Christians practice yoga to connect with God
Yoga originated in the Hindu religion to train the body for extended meditation. "It was intended to be a preparation for prayer," said the Rev. David Moffett-Moore, pastor of St. Peter's United Church of Christ in Frankfort.
Today, the spiritual and ascetic discipline is embraced by people of many faiths and cultures, often as a form of health and relaxation.
(Matt Marton/SouthtownStar)
St. Peter's United Church of Christ, 12 W. Sauk Trail, Frankfort, will host "Yoga From a Christian Perspective" led by Jane Tuma from 1 to 4 p.m. Sept. 21. The cost is $40 for church members, $50 for nonmembers. Registration is required by Wednesday at (815) 469-2220.
Monday night yoga will resume at 7 p.m. Sept. 22 at the church.
"By one estimate, there are 15 million yoga practitioners in the United States, and roughly half of them are also practicing Christians," Moffett-Moore said.
On Sept. 21, St. Peter's Church will host "Yoga From a Christian Perspective," a three-hour workshop led by Jane Tuma, a certified Iyengar yoga teacher on staff at Yoga Circle of Chicago.
Tuma discovered yoga 25 years ago, and traveled to India three times for advanced studies. She earned a master's of divinity degree from Chicago's McCormick Theological Seminary and is a candidate for ministry in the Presbyterian Church USA.
"St. Peter's has had an informal yoga exercise group for the past few years, but this is the first formal offering we've had that incorporates yoga exercises with Christian spirituality," said Moffett-Moore, who heads a 500-member congregation.
"Christian yoga is a way for us to integrate our mind, body and soul and our thoughts and emotions. In Christian yoga, verses of Scripture are united with the different body positions so that our bodies may become living prayers and God's word in our flesh."
St. Peter's Church offers a variety of ongoing spiritual programs on different themes, such as healing and centering on prayer.
Moffett-Moore added yoga to this year's lineup because several members were already practicing it, including his wife, Becki.
Participants, ages 16 and older, should wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing, like sweats or loungewear. Yoga experience is not needed, and footwear is optional.
"Yoga positions are best done barefoot, I've been told," Moffett-Moore said.
The workshop will introduce Iyengar yoga, a method that emphasizes awareness and body alignment.
And it will start with prayer.
"Christian yoga is a way for us to quiet ourselves, to focus our energy on the presence of God with us," Moffett-Moore said.
Though some theologians might call Christian yoga an oxymoron, Moffett-Moore doesn't agree. He illustrated his point with several biblical references, including John 1:39.
"When Jesus was asked, early in his ministry, where he was coming from and what he was about, he didn't offer a theological justification or a doctrinal dissertation. He simply said, 'Come and see,' " Moffett-Moore said.
"If you have questions about Christian yoga or curiosity or openness to God doing a new thing, I say now what Christ said then, 'Come and see.' "
Rena Fulka can be reached at rfulka@southtownstar.com or (708) 802-8829.
http://www.southtownstar.com/lifestyles/fulka/1160125,091408keepingfaith.article
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