To be honest, I didn’t fully understand how to ‘meet Jesus on the mat’ before I began Holy Yoga Instructor Training. As we studied the Bible and learned pose breakdowns via web calls, I became increasingly nervous to combine the two. It came time for our training call where we would address “weaving the Word” and alas, I was disappointed to see less than two pages on the topic in our manual.
I thought to myself, “What now? This isn’t enough! Without a step by step guide, I cannot possibly succeed in weaving the Word.”
Isn’t it funny how we approach so many things in life this way? Give me a checklist. Where is my instruction manual?!
Side note: Our manuals have excellent tips in them. But when you’re feeling insecure it doesn’t matter how much information we’re equipped with. We will still feel unprepared! Amen?!
I quickly learned that God will equip us to weave the Word in our own unique way. A step-by-step guide won’t help me. It is not about boasting or appearing eloquent before man. Who cares if I fumble over my words or play a song at the wrong time?
Holy Yoga is not about glorifying me. It is all about glorifying Jesus.
As instructors, we have the honor of ushering in the Spirit and leading those in our classes to an encounter with Jesus. He has given us a message that He desires for His people to hear. We just have to learn how to get out of the way.
Here are some tips to shake off the pressure and allow the Lord to use you:
Preparation
- Pray. Ask God what He wants you to share. Maybe it is something you read in the Bible during your devotional time. It could be a verse that you’ve been memorizing. Perhaps a song that keeps getting stuck in your head.
- Choose an intention. Allow God to reveal a word or idea from your inspiration verse or song to share with your students. Weaving the Word is the art of shaping your class around this message; from the poses you choose, the music you play, to the type of yoga class (who knows, God may change your power flow into a gentle one).
During Class
- Open in prayer. Ask the Holy Spirit to move in the hearts of His people. The Psalmist says, “As for me, I call to God…and He hears my voice.” (Psalm 55:16-17) He is faithful to sustain you, to soften hearts and to make Himself known!
- Read your chosen scripture. Read it multiple times, in different translations, and at different times during the class. Research other verses that resonate with your intention or passage. If you’re making a playlist, listen to it while you drive to the store and allow the Lord to bring other verses to your heart to share.
- Pose questions. Throughout the practice, in rest postures or during flows, ask probing questions like “What are you holding on to today?” or “How is God whispering to your heart through this worship song?” Allow space for quiet, so the class can fellowship with God.
- Be vulnerable. Share stories of how God is using this message to prune you. Don’t be afraid to tell a story with your scripture and music. Use your own voice. Laugh, smile, sing, be you!
- End with prayer. Encourage your students to take what they heard from the Lord off their mat and into their day. Pray for the class to leave their mat changed, closer to Jesus and more open to His voice than before. Don’t underestimate the power of prayer!
Weaving the Word isn’t a step-by-step guide or set formula, rather an opportunity to obey the Lord and join Him in the work He is doing!
“We don’t play the major role. If we did, we’d probably go around bragging that we’d done the whole thing! No, we neither make nor save ourselves. God does both the making and saving. He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing.” Ephesians 2:7-10 (MSG)
Want to learn more about becoming a Holy Yoga Instructor? Head over here for more info! Our next session starts soon, and we can’t wait to see how God will use you to weave the word into practice!
