, enriched with life-giving nutrients, and full of color—is inside the seed. The tree doesn’t have to strive to reach its fullest potential. Everything needed for growth is present in the seed long before it breaks open, travels through the dark unknown, and bursts through the soil. This [...]
Hurry Up To Slow Down
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger." Luke 2:16 (NIV) "Hurry up! We're going to be late to the choir concert!" "Come on guys. Help me tidy up before our guests arrive." "Is it 6 a.m. already? I gotta get to that door buster sale as soon as it opens so I don't miss out on the deals!" With the holiday [...]
A Place Where God Spoke
Abram passed through the land to the place of Shechem, as far as the terebinth tree of Moreh. And the Canaanites were then in the land. (Genesis 12:6) The very place where Abram stopped, Shechem, we find the terebinth tree of Moreh. The word for Moreh in Hebrew means “to throw, to shoot, to teach” and came to mean “a place where God spoke.” This is where God spoke [...]
Sacred Sound
This summer, my friend traveled back home to Nepal. She was kind enough to purchase an authentic, crystal singing bowl and bring it back to me. Since I was already obsessing over the sounds and benefits of these glorious bowls, I wanted to incorporate sound baths in my yoga practice. Sound therapy, with Tibetan singing bowls, is an ancient form of regeneration. The first bowls were made from an alloy [...]
RECLAIMING YOGA AS A CHRISTIAN HEALING TOOL
For real change to take place, the body needs to learn that the danger has passed and to live in the reality of the present. ~Bessel van der Kolk, MD (pioneer in the field of traumatology) in The Body Keeps the Score I have already written about my journey listening to the voice of God as I’ve explored yoga as a creative Christian practice. I also want to share another reason behind [...]
Mudras from a Christian Perspective
To receive the full 17 page PDF see here. And he laid his hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and she glorified God. Luke 13:13, ESV Mudra means “seal ”, “closure”, or “gesture” in Sanskrit. We use these gestures mostly in meditation or in pranayama practice to direct the flow of energy within the body by using the hands. If you or your students feel uncomfortable with [...]
Self Care In A Selfish World
Treat yourself. Eat whatever you want. Watch as much Netflix as you want. Do whatever you want. This is how self-care is portrayed in the media. It is self-focused and giving yourself whatever you want because you deserve it. Self-care today feeds us what we want and not what we need. True self-care is not an excuse to treat ourselves to whatever we want. This is a good thing because when we chase after what we want, [...]
The Return
The Return Published in FROM THE GARDEN, 2020 Bonnie McDaniel McClure I grew up across the street from a thirteen-acre garden plowed and planted by a single, lifetime farmer, his plow, and mule named Midnight. Mr. Freddie Crawford came from a long line of farmers. Farming was all his family had ever done for livelihood. He knew intimately the timing, care, and touch required to help something grow. He was [...]
Even Jesus Did Spring Cleaning
“On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. And as he taught them, he said, ‘Is it not written: “My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But [...]
Pray Fast Vote!
PRAY FAST VOTE The statistics are staggering. Over 15 million Christians are not registered to vote. Because we know the importance of voting, the urgency in this space and time to do so, as well as the incredible privilege that many were denied in history, this is the time to vote and make your voice known. We realize that social and political unrest have caused great tension, anxiety and even [...]
Coping with Coronavirus Anxiety
Coping with Coronavirus Anxiety John Sharp, MD Worrying about all the news on the new coronavirus and the illness it causes? Well, that makes good sense. If you’re wondering how to cope with anxious feelings that are surfacing, this blog post can guide you through steps that may be helpful to many people. If you often struggle with anxiety, worries about your health, or obsessive thoughts and actions, you might [...]
Caring for the Soul During Covid 19
LESSONS FROM PASSOVER FOR COVID-19 By Jody Thomae, April 2020 I’ve been spending a great deal of time contemplating Passover, not just because of the time of year, but also because of this world-wide health scare we call COVID-19. In 2020, Passover will be celebrated April 8-16th. It is a traditional Jewish holiday dating back to the earliest times of human history (prior to 1400 BCE) and is originally [...]
Christian Yoga Class Themes from A-Z
There seems to be a shortage of Christ centered class theme offerings, so CYA wanted to help. CYA's Michelle Thielen has contributed a wonderful 70 page booklet, covering 26 class themes to draw any practitioner or trainer closer to God. These class themes could be used as one leads others through class, as a guide for one's personal practice or a resource for bible subjects to lead a bible study, [...]
How Would Jesus Look Today?
How Would Jesus Look? Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ. 1 Corinthians 11:1 In your mind’s eye, how do you visualize the person of Christ? As an artist, how would you paint Him? Probably with a beard and a robe and sandals. We don’t know the Lord’s weight or height or facial features, but we do know something about the clothing styles of His day. But now, imagine [...]
The Sermon On The Mat
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_hKyiAephE&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR0E6TgfGj-f-c4GsmMuOcoxm9MbOp_LvtLkRaB22uTLncV2L61q87a6BF8 The Sermon on the mount summed up the way to live a life dedicated and pleasing to God; full of love, grace and wisdom. Learn how you can not only live this, but share this way of life on and off the mat. Join Founding Master Trainer Michelle Theilen, R-CYAMT, as she takes us into this beautiful message. You can participate through the VIDEO or PODCAST
To Om or Not to Om
Due to the extensive research and article, please retrieve your free PDF at YogaFaith's Store. Enjoy this potion. TO OM OR NOT TO OM by Michelle Thielen, Founder of YogaFaith In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1, KJV From the beginning, and when I say, “beginning,” I am referencing the very beginning. The first scriptures found in the [...]
Celebrating Mothers On The Mat
This is the weekend we celebrate Motherhood, a special role given by the grace of God. Motherhood taps into all that we exercise in yoga - the mind, the body and the soul. The more we yoke those elements to Christ in our daily lives, the richer the relationship between a mother and child. Come to your practice with the intentions to nourish your mind, body and soul so that, [...]
HOW WE “TREAT” TRAUMA
Standard My husband might suggest to you that I’m addicted to the BBC series Call the Midwife, and, perhaps he’s correct. I recently viewed a powerful episode that dealt with the issue of trauma, and more specifically how we “treat” those who’ve been affected by trauma, particularly in our early response to trauma. In my mind, it conjured thoughts of sterile emergency rooms and even more sterile conversations with those required to [...]
Yoga Malas, Mantras & Stones
What is a mala? A mala necklace is a string of 108 beads that are used in a meditation practice. It is a tool to help you count mantras and to act as a tactile guide. A mala has a guru bead or stone to start and end the round of mantra or meditation session and often has a tassel. The guru bead represents a space where we can [...]
Yoga Teachers And Invitational Language
I had an experience in a yin yoga class recently that has me reflecting on the power I have as the teacher in a yoga class or the practitioner in a yoga therapy session. In this class, the well intended teacher, set us up for a wonderful hip opening session. She encouraged us to find our breath, even counting the inhalation and exhalation, and then she told us to settle [...]
EMBODIED :: POSTURES OF PRAYER & PRAISE
Postures of Prayer & Praise are “outer representations of an inner reality” In Luke 10, when the lawyer stood up to put Jesus to the test, he asked him how to inherit eternal life. Like a learned rabbi, Jesus turned the question back to the lawyer, who answered: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your [...]
RECLAIMING YOGA AS A CHRISTIAN HEALING TOOL
For real change to take place, the body needs to learn that the danger has passed and to live in the reality of the present. ~Bessel van der Kolk, MD (pioneer in the field of traumatology) in The Body Keeps the Score I have already written about my journey listening to the voice of God as I’ve explored yoga as a creative Christian practice. I also want to share another reason [...]
The Four Agreements
I first saw the Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz collecting dust on a shelf at my first job at the Yoga Garden. I vaguely knew what the actual four agreements were. What I did know was that this was one of the yoga books. I would not exactly say that there is a yogic literary canon, but most people accept this book as one of the common texts for [...]
The Comparison Trap…A Distraction from Your Dharma
Psalm 139:14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com “If you’re your authentic self, you have no competition.” — author unknown Last year I was in a particularly challenging yoga class after taking several months off from any physical activity. I was especially happy that I completed the entire 75 minute class without croaking. As I [...]
{Inhale} I will lean {Exhale} into Your love.
Give thanks to the Lord for He is good, His love is constant. Psalm 107:1 I love roller coasters and water parks and I’m usually up for anything...except when it comes to rides that drop straight down. Maybe you’ve ridden the Tower of Terror at Disney’s California Adventure or the Tower of Doom at Elitches. I don’t ride these rides because I find no fun in having the floor drop [...]
Meditation and Prayer
Prayer is a huge part of the Catholic church. There are a ton of prayer practices that are recognized by the Church such asking a saint to intercede, praying a rosary, saying a novena, etc. The entire liturgical celebration is in itself a prayer. But what exactly does it mean to pray? The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) says, “Whether prayer is expressed in words or gestures, it is the whole [...]
Are You Lonesome Tonight?
“And he said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Exodus 33:14 I have this problem. Until now, I have been completely unaware of it. Here is the thing...I get up early and read my bible. Every single morning. I pray. I journal. My day begins about an hour later. The day goes on. I talk to Jesus. A lot. I talk about Jesus. A lot. But, there is something I have discovered. I [...]
Where is Your Focus? The Transformation of My Yoga Practice….
A few months ago, I was in yoga class practicing a balancing pose. Normally I find a focal point on the wall to help maintain my balance. For some reason, I became fixated on a crazy design on someone’s shirt. That person fell, and, of course, I lost my balance as well. I felt the Lord say gently to me, “If your drishti is on man, you will fall.” Drishti [...]
Strength To Serve
Does the idea of “self care” make you feel guilty? I don’t mean “self care” as in pampering yourself, buying new shoes, getting your nails done, etc. as it is often attributed to. I mean taking care of yourself and making sure your needs for sleep, rest, nourishment, and movement are met. Sometimes I still struggle with feeling guilty when I take time to rest, prioritize sleep, say “no” [...]
When You Need To Be Still
As I sit here staring at this blank computer screen, I haphazardly look over to my left. Our Christmas tree is standing there. Still. Warm. Inviting. It's hard to look away. My eyes just want to engage in the beauty of this tree. No ornaments are even hung yet. But, it doesn't matter. She is glowing with colorful lights. Inviting anyone to come and sit next to her warmth. [yes, I [...]
Restoring the Broken to Beautiful
Several years ago I embarked on a year-long project called Create-a-Day. Like a One-a-Day Vitamin, it was designed as a daily dose of creativity, in order to inspire others and to direct viewers to people and projects where creativity was making a difference in the lives of others. With the publication of my second book in the Bible Studies to Nurture the Creative Spirit Withinseries, I will again be undertaking a [...]
The Most Underrated Spiritual Discipline
We all know that we’re supposed to pray. We all have our own prayer “tactics,” such as prayer lists, prayer apps, prayer walks, prayer meetings, praying out loud, writing down our prayers, writing down the prayers we say out loud, and saying out loud prayers which have been written down. In spite of all these tactics, I believe prayer is THE MOST underrated spiritual discipline. The simple fact is, I [...]
I need a mental break, before I break.
Pause Breathe deeply.. He is taking us all somewhere - those of us who struggle with a mess in the mind.. So many names - depression, anxiety, bipolar, schizophrenic, ptsd, disorders of all sorts. We can feel alone, like no one understands. We all face these battles uniquely, it hits us all in different ways. That is why it can be so hard to find those who fully relate. I [...]
Postures of Prayer
Never stop praying. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 New Living Translation This is our commandment: to never stop praying. Pray without ceasing. There is no right or wrong way to pray; no position of a prayer is superior to another. The only thing that we as believers must do is to humble ourselves before the Lord, acknowledge His Lordship of our lives, and pray without ceasing. The following forms are simply observations [...]
What Is Christian Yoga?
What is Christian Yoga? “Christian Yoga” is a term, perhaps first coined by the french monk Fr. Jean Marie Déchanet, who explored physical exercise and various forms as a way to connect with God. His book Christian Yoga was written in the late 1940’s and is out of print today, but you can still find copies in circulation. Déchanet’s practice and writings in Christian Yoga were born from [...]
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