Christ In Yoga & You: The Way to Confidence, Strength & Freedom

By Denise Stemple

How we respond to the throes of daily life impacts our health, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. We need to release the tension that stores in our body and causes dis-ease. Overwhelming feelings set in when we lack margin in the schedule. A mind is a powerful tool for the positive or the negative, which do you choose? We long for a life

• Language: English
• Publisher: Space For Change
• Release date: Oct 27, 2017
• ISBN: 9780578196862

Denise Stemple

DENISE STEMPLE, ccyt, ryt, is a Certified Christian Yoga Teacher, Certified Breakthrough Marriage Coach, Life Coach, and Mentor, who lives in Golden, Colorado, with the love of her life and their quirky Alpacas. Denise enjoys time with her family, 2 grown married kids, and 4 grandkids. Favorites include dark chocolate, Jesus, Yoga, God's creation, traveling, fresh food, reading deep books, and making authentic connections-not necessarily in that order!

Book preview

CHRIST IN YOGA & YOU

The Way to Confidence, Strength & Freedom

DENISE STEMPLE

Copyright ©2017 by Denise Stemple

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed in any form or by any mean, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the copyright holder.

First Edition

ISBN: 978-0-578-19686-2

Contact: [e-mail]

Denise Stemple, Golden, CO 80403

www.spaceforchange.com

Legal Disclaimer: This information is not intended to diagnose or prescribe. Before beginning any new diet, exercise, or another health program, consult your physician. Always work within your own limits.

Book Layout, Design, and partial Cover Design Anna Howard

Photos and partial Cover Design credit Nina Holmes/Inspirer.com

Additional photography thanks to Unsplash: Tim Swaan (page 4), Felix Russell-Saw (page 7), Hannah Yoon (page 9), Caspe Sparsoe (page 10), Marion Michele (page 12), Ben Blennerhassett (page 16), Rob Bates (page 32), Dan Gold (page 36), Tyler Lastovich (page 50), Robson Hatsukami Morgan (page 32), Sebastien Marchand (page 70), Austin Neill (page 73), Mahir Uysal (page 90), Pranam Gurung (page 114), Clay Knight (page 130), and Wes Grant (page 135).

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version (NIV), English Standard Version (ESV), The Message (MSG), New Living Translation (NLT), and The Voice (VOICE) (2017).

Dictionary.com

Bonus: Free E-book Download: Burn Out Remedies/www.spaceforchange.com

contents

INTRODUCTION

HOW TO USE THIS BOOK

CHAPTER ONE

Seated Poses – Start With Your Story

CHAPTER TWO

Heart Openers – Builds Self-Care

CHAPTER THREE

Standing Poses – Requires Support

CHAPTER FOUR

Balancing Poses – Involves Study

CHAPTER FIVE

Strengthening Poses – Creates Warriors

CHAPTER SIX

Resting Poses – Releases Striving

CONCLUSION

SEQUENCES

INDEX

HISTORY OF YOGA

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

introduction

Are you in a good place? Do you feel alive, or are you struggling and overwhelmed? Deep down do you know there's more to life than what you're encountering today, but you can't put your finger on it? Perhaps you feel indifferent or disconnected from what matters most. What would it take to feel great, live on purpose, and live life abundantly? Life's demands can get in the way of experiencing the whole health that is available, as well as achievable. This book is for you if you want to feel more than fine or good. How about confident, strong, and free?!

HOW DOES THIS PROCESS WORK?

Guidance for inspiration and directed action are fundamental to the course of experiencing the physical, mental, and spiritual relief that is possible for each one of us.

This system is space for change, and the keys to help you remove what has blocked you from being your best self, from the inside out. CHANGE THAT WILL HELP YOU FLOURISH DOESN'T HAPPEN ON ITS OWN. It necessitates training, awareness, persistent effort, and action. Often, our lives are off center, and we miss the mark that God has for us. We may be physically fit but detached spiritually and emotionally. Some people excel at being smart intellectually but can be inept in the ways of the heart. Or, we can be gifted spiritually, but then have poor physical health or struggle with illness. Too much of one thing and not enough of the other causes disease, imbalance, a disconnect with ourselves, others, and God. Harmony of the mind, body, and spirit is essential to holistic living. Christ in Yoga & You is a new system to embrace all three facets, and when applied, will lead you towards whole health and assurance in everything you do.

HOW MUCH TIME WILL IT TAKE?

A commitment to intentional time with God every day is critical to one's success. Take 5 minutes or 50 minutes; the choice is yours. What you get out of this practice is proportional to what you put into it. The most important aspect is that you dedicate time daily to talk and walk with the Lord and ask for His guidance.

WHAT PROBLEMS WILL IT SOLVE?

Though it is challenging work, one can successfully unlearn old habits and understand the limitations of flawed beliefs. Recognizing God's truths and promises encourages us to release and reframe the negative aspects of our life with the positive, establishing a revived and heavenly mindset. Moving and breathing intentionally through Christ-Centered Yoga techniques resets unhealthy patterns and posture in the body, releasing tension and stress, freeing the spirit within to be renewed. You will connect with God, which in turn helps you connect with yourself and others, allowing you to live a life of ease versus force so that whole living can become the new standard instead of the alternative.

Are you ready to get unstuck and live healthier without excuse?

WHAT DOES IT COST?

The only costs to you are time and energy.

WHAT WILL IT COST YOU IF YOU DON'T CHANGE?

Living and loving life to the fullest will be out of reach. Until you recognize and identify the limitations and challenges confronting you, it is hard to change anything about yourself.

Choose to do your life with Christ, care for your temple through Christ-Centered Yoga, and adhere to the principles of directional coaching. This process will help you reclaim the confidence, strength, and freedom God designed for you since the beginning of time.

As a Certified Christ-Centered Yoga Instructor, Life Coach, and Mentor, God has placed a desire in my heart to create space for change. A safe space requires and builds trust. It's my commission to walk alongside, support, and encourage you. Although it can feel hard or scary, change is inevitable. Change can also be good, especially with a partner to guide you and help you be accountable. There comes a time to wake up and find out who you are, whose you are, and what you must contribute. It's heart work, a refining process, and some chiseling needs to take place. The dedication, effort, and muscle required to get to the other side is worth it! If you struggle with change, there's a reason. Let's figure it out together!

I understand the challenge, as I haven't always been comfortable in my skin. Maybe you can relate. I've learned the hard way with unhealthy relationships, unforgiveness for myself and others, and self-medicating behaviors. Each of these adverse actions builds a layer of the wrong protection. Have you ever felt like you don't measure up? Are you hiding out with a mask of protection? Feelings of being less than or too much, a sense of hiding and voicelessness are the opposite of God's perfect love for you. Fear, self- doubt, indecision, unbelief, and a wavering spirit are signs that you need a change.

Though I still fall short and have days when I fail to remember, I come back to the place of knowing that I am His beloved, His daughter, with a desire to be healthy in every area of my life. I know and trust that each new day I center on Him, I'm a better version of who I was yesterday because of His unconditional love.

God, the Creator of the universe, intentionally made us in His image out of His breath and dust. The Lord formed us with physiological and emotional aspects to the body's organs. Biological molecules, muscular, skeletal, and perfectly orchestrated complex systems all working in harmony. Most importantly, God created us with an eternal soul. We are an incredible and inconceivable masterpiece—and God is the craftsman! You are His child, His treasure, a new creation, a place where His spirit lives, a messenger to the world, and He loves you. You are amazing because He is amazing! There is something intrinsically valuable in discovering and knowing this. It changes you; it has changed me. It gives you an identity, purpose, hope, and future. It means He cares about every facet of your being, to be in a remarkable relationship with Him and others. When you open to His greater thoughts and ways, you'll see you are destined to make something beautiful of the life the Lord has given you.

God is asking you to believe He is who He says He is, believe you are who He says you are, and then live like you believe those things.

Rick Warren

Do you believe? The feeling deep down inside that you were made to shine is real, but how do you get there? Let me walk alongside you on this journey, to live as you believe. We'll figure out what keeps you from knowing and expressing your authentic self, where it is you want to go, and why it all matters. Let's close the gap together and create space for a change in the body, mind, and spirit. Then, we'll no longer be infants, tossed and blown about by every wind of teaching.

What you learn and receive on the yoga mat translates off the yoga mat. What you hear and receive in His Word and church on Sundays turns into all days of the week. It's faith and the physical majestically intertwined. Are you ready to step into the present moment and enjoy the process? Are you willing to give proper attention to your situation to bring about significant change? When one person changes, it changes everyone they touch, and so on. THE GIFT OF TRANSFORMATION IS NEARER THAN YOU THINK!

I love the Steven Curtis Chapman song that says, It all matters, just as long as you do everything you do to the glory of the One who made you, 'cause He made you, to do every little thing that you do to bring a smile to His face, tell the story of grace, with every move that you make and every little thing you do.

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

Timothy 2:15 (ESV)

This book is my story of His grace, and I pray it brings a smile to His face and creates space for change!

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE CHRIST-CENTERED?

As found within the book of Romans 12:1-2, the Message version of the Bible says it perfectly. So, here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for Him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what He wants from you and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, developing a well-formed maturity in you.

God wants a relationship with us, communion, and He wants our time. He loves us, no matter what we've done or will do. He's our source, living a Christ-centered life translates into how we think, feel, and act in every aspect of our lives—in the joy and the challenging!

WHAT IS YOGA?

Yoga is not a religion. Yoga is a discipline for release and healing. The classical Indian Sanskrit word for yoga is yug which translates into yoke or union. The system of yoga is a whole-body approach that connects the body through postures, the mind with concentration and meditation, the spirit with breath, and a proper vegetarian diet. This method is practiced widely for better health and relaxation. Yoga is a vehicle for self-discovery, incorporated into one's daily life whether you are a Christian, Atheist, Buddhist, Muslim, or Hindu.

WHAT IS CHRIST-CENTERED YOGA?

Christ-Centered Yoga (CCY) is a heart opening practice that leads to worship and prayer, yoking to the Creator of the universe and celebrating Him with our entire being. CCY is an intimate connection to God and His presence, a surrendering to something greater than yourself. In the body, we connect through physical movement and stance. It is self-care, stillness, and stretching. It's the release of tension, the improvement of blood flow, a calming of the Para-sympathetic nervous system, and a boost to the immune system.

With His Word, we focus the mind and the intention of the heart; it's discipline and contemplation, intuition and peace. With Christian music playing, it's adoration and fellowship with like-minded believers. It is training and fun, accepting limits, and pushing past safe comfort zones. The breath is freedom and life, and the Holy Spirit is the guide and giver of life. We take the breath for granted because it's automatic—intentionally breathing is spirit. The Hebrew word ruach translates as breath, wind, or spirit. We are living, breathing, spiritual beings wired to honor and love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.

WHAT IS CHRIST-CENTERED LIFE COACHING?

Christ-Centered Life Coaching (CCLC) is inviting God's perspective while adhering to safe space and a powerful partnership for personal growth. Coaches provide tools, resources, and action steps to assist you in closing the gap. Athletes have coaches to improve their motivation, technique, and strategy. Most of the time we think about changing, but fail to plan, and thus fail to act. CCLC is walking alongside Christ and asking intentional questions to draw out the answers to what's already inside. Overcoming limiting beliefs and negative self-talk leads to greater awareness, potential, and purpose.

Ask yourself, who are you, what drives you, why are these things important to you, and what do you get as a result? If you're stuck in any area, a Christ-Centered Life Coach can often be the missing piece of the puzzle to set you free spiritually.

My many years of training have allowed me to think of whole health as body, mind, and spirit working in unity. Christ is in the center of my life—an intentional way of thinking and doing, and a foundation that supports who I am and whose I am. This combination aligns with His principles so that we can experience joy, hope, and peace. A system in place creates space for good health, personal development, and the overall quality of life. Let's start right here, right now!

So, here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for Him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Romans 12:1-2 (MSG)