My training as a yoga teacher has its origins in the hot and stinky world of Core Power. Classes start at 91 degrees F, all the way up to 105! The combination of sweat, hot breathing and hard working bodies is enough to make anyone gag! One of the pillars of yoga is cleanliness, and a vigorous hot class of stretching and strength building on a yoga mat can change that quickly. It's not too unlike the life of a Christian; turn up the heat and see how you smell? I was relieved when my teacher Joy began to spray lavender essential oils. With a simple reflex of her finger, she changed the foul smell to something pleasing to the senses. Do you believe it’s possible for you, personally, to be that sort of change agent in your surroundings for Christ? What comes to your mind when I say the phrase “fresh cut grass”. What comes to your heart when I say the phrase “grandmas perfume”. What comes up in your soul when I say the phrase “hold a baby or puppy close to your face”. Wouldn’t you agree that most of us would say “that is good”. John 12:3 says then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. I’m not sure what would be worse? The smell of wet hair and dirty feet or sitting on hands and doing nothing? There are five basic human senses: touch, sight, hearing, smell and taste. The sensing organs associated with each sense send information to the brain to help us understand and perceive God’s creation around us. Research published in the May 11, 2017, issue of the journal Science suggests that humans can discriminate among 1 trillion different odors. Lisa Bevere, international inspirational Christian speaker, got my attention to how I smell. What I took away from what she was saying is that we have the power to enter a room and change the atmosphere to create a sweet aroma for Christ. So, if I enter a room and notice a foul odor, whether it’s gossip or slander or hurt feelings or argument, I can chose to use what I learn on my yoga mat and in the Bible to step away or be the change. I can use prayer, listening skills, deep breathing, open hearted, and open mindedness to "be the fabreeze". I took it a step further to use this tactic on myself as an attitude adjuster. I was in an unfavorable mood and I used my diffuser to pump my favorite essential oils into the air. It seemed to work well. When I had a work task that I was dreading and I needed inspiration or I simply wanted to tantalize my senses I helped bring myself back around with my diffuser. Do you smell baking bread…where is this coming from? Toucan Sam from the cereal commercial would say “follow your nose” to fruit loops. We can be the Christians God wants us to be by having the pleasing aroma which draws others to Christ. 2 Corinthians 2:15 - In Paul’s analogy, he separates people into two groups: those on the path of salvation and those on the road to destruction, but both as an aroma to God. The sweet aroma of life spread everywhere by the ministry of evangelism was the knowledge of God as victor. Christians who spread the gospel are members of God’s victorious army led by Jesus Christ. Both the victors and those perishing smell the aroma; however, it has a different meaning for the two groups. Joy of triumph for one and defeat, slavery, and death for the other. Take our dear Polycarp of 168AD, martyred because he wouldn't deny Jesus to Caesar, where witnesses said that when we was burned on the fire, the flames flew high above his body, but miraculously he wasn't burned. Those who watched said "he was amidst in the fire, not as burning flesh but as gold and silver refined in a furnace. And we smelled such a sweet aroma as of incense or some other precious spice". What killed him was a roman soldiers sword piercing his side, flowing so much blood that it put out the fire. So many instances and examples of how we can be the human diffuser: be the fabreeze! Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. (Ephesians 5:1-2) May my prayer be like special perfume before You. May the lifting up of my hands be like the evening gift given on the altar in worship. (Psalm 141:2) Join us for a gentle flow of breath, moving meditation and a focus on God's word at our new location: 8330 W 80th Ave, Arvada, CO 80005. Wednesday at noon in person and on Facebook Live https://www.facebook.com/frogposeyoga/live_videos/ Thank you to Flatirons Dance for offering this lovely space. Come and enjoy a class. Suggested donation $10. Stay tuned as The Bridge continues to grow in partnerships for a healing local Arvada community.
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Frog pose yoga is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization
At the foot of the flatirons, BOULDER, CO
JOIN THE MOVEMENT! EIN# 82-2579520
Join Class 2nd Thursday's of every month at 7pm: Red Rocks Church 72nd/Wadsworth Arvada
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Contact Us970-670-0801 [email protected]
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