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:

 

 

Sutra 1.50 harks back to the lesson previously, where one gives the mind over totally to God. Reaching a state of pure bliss in meditation, abiding in God alone, has worked miracles in the lives of so many saints before us. In the New Testament, Paul was able to turn his life completely around from one of sin and persecution to absolute devotion to Jesus Christ. If he had sat in prayer and allowed thoughts of his past to drag him down, he would not have been able to accomplish his many great works that established the church throughout the world. Too many times, people enter into prayer and meditation yet are stymied by thoughts that they aren't good enough, aren't worthy, are too dragged down by sin, to be an instrument of God. That's why developing a regular practice of disengaging from these harmful human-driven thoughts allows us to overcome our myriad human frailties.

Acts 3 tells the dramatic healing of the lame beggar who sat at the Beautiful Gate. His faith made him whole. Peter told the astonished crowd that God's healing power was available to all. "¹⁶By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus' name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see."

So many times our own inner hurts can keep us from a healthy relationship with God and the people around us. God has work for you to do, and you must be strong and whole in order to do it! Are you suffering from a deep interior wound today? Pray for healing. Through faith, you too can experience the "times of refreshing" with God.

I discovered this pose in a really old yoga book, and haven't seen it practiced in any classes or discussed on any yoga websites. However, it is a big hit in my yoga studio classes! Shoulder flexibility is the first to go as we age, so keep your shoulders healthy with the Clock Pose. Follow up by pulling the stretched arm across the body and pinning it tightly to the chest with the other arm. If you've never tried Clock, you need to do the amazing mirror check! If you do the pose properly, with foot and hip against the wall and shoulder firmly pressed into the wall, check the mirror when you finish. Holding your arms down to your sides, the stretched arm fingertips should be an inch or two lower than the unstretched side. When you do this pose, be sure to hold the exterior shoulder back and not lean into the wall for the best stretch. Make sure to do the other side so you don't walk around lopsided all day! Below is student Denise Heath-Gay.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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!