Published: Saturday, August 13, 2011
‘Holy yoga’ at Everett church combines scripture with movement
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Holy yoga participants lift small weights during Myron's class.
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Kathi Myron leads a holy yoga class for the Canyon Creek Church in Everett. She uses her Bible to lead participants through a spiritual and physical experience.
EVERETT -- Kathi Myron believes that emotions can affect a person's physical well-being.
"We get blocked up by keeping things in," she said. "You won't be feeling good at that point."
Myron, Canyon Creek Church's "holy yoga" instructor, withheld her emotions for years after her father died when he was 42. She was a high school senior.
It wasn't until her experience with Holy Yoga that she confronted her emotions, which were causing tension her joints and hips, she said.
"The yoga and opening up my body made me feel like a different person," she said.
Once a week Myron leads yoga class for about 20 women at the Everett church as part of the growing ministry group. Soon, Tuesday and Thursday classes will be open to members of the community who are not in the ministry.
According to associate pastor, Christian Lindbeck, the classes are always full. That's because the class is about more than exercise. Each class also focuses on Christian verses.
"Even though the practice is essentially the same, her topics remain fresh," he said. "She remains passionate about introducing people to the connection between their health and spiritual vitality."
Myron chooses topics and verses for each class according to what happens in her life. The class allows members the time they need to spend time listening to God, she said.
"It helps you get centered," she said. "If you focus on a verse, you start to get yourself close with the relationship of the word."
The lights are dim in the fitness center at the church and women listen to soft, spiritual music while they place their yoga mats around the room.
"I'm inviting you to let go of all obstacles," Myron said. "Park them on the side. Put them in a suitcase. You can pick them up on the way out."
New member Elizabeth Rankin of Edmonds, said she had never before combined a time to worship with exercise.
"I needed a way to de-stress," Rankin said.
The new program complements people's lifestyles, Myron said.
"We're stepping up with our faith and spiritual discipline," she said. "Sometimes, we don't want to because we want to do something else, but we have to be mindful."
Lindsylee Wheadon: 425-408-3440; lwheadon@heraldnet.com
"We get blocked up by keeping things in," she said. "You won't be feeling good at that point."
Myron, Canyon Creek Church's "holy yoga" instructor, withheld her emotions for years after her father died when he was 42. She was a high school senior.
It wasn't until her experience with Holy Yoga that she confronted her emotions, which were causing tension her joints and hips, she said.
"The yoga and opening up my body made me feel like a different person," she said.
Once a week Myron leads yoga class for about 20 women at the Everett church as part of the growing ministry group. Soon, Tuesday and Thursday classes will be open to members of the community who are not in the ministry.
According to associate pastor, Christian Lindbeck, the classes are always full. That's because the class is about more than exercise. Each class also focuses on Christian verses.
"Even though the practice is essentially the same, her topics remain fresh," he said. "She remains passionate about introducing people to the connection between their health and spiritual vitality."
Myron chooses topics and verses for each class according to what happens in her life. The class allows members the time they need to spend time listening to God, she said.
"It helps you get centered," she said. "If you focus on a verse, you start to get yourself close with the relationship of the word."
The lights are dim in the fitness center at the church and women listen to soft, spiritual music while they place their yoga mats around the room.
"I'm inviting you to let go of all obstacles," Myron said. "Park them on the side. Put them in a suitcase. You can pick them up on the way out."
New member Elizabeth Rankin of Edmonds, said she had never before combined a time to worship with exercise.
"I needed a way to de-stress," Rankin said.
The new program complements people's lifestyles, Myron said.
"We're stepping up with our faith and spiritual discipline," she said. "Sometimes, we don't want to because we want to do something else, but we have to be mindful."
Lindsylee Wheadon: 425-408-3440; lwheadon@heraldnet.com
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