In February, we began our study of the original yoga knowledge, and building a bridge to our JudeoChristian traditions. The 196 yoga sutras, or little lessons, were compiled some 500-800 years before Christ. You can find many translations and interpretations on the Internet for free if you'd like to follow along. Sanskrit is hard to translate into English. However, I enjoy these two translations as the commentators often set the lessons in a Christian context. Here are my picks for the best two:

 

 

Happy Birthday today to husband Chuck of 36 years!

I think we all know the obvious advantages of clear thinking, when our judgments are not clouded by prejudice, fear, anger, or a whole host of other human limitations. There are so many things we cannot do well without a clear mind, and on the top of that list would have to be prayer. Too often when we want to get busy with meaningful prayer time, our mind wanders to last night's party or tomorrow's bills that need to be paid. The yoga discipline of sitting and deliberately training the mind to be still with God provides value to almost everything we do. I saw an interesting interview with Bobby McFerrin this morning--yes, the "don't worry be happy" guy. He told CNN that he starts every single day with an hour of prayer and scripture reading, and held up a well-worn Bible. If you haven't followed his career, he is quite a serious and classically trained musician and composer, well-respected in both classical and jazz circles. He says it clears his mind.

 

Bible Study: 1 Peter 4  (from BibleGateway.com)

Simon Peter's strict instructions on living for the Lord in this chapter were based on his belief that the end was near. Be ready! Stay focused, he says. "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins."

There is an old business workshop exercise that asks participants to describe what they would change if they knew they only had one more week to live. The punchline is always, "so why aren't you living like that now?" Peter was trying to slap everybody awake, trying to get people to focus like a laser beam on what was really important. He asked his readers to live in a state of readiness, with a keen focus and a clear mind to advance the Kingdom. Why aren't you living like that now?

This is certainly not anyone's favorite pose, and why is that? I guess it doesn't make anyone feel graceful or strong. Yet Awkward Chair is a great discipline and can convert fat to muscle on those hips and thighs better than any old expensive Suzanne Somer's product! Plus, Awkward Chair is a great launch pose to go into Warrior I or Prayer Twist. To be effective, you really need to sit DOWN into the pose. Below is serene student Alison Lumbatis.

If you'd like a more structured way to practice yoga, try the new Redeeming Yoga Workbook and Journal, now available for sale on-line. It contains an 8-week program of meditations, health tips, Bible study, plus room for journaling. Click here to order now!