Embodied Rest: A Christian’s Guide to Healing with Somatic Yoga

• August 28, 2025
• By Brian Lettieri

Embodied Rest: A Christian’s Guide to Healing with Somatic Yoga

Do you ever feel stuck? Your mind knows God’s promises of peace, but your body is still buzzing with anxiety. Your shoulders are tight, your breath is shallow, and you feel perpetually tired and wired, running on fumes no matter how much you pray. You long for the rest Jesus talks about, but it feels just out of reach.

If this sounds familiar, you are not alone. And what if this physical tension isn’t a sign of weak faith, but a signal from your body, in its God-given wisdom, that it needs healing, too?  

In a culture that glorifies hustle, it’s easy to treat our bodies like vehicles we have to drag along behind our spirits. But God’s design is one of profound wholeness. He created you as an integrated being – heart, soul, mind, and strength. This is where the gentle, Christ-centered practice of Christian somatic yoga can be a bridge back to the peace your entire being craves.

What is Somatic Yoga? A Gentle Invitation to Listen

Before we delve into how somatic yoga is connected to worshiping Jesus, we should start with the basics: what is somatic yoga? In the simplest terms, somatic yoga is a body-led practice that helps you reconnect with yourself from the inside out. The word “somatic” comes from the Greek word soma, which means “the body as perceived from within”.  

Unlike performance-based exercise, this practice isn’t about what a pose looks like but about what it feels like. It’s not about pushing or perfecting. It’s about listening – to your body, your breath, and the Holy Spirit within you. Through slow, intentional movement and supported rest, you learn to tune into your body’s signals, creating a safe space to release the tension, stress, and even trauma that so often gets stored in our physical tissues.  

At this point, you might be wondering how somatic yoga relates to Christianity. For that matter, is there such a thing as Christian yoga? The answer is a resounding yes, but let’s look a bit deeper at what scripture says.

The Biblical Truth: Your Body is a Holy Place

From the very beginning, Scripture affirms that your body is sacred. It is not an afterthought or a temporary inconvenience. It is a masterpiece, designed with purpose by the Creator of the universe. The Psalmist declares with awe, “I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well” (Psalm 139:14).  

This isn’t just poetry; it’s a foundational theological truth. The Apostle Paul takes it even further, asking us, “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own” (1 Corinthians 6:19).  

Your body is a holy place, a vessel designed to house the very presence of God. Learning to care for it, listen to it, and find peace within it is a vital part of our spiritual walk. Jesus Himself had an embodied ministry; He touched, healed, rested, cried, breathed, and walked among us. Honoring our own embodiment follows the example He set.  

Finding the Rest Jesus Promises Through Your Nervous System

God designed our bodies with an amazing internal alert system called the nervous system. When we face threats or intense stress, it kicks into fight, flight, or freeze mode to protect us. It may be unpleasant or downright terrifying in the moment, but this is a good gift! However, in our modern world, with its constant demands and pressures, many of us get stuck in this survival mode. 

This leads to chronic anxiety, brain fog, exhaustion, and that constant sense of being on edge. This is the exact weariness Jesus speaks to when He gives His beautiful invitation: “Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).  

Holy Yoga Somatics is a practical, physical way to accept that invitation and receive His rest. The gentle movements and mindful breathing help your nervous system shift out of survival mode and into its “rest and restore” state. This is where true healing begins. 

Through the benefits of somatic yoga, it’s in this place of physical calm and safety that our souls can finally breathe, allowing us to better experience the peace of God that surpasses all understanding.  

What Makes Holy Yoga Somatics Different?

Perhaps you’re hesitant. You’ve heard about other forms of yoga or meditation that don’t align with Christian faith. This is a valid concern, and one we take very seriously at Holy Yoga. However, while many practices strive to benefit from somatic yoga, no culture or religious has a claim on it.

We respect other faith system, but let us be clear: in our practice of somatic Holy Yoga, every element is intentionally and prayerfully brought under the Lordship of Christ. Our mission is to build Jesus-centered wellness communities and spread His Word. Scripture teaches us how to care for our body and soul, and we apply that in practice:  

• We follow the command to “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10), creating a quiet space to be filled with His Spirit and His Word.  
• We focus on the Breath of Life, the very Spirit that God breathed into us (Genesis 2:7), and His personal, indwelling presence.  
• Our goal is deeper communion with our Savior, Jesus Christ, and a more intimate relationship with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  
• We focus on Scripture, praying in our native tongue, and concentrate on regulating the nervous system that God created.  

Every movement becomes a prayer. Every breath is a moment of worship. Every posture is an opportunity to explore what it feels like to live in this sacred body God has given you.

What to Expect in a Holy Yoga Somatics Practice

Imagine a space with no mirrors, no judgment, and no pressure. It’s just you, your mat, and God. In a Holy Yoga Somatics practice, you can expect:  

• Gentle, nourishing somatic yoga exercises that honor your body’s unique needs.
• Breath-led sequences designed to calm your nervous system.
• Christ-centered meditation and scripture to focus your heart and mind.
• Intentional moments of stillness and deep, restorative rest.
• A deeper, more loving relationship with your body and with God.

You don’t need to be flexible. You don’t need to be able to do any specific somatic yoga poses. You don’t need any prior yoga experience. You just need a willing heart and a body that’s ready to be loved back into wholeness. Come and experience the peace that comes from resting fully – body, mind, and spirit – in Him.

Ready to Find Embodied Rest?

Experience the profound peace of Holy Yoga Somatics. We have created multiple pathways for you to begin this transformative journey.

• Live, Guided Experience: Join our 3-week Somatics Live Training from July 16-30, 2025. This is a unique opportunity for a guided, interactive experience to learn how to integrate body, mind, and spirit in a transformative, Christ-centered way. This training provides 10 contact CE hours for Holy Yoga and Yoga Alliance. Enrollment is now open!  
• On-Demand Flexibility: Our comprehensive Somatics Training will be available on HYTV+ starting September 8, 2025. Learn at your own pace from anywhere in the world and discover the peace that comes with a deeper mind-body connection in Christ. This on-demand training qualifies for 10 non-contact CE hours.  

Start Your Journey Today: Explore our full library of classes, trainings, and soul care resources on Holy Yoga TV and HYTV+. Our subscription services are designed to support your journey of divine transformation, wherever you are.