Sanctuary Yoga
Religions September 14, 2022 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.3390/rel13090856 via OpenAlex
Summary
Christian congregations face a polarized culture that can produce oversimplified theology and spirituality, while congregants struggle with entrenched differences. The Patañjali yogic system provides a way for Reformed Christian communities to create yoga practices combining breath, movement, and relevant Biblical texts. Three practice plans are offered. Appropriating yoga honorably offers an integrative method and a spacious experience, enabling practitioners to further participate in and influence their faith community toward such spaciousness.
Study at a glance
| Design | theoretical or philosophical paper |
|---|---|
| Population | Reformed Christian congregations |
| Key finding | The Patañjali yogic system offers Reformed Christian communities an opportunity to develop yoga practices integrating breath, movement, and Biblical texts, fostering spaciousness for practitioners and their faith community. |
Abstract
Christian congregations find themselves caught in a polarized cultural environment which can lead to simplified theological and spiritual constructs. Moreover, congregants are facing spiritual challenges that come from entrenched differences. The Pantañjali yogic system offers an opportunity for Reformed Christian communities to develop yoga practices that integrate breath, movement, and appropriate Biblical texts. Three practice plans are offered. The honorable appropriation of yoga by a Christian community promises not only an integrative method but also a spacious experience for the practitioner who may, in turn, participate further and influence their community of faith towards such relevant spaciousness.