Yoga Philosophy Archives - Getting Still Yoga

What is yoga philosophy, and how can Christians learn from ancient yogic teachings? Do yoga and Christianity mix?

In the following blogs, we’ll explore the history of yoga, how the practice has evolved over the years, how worldview affects one’s understanding of yoga, and more. We will also learn to define yoga philosophy from a Christian worldview.

Do you want to understand the roots of yoga and how the practice can help you walk in greater freedom with Christ? Are you wondering how yoga philosophy can deepen your own Christian faith? Curious how to reconcile the practice of yoga with Christian theology and if yoga is spiritually safe for Christians? If you answered yes, then these blogs are for you.

As a Christ-follower and yoga teacher with over 25 years of experience, I want to provide wisdom for readers seeking to deepen their relationship with Christ through yoga and yogic teachings. After much research, I did not find many resources in yoga philosophy for Christians. Instead, I found controversy, fear, and many conflicting opinions.

These blogs are meant to shine a light on how Christ-followers can safely practice yoga to deepen their relationship with God the Father, Son, and Holy spirit. Join me as we learn the art of abiding through our yoga practice.

Want to dive deeper into Yoga philosophy and “Christian” yoga? Check out my free guides and yoga resources here. I also offer on-demand online courses and seasonal signature courses. Check them out and join the waitlist for the next course here.

Want to work with me? Check out my teaching, mentoring, and yoga teacher training offerings here.

Sankalpa: a Yogic Twist on New Year intentions & Resolutions

In the new year, it’s a common tradition to take time to reflect on the past, reevaluate priorities, set intentions, and make resolutions for the future. Establishing New Year intentions or resolutions CAN be a positive way to set goals and make changes in your life. However, it’s also common to feel daunted by the idea of setting lofty, [...]

By Kelly McLellan|2024-01-22T20:36:21+00:00January 15th, 2024|Christ-centered yoga, Christian Living, Meditation & Prayer, Yoga Philosophy|

What is Breathwork? 3 Breathwork Practices to Calm Stress for Beginners

What is Breathwork? 3 Breathwork Practices to Calm Stress for Beginners Are you curious about what breathwork is and how you can use the practice to calm stress? Breathwork is an umbrella term used to refer to various breathing exercises and practices. Breathwork techniques can vary widely in their approaches and goals, but they all focus on manipulating the [...]

By Kelly McLellan|2024-02-01T20:40:08+00:00November 7th, 2023|Christ-centered yoga, Meditation & Prayer, Yoga Philosophy|

Walking in Christ’s freedom: Jesus, yoga, & the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali

Yoga and Pantanjali’s path of freedom Yoga is more than a type of exercise, stretching, and posture. Yoga is a state of being and a way of living. The ancient teachings of yoga are meant to inform our minds, instruct our hearts, and enhance our spiritual growth. The ancient text, The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, made up of a collection [...]

By Kelly McLellan|2023-06-30T09:57:56+00:00June 27th, 2023|Christ-centered yoga, Spiritual growth, Yoga Philosophy|

The Yamas and Niyamas: How Yoga Helped Me to Follow Jesus

Though I am a lover of Jesus, I have been hesitant at times to use the term "Christian" to describe myself… The phrase 'follower of Christ' feels more descriptive of my heart for discipleship. A heart that desires to move my faith beyond shallow belief, and mere head knowledge of God, to actually living a certain “way”. The practice of [...]

By Kelly McLellan|2023-06-09T22:41:04+00:00October 24th, 2021|Christ-centered yoga, Yoga Philosophy|

Yoga, Epiphany, & the Ajna Chakra

Want to learn more about Christianity and chakras? Get your FREE Jesus and chakras tool-kit sent straight to your inbox. Sign up here.What do the practice of yoga, ajna chakra, and the season of Epiphany have in common?The mystery of revelation.During the season of Epiphany, Christians celebrate the revelation of Jesus as Messiah to the world. The God of the Bible is a [...]

By Kelly McLellan|2023-06-09T23:32:21+00:00January 15th, 2019|Christ-centered yoga, Energy and Chakras, Liturgical year, Yoga Philosophy|

Advent: Looking Back to Remember

In last week's post, Advent, Yoga, & Maya, we considered how the practice of yoga helps to draw back the veil of Maya, allowing us to see the world more clearly, perceiving the whole picture of what God is doing in the world.During the Advent season, Christians are invited to recall the past, awaken to the present, and anticipate the [...]

By Kelly McLellan|2023-06-09T22:46:05+00:00December 9th, 2018|Christ-centered yoga, Liturgical year, Yoga Philosophy|

Advent, Yoga & Maya

Advent is a time of new beginnings. Not only does Advent mark the beginning of the liturgical year in the Church, but Advent, for me, also marks the beginning of my journey of teaching Christ-centered yoga classes.I first began teaching these Scripture-based yoga classes during the Advent season in 2012. I was in a sweet phase of impromptu, middle-of-the-night Bible-study [...]

By Kelly McLellan|2023-06-09T22:45:15+00:00December 2nd, 2018|Christ-centered yoga, Liturgical year, Yoga Philosophy|

Advent, Yoga, & Equanimity

Finally, the season of Advent is coming to a close and the Christmas season is around the corner. Over the past four weeks, we have explored how the practice of yoga can help draw back the veil of Maya, allowing us to see the world more clearly. We were reminded that the birth of Jesus, first coming of Christ, was [...]

By Kelly McLellan|2023-06-09T22:44:37+00:00October 23rd, 2018|Christ-centered yoga, Liturgical year, Yoga Philosophy|

Stealing Yoga

Dear India, I would like to thank you for gifting the world with the beautiful practice of yoga. I would like to apologize for all of the ways that Christians (including myself), have intentionally or unintentionally, disregarded your religious and spiritual traditions and overlooked their contributions to the world for thousands of years. I would like to acknowledge our indebtedness [...]

By Kelly McLellan|2023-06-09T22:47:02+00:00June 20th, 2018|Christ-centered yoga, Featured, Yoga Philosophy|

Namaste & Imago Dei

As a follower of Christ, I have spent much time in study and prayer over my yoga practice. I have sought the counsel of my pastor, my elders, my accountability group, and my husband. I have not glazed over the controversy that surrounds Christians practicing yoga. I have put my love of yoga on the altar of God for him [...]

By Kelly McLellan|2023-06-09T22:50:04+00:00January 24th, 2018|Christ-centered yoga, Yoga Philosophy|