From the Winter 2024 Difficulty of Christian Yoga Journal
Yoga, as documented by Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, is an eight-fold path of guiding ideas–or limbs–referred to as ashtanga in Sanskrit. These pointers search to harmonize the physique, thoughts, and spirit and train us methods to reside meaningfully and purposefully. Simply because the ideas of Biblical knowledge literature act as pointers for Christians, these eight limbs function a prescription for ethical and moral conduct and self-discipline. Every limb addresses part of how yoga integrates your physique, thoughts, and spirit.
This text focuses on the fourth limb – pranayama – outlined as breath or life drive. Pranayama is shifting vitality round your physique through the use of your breath. Within the yogic custom, the vitality you’re shifting round along with your breath isn’t simply oxygen and carbon dioxide; it’s the very important cosmic vitality in all life. The identical is implied within the Bible as nicely. As Christians, we additionally see breath as our life drive. The second God first breathed his breath into Adam, he grew to become a residing, respiratory being – he grew to become human (Genesis 2:7).
Breath can be carefully linked to the Spirit of God. The phrases ruah (Hebrew), pneuma (Greek), and spiritus (Latin) are used interchangeably to imply breath, spirit, life drive, and the wind of God. In Ezekial 37:9-10 we learn that the phrase ruah, or life drive of God, is what brings the dry bones again to life. Within the Gospels (Matthew 27:15, Mark 15:37-39 and John 19:30), we are able to see the connections between breath, voice, life, and spirit within the narrative of Christ’s crucifixion. As Jesus cried out, he voluntarily breathed his final breath and launched his spirit from his physique (he gave up his life). With out the breath, there isn’t a voice, and there’s no life.
What it’s
Breath is the inspiration for all times as a result of our our bodies can not reside with out it. It’s the very first thing we do once we are born and the very last thing we do once we die. Understanding how respiratory works provides context for understanding how our pranayama apply can be utilized day by day.
Dana Jalovick
Dana is a YOGAFAITH Yoga Therapist (R-IAYT) specializing in trauma intervention and restoration, and yoga for scoliosis. She lives in central Pennsylvania. EMAIL: dana.jalovick@gmail.com
WEBSITE: www.livemovebreatheyoga.com: Residing and Transferring in congruence with Christ; Being totally alive and aligned in thoughts, physique, and spirit (Acts 17:28)
