December 23, 2024 • 32 mins
Feeling spiritually unaligned or physically disconnected from your faith journey? Today’s episode features Michelle Thielen, the founder of YogaFaith, who shares her remarkable story of overcoming deep depression through a transformative encounter with the Holy Spirit. Michelle’s journey led her to integrate biblical principles into yoga, creating a unique practice that aligns physical postures with spiritual beliefs. This intriguing conversation promises to shed light on the potential of yoga as a tool for spiritual growth and healing.
We bravely tackle the controversial topic of combining Christianity with yoga. Michelle and I discuss how all practices, even those like yoga with roots in other religious traditions, can be redeemed and used for God’s glory. Addressing common concerns such as new age practices like Kundalini, Michelle emphasizes the importance of discerning the Holy Spirit’s guidance. By incorporating elements such as music and cultural expressions into worship, we underscore that faith can and should be infused into every aspect of life, including exercise.
Our episode delves into the practicalities of Yoga Faith classes, highlighting how different postures serve as forms of worship and surrender. Michelle explains the significance of creating space for stillness and listening to God, even in our busy lives. We discuss the mission and accredited programs of Yoga Faith, offering resources for those interested in combining their spiritual journey with physical practice. This episode is a heartfelt reflection on discovering one’s purpose through faith, the necessity of community, and the joy of spreading inspiration and wisdom to others. Join us, and be encouraged to seek, grow, and trust in God’s plan.
About Michelle:
Michelle Thielen is a keynote speaker, author of Stretching Your Faith and Exit Wilderness. She is a certified yoga therapist, founder of YogaFaith and teaching somatic movement through dance and yoga for more than 25
years. Michelle travels the globe to aid young, trafficked survivors through practices of yoga, dance, and somatics. She is passionate about helping people all over the world to live a life of purpose.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:17):
Hey, I'm Lemon.
I am just like you, sisterfriend.
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becoming those ultimate Proverbs31 women.
Hey, I'm Lemon.
I am just like you, sisterfriend.
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see a way out of the laundrypiles and, frankly, I resented
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How was I going to live up tothe hype?
(00:39):
That is until I found out howto really step into becoming
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In this podcast you're going tofind financial freedom,
leadership, growth andmotivation so you'll be able to
do all the things God has calledyou to do with ease and really
step into that land of milk andhoney.
Welcome back to the Milk andHoney podcast.
(01:00):
I'm your host, lemon Price.
I am so excited because I havemy friend, michelle Thielen here
.
She is the founder of YogaFaith and do not panic, do not
turn me off for anything.
I'm really excited to just talkabout this because I guarantee
you're probably sitting herelike yoga and faith.
They don't go together, butthey do.
Michelle is going to break thisdown for you.
(01:22):
She travels all over the world.
She is oh my gosh.
She just does some incrediblethings.
She works with yoga, dance andsomatic, which is fascinating.
She's accredited by theChristian Yoga Association
Master School and theInternational Association of
Yoga Therapists.
She's bringing biblicalprinciples like meditation and
(01:42):
exploring different postures ofprayer found throughout
scripture.
Thank you for being here,michelle, my friend.
Speaker 2 (01:49):
Oh my gosh.
Thank you so much for holdingthis sacred space and having me
on to talk about my two favoritethings Jesus and yoga faith, in
that order.
I really appreciate it.
Speaker 1 (02:00):
I'm so excited.
I met Michelle two years ago,which is crazy that it's been
two years already since I sawyou in person.
I probably had the samereaction a lot of people did
when they were like this isMichelle Thielen of Yoga Faith
and I was like how is that athing?
I would love to hear a littlebit of your background and how
Yoga Faith even came to exist.
Speaker 2 (02:21):
Thank you for asking it During a very lost, dark,
wilderness phase in my life.
I had almost taken my own life.
But the Holy Spirit audiblyspoke to me for the second time
and basically said if I had donethat, I was going to kill my
mom of a broken heart.
And it was really clear and Iknew that wasn't the answer
(02:42):
ultimately.
But it didn't take me out of mydepression.
It was just a really longjourney.
I didn't know what the postureswere called, nor did I care.
I just knew that I didn't havestraight to stand, get out of
bed, brush my teeth, these kindsof things.
But God just took me throughthis journey and he had me read
his word out loud, which wassomething if you deal with
depression.
You don't feel like talking,let alone reading out loud, let
(03:12):
alone opening the word of God.
But this is where our lifechanges and I begin to read how
he wants to bless us and causeus to be the head and not the
tail.
What had led me into depressionwas an affair and divorce and
losing everything.
It was just a really bad time.
During that time were thebeginnings of yoga faith,
without me really knowing it.
It was just a really bad time.
During that time were thebeginnings of yoga faith.
Without me really knowing it,it was these postures of prayer,
these postures of urgency wesee in the Bible.
When people are kneeling,they're in a posture of humility
(03:35):
, a posture of surrender.
When we're flat on our face,these are cries of urgency.
And please, we're also standingin the gap of intercessory
prayer for others.
But also this word meaningintercessory prayer, meaning
begging God, which can includeour own selves.
I didn't know begging God was athing, but I was flat on my
(03:56):
face begging God.
He took me through this journeythat would later become the
foundation of Yoga Feed.
As far as my background, I grewup in a Christian home, but we
don't really get to know Goduntil the valley happens.
We don't want to set up a tentin the valley, but it's
certainly where we can hear fromhim when he strips everything
(04:18):
else away, with or without ourconsent, and we really get to
know exactly who he is If weallow ourselves to go there.
What God can do with asurrendered heart is nothing
short of a miracle.
Through my journey, I was aprofessional dancer with certain
athletic teams and radiostations, and we do all these
(04:39):
promotions, and yoga was a bigpart of our injury prevention
and we did it a couple times aweek as a team.
I remember one instructor sayingthat the universe was inside of
me as I was in my downwardfacing dog and it butted up with
everything I knew.
The universe isn't in me and Ijust silently said, oh God, you
(05:03):
live inside of me, your spiritis inside of us for those who
believe.
And so I was just reallyfocusing on that and so it
became a personal time of prayerand worship.
But it also was reallychallenging because you can't
really enjoy.
You're always reverting yourthoughts.
And so, years and years later,after the depression, your
(05:25):
thoughts.
And so, years and years later,after the depression, after the
healing, I was on my second21-day Daniel fast when God
spoke so clearly to start aChristian yoga school, and I
really did go kicking andscreaming for about a year and a
half.
I did start it, but I still hadquestions.
It was actually my husband,derek, who came through the door
one day and was like I've gotit, it's yoga faith.
I have a name and I immediatelysaw that T is a cross, so that
(05:47):
people would know, and so I doknow that it's definitely the
niche that God has us in,because there is a lot of styles
of yoga or philosophies thatare anti-Christian and
anti-biblical.
But isn't that with anything andeverything?
We see many things in scripture.
We see alcohol and dancing andmusical instruments, and the
(06:10):
list goes on and on.
That's all psalms, right?
Melodic, total sounds is thedefinition of chanting.
These things are creations ofGod, created for us to enjoy,
but ultimately, ultimately bringpeople to him, ultimately
glorify the creator.
And I wanted to just readsomething, one of my favorite
(06:31):
scriptures in what yoga faithultimately is.
This is Colossians 1, 16 and 17, and it's from the Passion
Translation, and I think thissums it up.
For in him was created theuniverse of things, both in the
heavenly realm and on the earth,all that is seen and unseen,
(06:52):
every seat of power, realm ofgovernment, principality and
authority exists through him andfor his purpose.
He existed before anything wasmade and now everything finds
completion in him.
John 1.3 says the same thing,and there's a whole bunch of
(07:13):
scriptures that say this.
And through his creativeinspiration, the living
expression made all things, fornothing has existence apart from
him.
As a Christian, I believe theBible's 100%, infallible,
absolute truth.
So this is the truth I stand onand I hope other Christians
(07:35):
listening can stand on thistruth.
We know the world takes thesecreations and we know they use
them for all kinds of things.
We can take Satanists.
They use musical instruments.
Does that mean we can't playthe drums or the piano in church
?
And so what we do in Yoga Faithis we redeem these biblical
(07:57):
principles, yoga itself meaningunion and unite.
It is not a word we find in theBible, but we certainly find
union and uniting and yoking inthe Bible becoming one.
If you want to get into thedefinition of yoking, the
definition that yoga meanswithin the Bible is the yoking
(08:20):
we find when a man and a womanbecome husband and wife and they
become one.
So it's not the yoke of an oxor the yoke of this or that, it
is them becoming one.
So I really relate that tobecoming one with Christ.
And there's a text in the yogaworld called the sutras, the
yoga sutras that Pantanjali, anunknown author or group of
(08:44):
authors.
That's where we really see thesystemization of yoga and the
journey towards what they callunion or the journey towards
ecstasy and bliss, and so I knowthat we only get that through
Christ as a Christian.
Ultimately, everyone's reallyseeking, but only one man can
fill this, and that's thecreator of the universe himself,
(09:06):
who created all things.
There was nothing or no thingthat was created that wasn't
created by him.
Speaker 1 (09:14):
Okay, I love this so much and obviously I love you
and I already knew your heart,posture and where you were
coming from.
I just love this.
Take this redemption and therestoration you were talking
about.
Isn't that Satan's ultimategoal to take things created by
God and then pervert them anduse them in a way they were not
(09:34):
intended?
I would love and maybe youdon't have an answer.
I feel like I always go verybig general like church culture
questions.
Super interesting how youbrought this up.
Like Satanists use music, sodoes that mean we can't have
music?
Plenty of Christians drink ordo these things and there's not
the same visceral reaction thatwe get with yoga.
I wonder if you have anyinsight.
A lot of contributors.
(09:54):
It goes way back.
Speaker 2 (10:07):
As far as a Christian , I believe our lineage is
Christ, but there are differentlineages of surrender and
devotion.
For a long time the Hindus andBuddhists have used the practice
to worship in their faith, andthere's many other religions,
cultures, faiths or lack offaith.
(10:27):
There's just a supreme higherbeing or some source out there.
But people do use yoga as aspiritual practice.
There's other people who don't.
They just use yoga as exercisepractice.
There's other people who don't.
They just use yoga as exercise.
But why, as a Christian, wouldwe take God out of anything that
we do?
A lot of people say God first,family work, it's really God in
(10:51):
church.
Right, it's not like churchfamily work.
It's like God is first, yes,but he's also God in our family.
He's also God in our children,god in our vocation.
We don't go to work and takehim out.
We don't go wherever and takehim out.
I don't go exercise or dothings without being a Christian
(11:12):
or without God being in thecenter of my life, in all things
we do unto him.
And the word says to praywithout ceasing.
I really believe that meanslike breath prayers.
God was saying never stoppraying and I believe that's
because it's the breath in ourlungs with every breath.
It is Yahweh right, it is theinhale and the yaw and the
exhale on the way.
Even unbelievers are saying hisname with every breath.
(11:34):
So we're breathing, our breathis a prayer, our life is a
sacrifice and we're doingeverything unto the Lord and we
really want to take people toheaven with us.
Ultimately, that's the meganarrative of the gospel right
Pointing to heaven.
(11:54):
We are redeeming biblicalprinciples for the glory of God,
for the one who created them,are redeeming biblical
principles for the glory of Godfor the one who created them.
And I think a lot of times inyoga we see new age practices.
There's a style calledKundalini that's very
anti-Christian In the philosophy, in the energy and breath work.
It's a style that we do nothave anything to do with in yoga
(12:17):
faith and I encourage people,if they want to call their
classes that for some reason,that you would leave our name
out of it because it is, like Isaid, anti-christian.
You can go to a yoga class andsee people worshiping the stones
or worshiping gems or crystalsor saying all kinds of things.
(12:38):
But don't we see that anywherewe go and we always want to be
sure that the Holy Spirit haskept me in rooms or he has taken
me out.
I've been to yoga spaces wherethey start channeling, and the
Holy Spirit has had me leave.
There's been other classeswhere they're chanting.
I don't know what they'rechanting, but he gave me
(12:59):
permission to stay in the tune,singing hallelujah.
And how beautiful of this loveand community and union with
others that we could allcollectively worship.
For me it was Christ, and forthem I'm not sure who, but it's
not for me to judge.
And so I just ask the HolySpirit if he wants me to leave
(13:21):
when I'm not sure who, but it'snot for me to judge.
And so I just ask the HolySpirit if he wants me to leave
when I come across those things.
Most of the time it's stay, butyes, channeling I'm not going
to stay in that space, but youcan come across wherever you go
during your day, and that's justa fact.
Anything can land on us at anytime, even in a church.
Speaker 1 (13:39):
Pew, ooh she said even in a church pew.
Speaker 2 (13:43):
Come on somebody.
Speaker 1 (13:45):
She said it because that is true, like you.
There's all kinds of things outthere and I was going to ask
because I know I've gotten thisquestion how can you be in a
room with people who believedifferently or practice
differently?
Or witchcraft, whatever wordthey're going to use?
They almost judge yourrelationship with the Lord.
Clearly you're not hearing fromGod because you don't have the
(14:07):
same spirit or whatever it isfrom me.
They look down on you.
Do you experience that?
Speaker 2 (14:12):
I think they tend to have a very long index finger
and the Bible tells us not tojudge lest we be judged with the
same measure that we judge.
However, we'll see otherscriptures that say judge their
fruit.
I'm encouraging us to be HolySpirit led in humility, If we're
in the Bible and we're goingtowards God, that we would
(14:35):
actually be fruit inspectors,that we would judge the fruit.
He says to judge.
We are qualified as a Christfollower to judge the fruit.
He says to judge the fruit.
We are qualified as a Christfollower to judge the fruit.
We're all on this journey.
We haven't arrived at thedestination.
I'm not a hypocrite because I'mnot quite there yet.
I'm on my way and so are you,but you cannot judge how I
(14:55):
worship or how I pray or how Godhas led me to do this work
because, believe me, I've heardit all and if God doesn't defend
himself on the way to the cross, I'm going.
Michelle, how can I defend him?
You let them say all thesethings to you and spit on you
and beat you.
You never sent a word to defendyour pure, innocent self.
(15:17):
We know our hearts, we know ourintentions.
We know that 11 years ago, Godcalled us to this work.
Ministry is not easy.
This is a deliverance ministry.
We've seen so many people setfree.
We've seen physical healings.
We've seen marriages restoredBecause people are getting
healed themselves.
They can heal around them.
(15:38):
We've seen this beautifulhealing take place.
We know that God's beendelivering people through
YogaFace since 2013, and there'sgoing to be opinions from all
sides.
There's a lot of yogis who areokay with God, but maybe not the
name Jesus, and there's a lotof Jesus people who are not okay
(15:59):
with yoga.
We stay on our track.
Lemon, you know this.
You've got a mantle to carry.
All these other things aredistractions.
When we stop to address oneheckler, that's time that we
could be spending with God orleaving somebody to God.
Speaker 1 (16:16):
Okay, see, this is why she's my friend.
I'm obsessed with you.
I just want to carry you in mypocket everywhere I go.
You can be like listen'mobsessed with you.
I just want to carry you in mypocket everywhere I go.
You can be like listen, lemon,you don't have to do that it's
so funny.
I love this conversation becauseI see it all the time people
who have such a strong religiousspirit.
It is intense.
(16:37):
I used to be one of thosepeople when I got my master's in
apologetics and theology.
That community as a whole verylovely, amazing people, very
judgmental, yeah, Witheverything they're doing, and I
was like this is reallystressful.
Honestly, it was stressful tobe in an environment like that
all the time, where everythingwe're doing we're questioning
(16:58):
Did you hear from God?
A couple of years ago, Peopleflipped out because Joanna
Gaines said that God told her tostart Magnolia and they're like
you can't hear from God.
Full on, judged her, boycottedher.
People were up in arms Like youcan't hear from God anymore.
It's not biblical it's extrarevelation.
Speaker 2 (17:15):
I love that you have your degree and your master's in
theology and apologetics,because I think that's really
important, not for everyone togo get their master's, but for
everyone to know their truth.
And that's what apologeticsreally ultimately is that we
know why we believe what webelieve that we would have an
answer.
(17:35):
That's what scripture says thatwe would always be ready with
an answer.
It doesn't mean that we have toget defensive.
It can mean that we're on ajourney and that is our answer.
(18:04):
And for me, my degree is inarchitecture and I love of India
and now we've got the yoga ofEgypt, scholars saying that it
predates the yoga of India.
So for all of us Christian andyogis or Christian yogis or
whatever side of the spectrumyou fall in that we would stand
in our own authentic truth, beled by the Holy Spirit.
Open your Bible, read your word.
Meditation, chanting, dancingit's all in there.
We don't have to be like Davidand take our clothes off to
(18:26):
dance.
But I do want to say that theworld has taken that and they do
dance naked.
We see dancing in the Bible.
It doesn't mean we take ourclothes off and call it
glorifying God In Westerncivilization.
That's just not what we do, butI do want people to see that in
the Bible they do these things.
There's things that we don't do.
(18:47):
Post-resurrection, right AfterJesus ascended, we have all this
grace and the law is no more.
But just like Jesus said thisreligious spirit and that you're
talking about.
But just like Jesus said, thisreligious spirit and that you're
talking about, there'sPharisees.
No matter what we do and Ithink that's just a fact of life
, I don't think it goes away wejust need the Holy Spirit to
(19:11):
lead us and guide us and knowour truth, as apologetics teach
us.
Why is this our truth?
And for people who are like Ijust can't do yoga freely and
feel okay about it, you don'thave to Like this is what God
has called me and thousands ofother people too.
(19:32):
But he might call you tosomething else, and that's the
thing that you should doWhatever draws you nearer to
Christ, so that he draws nearerto us, because in all of
scripture, we always go first,right, god doesn't move.
We seek, we draw near, we knock.
I pray that they really findthat thing, because prayer and
(20:03):
meditation is challenging, right.
The enemy does not want us tobe still or to hear from our
Father, because that's where weget our assignments, that's
where we go change the world.
We're not a threat to the enemyif we're not kingdom building,
if we're just going to churchand doing nothing.
That's not a threat to theenemy.
(20:24):
If you're the enemy, you'regoing to want to keep us so busy
, so confused, so distractedthat you don't get time, and
that's where a lot of us are.
And so prayer and meditation,obviously, is biblical
commandments.
Resting, taking a Sabbath thatmade the top 10, right that we
would take a Sabbath and honorit.
Only those who are of God findthat true rest.
(20:47):
Non-believers don't find thatinteresting.
So I pray that people just haveeyes to see and ears to hear
and be.
Holy Spirit led to that thingthat draws you closer to the
heart of God, and for me it'syoga faith.
He asked me to start it.
I didn't want to start it.
I was actually fasting for ajob that had a paycheck and
health insurance, and I got yogafaith.
(21:10):
I got a life's mission andpurpose.
Speaker 1 (21:13):
I feel like God has such a funny sense of humor
sometimes, where you're like,hey God, I would just love some
general direction.
This is where I think I want togo, just looking for a little
confirmation.
Actually, I'm just going touproot your whole life, thank
you, which is great.
I love you and I love whatyou're doing.
If I were going to come to hangout with you and take a class
or be with one of your yogafaith instructors, what does
that actually look like?
(21:34):
To do it with Jesus at thecenter?
Speaker 2 (21:37):
Oh my gosh, it's so beautiful and it's really hard
to put words into the beautifulexperience.
Most of us have crosses that wehave at the front and it really
just sets our heart andintentions on Him and we all
start in prayer.
Some of us have worship musicplaying.
(21:57):
If it's power, like I love toteach, it'll be more upbeat and
maybe a vinyasa powerful flow.
Some of us are more gentle orlike to hold postures like yin,
but no matter what, yoga faithclasses will always include
prayer, scripture and just aHoly Spirit-led teacher who says
(22:19):
whatever the Holy Spirit placeson their heart.
There's individual prayer.
If somebody needs actualphysical healing, the postures
are all to point to him.
Some people do themes likethey'll do seated postures as
seen in the Bible.
We see seated so often when wego and say to God we're ready to
hear from you or meditate onhim.
Flat on the face standingposture typically display
(22:44):
adoration, praise or worship.
Flat on our back is justsurrender.
Sometimes we're just likethrowing in the towel.
We're like I'm done, Lord.
So we see a lot of being flaton the back and it's also very
vulnerable.
A lot of laying in bed flat onthe back, tired, crying,
drowning in tears, Surrender.
(23:05):
You'll go through these posturesas prayer and as worship, and
it's really quite beautiful.
Through the day, there's plentyof opportunity to have our
hearts broken or to be offended,so backbends are short openers.
You can catch me daily doing aheart opener.
Just because it gets hurt, itgets never offended.
(23:28):
I've learned to live withoutoffense a long time ago with
John Bevere's Bait of Satan.
It really is the bait of Satan.
There's these times where wecan open back our heart after
it's been broken or jaded oroffended, or there's
unforgiveness or hatred or angerin there, and so there's
specific postures for specificthings too, and so, no matter
what the class will cover,postures maybe getting upside
(23:51):
down and inhaling a newperspective they're so beautiful
, but they're also different andunique, as our instructors are
all around the world and justteaching from their own
God-given anointing, and it'ssuch a beautiful thing.
Speaker 1 (24:08):
I love just how like spirit-led it is and I love that
you talked about earlier.
You talked about how systematicit's become and yours is God's
going to come and do what God'sgoing to do.
We talked about this before wehit record, where I told
Michelle I don't really prep alot of questions, the spirit's
going to do.
We talked about this before wehit record, where I told
Michelle I don't really prep alot of questions, the Spirit's
going to lead.
However, he's going to lead,which is great.
That's how I teach my classestoo.
Whatever Spirit's moving is howwe're moving and grooving that
(24:31):
day Amen.
I just love the space for Himto come and work and I love what
you said about just being stilland being able to hear from Him
.
I think it's a design of theenemy that we're so busy all the
time.
We're so overscheduled,especially in Western culture.
I think it's just like our kidsare the most scheduled
generation ever.
There's so much going on allthe time.
(24:51):
I believe us as parents likeoverly scheduled too, and I'm
like, yeah, of course that justmakes sense because there's no
time to sit and be present andbuild relationship and all those
kind of things.
So I just think that whatyou're doing is so incredibly
beautiful and I'm so proud ofyou and the work that you do and
the way that you pour out topeople.
(25:12):
I think it's just so beautiful.
Speaker 2 (25:14):
Thank you, lemon, I appreciate that.
Speaker 1 (25:16):
Yeah.
So if somebody was listeningand they were like okay,
Michelle, I'd be interested inexploring more about yoga phase
or taking a class with somebodywho does this, Because I was a
dancer and a cheerleader a lotof stretching all the time.
When I looked at yoga, I'm likeit feels like everything that I
did before and aftercheerleading practice to make
sure I didn't hurt myself, andyou talked about it being an
(25:38):
injury prevention too.
So if somebody was like, okay,I want to explore this a little
bit more, how could they go andexplore what you're doing?
Speaker 2 (25:48):
Thank you so much for asking.
I hope they would explore itbecause it's such a beautiful
thing and I feel honored andprivileged that God chose me.
And he did say if you ask meone more time, I will give it to
someone else.
So that was a year and a halfinto and I was like, okay, I'll
never ask you again, because Iwas like Lord, what are you
doing?
And he talked to me again.
I do hope that people who areinterested and who do want to
(26:12):
fully worship mind, body, spiritand soul to the creator of the
universe, that they would find alocal instructor.
We have a website with adirectory, so our website's
yogafaithorg, and then there's aresource tab and under that
resource tab is a lot of likefree resources and all of that,
but also the directory.
As far as teaching yoga faith,we are a school.
(26:34):
We've been around since 2013.
We're the only Christian schoolthat is accredited with the
International Association ofYoga Therapists, so that is
divine favor.
We have a lot of otheraccreditations, but we have
programs that are 20 hours to athousand hours with our yoga
therapy program, and you cantake it online.
You can come see us in person.
(26:55):
You can do a hybrid of both.
So if that's of interest to youin spreading the gospel through
a yoga mat, yogafaithorg is ourwebsite.
Speaker 1 (27:05):
I love this and you guys should go connect with her,
because I wish you could justsee her.
I think Michelle is truly oneof the most kind and generous
and loving women that I haveever met.
You can't help but look at herand be happy.
Speaker 2 (27:20):
I love her.
Speaker 1 (27:23):
She's like a ball of sunshine.
If you were going to leave thelisteners with a final piece of
advice or a final thought thatyou want to share with them
around this whole topic, what?
Speaker 2 (27:31):
would it be In general, not specific to yoga
faith?
I want to say it's getting late.
We need to make sure our homesare clean and we are preparing
for a glorious bride to comeback.
I want to say it's getting late.
We need to make sure our homesare clean and we are preparing
for a glorious bride to comeback.
I want to let people know thatthe enemy has assigned a demon
over your rooftop.
This isn't the light, fluffyclosing remark.
(27:52):
This is telling you that thetime and the hour is late, and
I'm praying that you would beginto really see the enemy's
schemes.
He's busy.
This is his full-time job toprowl and look for open doors
and windows.
Imagine, because this is true,there is a demon assigned to you
(28:15):
, looking and prowling.
So I pray that we, asChristians, would rise up and
know our authority and power andstrength in the Holy Spirit
that dwells with us, that Jesussaid we're to do greater things,
that you would start to protectyour thresholds.
Who comes into your home?
Who comes into your car?
(28:35):
Who comes into your sacredspaces and relationships?
Are you in rooms that you don'tbelong in?
I know that I was.
Maybe somebody dragged me there, maybe I wandered in there, but
God has new rooms for you and Iwant to say that he's trying to
birth something new and giveyou a new delivery team.
There's a lot of chatter in thewaiting room.
(28:56):
Many of us listen to thatchatter and I mentioned it
earlier with lemon.
That is distracting and it'staking us away from our calling
and our mantle.
We are supposed to be gettingabout our father's business,
know that the hour is late andthe time is short.
Let's get our house in order,our life in order, and prepare
(29:21):
for eternity and take peoplewith us.
Who are we taking with us andwhat are we doing to take them
with us?
Speaker 1 (29:28):
Oh my gosh.
You totally just mentioned someof my favorite scriptures in
that closing statement.
I agree.
This one about Jesus sayinggreater works, I think
personally the hardest scripturefor me to grapple with.
I feel like I have to read itat least once a week.
You said that.
I accept that.
You said it, but that's wild,so wild.
Speaker 2 (29:47):
But he needs to hear this too.
Yes, god is the God who was andis to come.
But we are living in the is.
We don't know Lot's wife's name.
God never said remember Mary orremember Esther or remember.
He just said remember Lot'swife.
Lot's wife longingly lookedback.
(30:07):
She didn't just look back.
She looked back because shewanted to stay.
God is trying to take someonelistening to someplace new.
You need a new delivery team,but you can't go into the new
when you're looking back.
We know what happened to her.
So I think it's odd that hesaid remember someone that
(30:29):
doesn't even have a name, justLot's wife.
So I wanted to reintegrate toremember Lot's wife and look up,
look forward.
Stop looking to the left and tothe right.
It's just pure enemy sentdistraction.
Speaker 1 (30:46):
Guys, I'm going to have to bring Michelle back,
just so we can have a wholesermon thing from her.
You know how to find me.
You guys have to connect withher.
I'm so grateful that you'rehere and that this is wild, so
for you, I'm so grateful thatyou're here and that this is
wild.
Speaker 2 (31:03):
So for you, I'm so grateful.
Speaker 1 (31:05):
So just thank you for being here.
Y'all.
Please go connect with Michelle, pause this rewind, get a pen
and paper journal about what shejust said at the end, because I
know that it's for you.
So please take it to yourfather and reflect on what she
said.
I think there's a lot you canget out of the last 90 seconds
of our conversation alone.
I just love you, michelle.
Thank you for being here.
(31:25):
Until next time, friend.
Speaker 2 (31:28):
I love you too and I pray that God continues to bless
the work of your hands and giveyou double portion and double
for your trouble, and thank youso much for having me.
I'll continue to pray for youand your listeners.
Speaker 1 (31:44):
Thank you, friend.
Hey friend, what a joy it hasbeen to share today's journey
with you.
If you found a spark ofinspiration or a nugget of
wisdom that resonated, would youbless someone else by sharing
this episode with them?
It could be the encouragementthey need to step into their
purpose and calling.
Also, if you could spare amoment to leave a review, it
(32:09):
would mean the world to me.
I really appreciate yourfeedback and it really helps our
community grow.
Remember, the road todiscovering God's call for you
isn't one you have to walk alone.
So join me again next Mondayfor another episode where we'll
continue to explore the depthsof leadership and the heights of
our heavenly calling.
Until then, keep seeking, keepgrowing and keep trusting in his
plan.
God bless you and I'll catchyou on the flip side.
Bye, friend.
Hey, I'm Lemon.
I am just like you, sisterfriend.
Talk about stepping into thatoverflow that God has for us by
becoming those ultimate Proverbs31 women.
Hey, I'm Lemon.
I am just like you, sisterfriend.
I knew God had something morein store for me, but I couldn't
see a way out of the laundrypiles and, frankly, I resented
that.
Proverbs 31 woman.
How was I going to live up tothe hype?
(00:39):
That is until I found out howto really step into becoming
this Proverbs 31 woman throughleadership development.
In this podcast you're going tofind financial freedom,
leadership, growth andmotivation so you'll be able to
do all the things God has calledyou to do with ease and really
step into that land of milk andhoney.
Welcome back to the Milk andHoney podcast.
(01:00):
I'm your host, lemon Price.
I am so excited because I havemy friend, michelle Thielen here
.
She is the founder of YogaFaith and do not panic, do not
turn me off for anything.
I'm really excited to just talkabout this because I guarantee
you're probably sitting herelike yoga and faith.
They don't go together, butthey do.
Michelle is going to break thisdown for you.
(01:22):
She travels all over the world.
She is oh my gosh.
She just does some incrediblethings.
She works with yoga, dance andsomatic, which is fascinating.
She's accredited by theChristian Yoga Association
Master School and theInternational Association of
Yoga Therapists.
She's bringing biblicalprinciples like meditation and
(01:42):
exploring different postures ofprayer found throughout
scripture.
Thank you for being here,michelle, my friend.
Speaker 2 (01:49):
Oh my gosh.
Thank you so much for holdingthis sacred space and having me
on to talk about my two favoritethings Jesus and yoga faith, in
that order.
I really appreciate it.
Speaker 1 (02:00):
I'm so excited.
I met Michelle two years ago,which is crazy that it's been
two years already since I sawyou in person.
I probably had the samereaction a lot of people did
when they were like this isMichelle Thielen of Yoga Faith
and I was like how is that athing?
I would love to hear a littlebit of your background and how
Yoga Faith even came to exist.
Speaker 2 (02:21):
Thank you for asking it During a very lost, dark,
wilderness phase in my life.
I had almost taken my own life.
But the Holy Spirit audiblyspoke to me for the second time
and basically said if I had donethat, I was going to kill my
mom of a broken heart.
And it was really clear and Iknew that wasn't the answer
(02:42):
ultimately.
But it didn't take me out of mydepression.
It was just a really longjourney.
I didn't know what the postureswere called, nor did I care.
I just knew that I didn't havestraight to stand, get out of
bed, brush my teeth, these kindsof things.
But God just took me throughthis journey and he had me read
his word out loud, which wassomething if you deal with
depression.
You don't feel like talking,let alone reading out loud, let
(03:12):
alone opening the word of God.
But this is where our lifechanges and I begin to read how
he wants to bless us and causeus to be the head and not the
tail.
What had led me into depressionwas an affair and divorce and
losing everything.
It was just a really bad time.
During that time were thebeginnings of yoga faith,
without me really knowing it.
It was just a really bad time.
During that time were thebeginnings of yoga faith.
Without me really knowing it,it was these postures of prayer,
these postures of urgency wesee in the Bible.
When people are kneeling,they're in a posture of humility
(03:35):
, a posture of surrender.
When we're flat on our face,these are cries of urgency.
And please, we're also standingin the gap of intercessory
prayer for others.
But also this word meaningintercessory prayer, meaning
begging God, which can includeour own selves.
I didn't know begging God was athing, but I was flat on my
(03:56):
face begging God.
He took me through this journeythat would later become the
foundation of Yoga Feed.
As far as my background, I grewup in a Christian home, but we
don't really get to know Goduntil the valley happens.
We don't want to set up a tentin the valley, but it's
certainly where we can hear fromhim when he strips everything
(04:18):
else away, with or without ourconsent, and we really get to
know exactly who he is If weallow ourselves to go there.
What God can do with asurrendered heart is nothing
short of a miracle.
Through my journey, I was aprofessional dancer with certain
athletic teams and radiostations, and we do all these
(04:39):
promotions, and yoga was a bigpart of our injury prevention
and we did it a couple times aweek as a team.
I remember one instructor sayingthat the universe was inside of
me as I was in my downwardfacing dog and it butted up with
everything I knew.
The universe isn't in me and Ijust silently said, oh God, you
(05:03):
live inside of me, your spiritis inside of us for those who
believe.
And so I was just reallyfocusing on that and so it
became a personal time of prayerand worship.
But it also was reallychallenging because you can't
really enjoy.
You're always reverting yourthoughts.
And so, years and years later,after the depression, your
(05:25):
thoughts.
And so, years and years later,after the depression, after the
healing, I was on my second21-day Daniel fast when God
spoke so clearly to start aChristian yoga school, and I
really did go kicking andscreaming for about a year and a
half.
I did start it, but I still hadquestions.
It was actually my husband,derek, who came through the door
one day and was like I've gotit, it's yoga faith.
I have a name and I immediatelysaw that T is a cross, so that
(05:47):
people would know, and so I doknow that it's definitely the
niche that God has us in,because there is a lot of styles
of yoga or philosophies thatare anti-Christian and
anti-biblical.
But isn't that with anything andeverything?
We see many things in scripture.
We see alcohol and dancing andmusical instruments, and the
(06:10):
list goes on and on.
That's all psalms, right?
Melodic, total sounds is thedefinition of chanting.
These things are creations ofGod, created for us to enjoy,
but ultimately, ultimately bringpeople to him, ultimately
glorify the creator.
And I wanted to just readsomething, one of my favorite
(06:31):
scriptures in what yoga faithultimately is.
This is Colossians 1, 16 and 17, and it's from the Passion
Translation, and I think thissums it up.
For in him was created theuniverse of things, both in the
heavenly realm and on the earth,all that is seen and unseen,
(06:52):
every seat of power, realm ofgovernment, principality and
authority exists through him andfor his purpose.
He existed before anything wasmade and now everything finds
completion in him.
John 1.3 says the same thing,and there's a whole bunch of
(07:13):
scriptures that say this.
And through his creativeinspiration, the living
expression made all things, fornothing has existence apart from
him.
As a Christian, I believe theBible's 100%, infallible,
absolute truth.
So this is the truth I stand onand I hope other Christians
(07:35):
listening can stand on thistruth.
We know the world takes thesecreations and we know they use
them for all kinds of things.
We can take Satanists.
They use musical instruments.
Does that mean we can't playthe drums or the piano in church
?
And so what we do in Yoga Faithis we redeem these biblical
(07:57):
principles, yoga itself meaningunion and unite.
It is not a word we find in theBible, but we certainly find
union and uniting and yoking inthe Bible becoming one.
If you want to get into thedefinition of yoking, the
definition that yoga meanswithin the Bible is the yoking
(08:20):
we find when a man and a womanbecome husband and wife and they
become one.
So it's not the yoke of an oxor the yoke of this or that, it
is them becoming one.
So I really relate that tobecoming one with Christ.
And there's a text in the yogaworld called the sutras, the
yoga sutras that Pantanjali, anunknown author or group of
(08:44):
authors.
That's where we really see thesystemization of yoga and the
journey towards what they callunion or the journey towards
ecstasy and bliss, and so I knowthat we only get that through
Christ as a Christian.
Ultimately, everyone's reallyseeking, but only one man can
fill this, and that's thecreator of the universe himself,
(09:06):
who created all things.
There was nothing or no thingthat was created that wasn't
created by him.
Speaker 1 (09:14):
Okay, I love this so much and obviously I love you
and I already knew your heart,posture and where you were
coming from.
I just love this.
Take this redemption and therestoration you were talking
about.
Isn't that Satan's ultimategoal to take things created by
God and then pervert them anduse them in a way they were not
(09:34):
intended?
I would love and maybe youdon't have an answer.
I feel like I always go verybig general like church culture
questions.
Super interesting how youbrought this up.
Like Satanists use music, sodoes that mean we can't have
music?
Plenty of Christians drink ordo these things and there's not
the same visceral reaction thatwe get with yoga.
I wonder if you have anyinsight.
A lot of contributors.
(09:54):
It goes way back.
Speaker 2 (10:07):
As far as a Christian , I believe our lineage is
Christ, but there are differentlineages of surrender and
devotion.
For a long time the Hindus andBuddhists have used the practice
to worship in their faith, andthere's many other religions,
cultures, faiths or lack offaith.
(10:27):
There's just a supreme higherbeing or some source out there.
But people do use yoga as aspiritual practice.
There's other people who don't.
They just use yoga as exercisepractice.
There's other people who don't.
They just use yoga as exercise.
But why, as a Christian, wouldwe take God out of anything that
we do?
A lot of people say God first,family work, it's really God in
(10:51):
church.
Right, it's not like churchfamily work.
It's like God is first, yes,but he's also God in our family.
He's also God in our children,god in our vocation.
We don't go to work and takehim out.
We don't go wherever and takehim out.
I don't go exercise or dothings without being a Christian
(11:12):
or without God being in thecenter of my life, in all things
we do unto him.
And the word says to praywithout ceasing.
I really believe that meanslike breath prayers.
God was saying never stoppraying and I believe that's
because it's the breath in ourlungs with every breath.
It is Yahweh right, it is theinhale and the yaw and the
exhale on the way.
Even unbelievers are saying hisname with every breath.
(11:34):
So we're breathing, our breathis a prayer, our life is a
sacrifice and we're doingeverything unto the Lord and we
really want to take people toheaven with us.
Ultimately, that's the meganarrative of the gospel right
Pointing to heaven.
(11:54):
We are redeeming biblicalprinciples for the glory of God,
for the one who created them,are redeeming biblical
principles for the glory of Godfor the one who created them.
And I think a lot of times inyoga we see new age practices.
There's a style calledKundalini that's very
anti-Christian In the philosophy, in the energy and breath work.
It's a style that we do nothave anything to do with in yoga
(12:17):
faith and I encourage people,if they want to call their
classes that for some reason,that you would leave our name
out of it because it is, like Isaid, anti-christian.
You can go to a yoga class andsee people worshiping the stones
or worshiping gems or crystalsor saying all kinds of things.
(12:38):
But don't we see that anywherewe go and we always want to be
sure that the Holy Spirit haskept me in rooms or he has taken
me out.
I've been to yoga spaces wherethey start channeling, and the
Holy Spirit has had me leave.
There's been other classeswhere they're chanting.
I don't know what they'rechanting, but he gave me
(12:59):
permission to stay in the tune,singing hallelujah.
And how beautiful of this loveand community and union with
others that we could allcollectively worship.
For me it was Christ, and forthem I'm not sure who, but it's
not for me to judge.
And so I just ask the HolySpirit if he wants me to leave
(13:21):
when I'm not sure who, but it'snot for me to judge.
And so I just ask the HolySpirit if he wants me to leave
when I come across those things.
Most of the time it's stay, butyes, channeling I'm not going
to stay in that space, but youcan come across wherever you go
during your day, and that's justa fact.
Anything can land on us at anytime, even in a church.
Speaker 1 (13:39):
Pew, ooh she said even in a church pew.
Speaker 2 (13:43):
Come on somebody.
Speaker 1 (13:45):
She said it because that is true, like you.
There's all kinds of things outthere and I was going to ask
because I know I've gotten thisquestion how can you be in a
room with people who believedifferently or practice
differently?
Or witchcraft, whatever wordthey're going to use?
They almost judge yourrelationship with the Lord.
Clearly you're not hearing fromGod because you don't have the
(14:07):
same spirit or whatever it isfrom me.
They look down on you.
Do you experience that?
Speaker 2 (14:12):
I think they tend to have a very long index finger
and the Bible tells us not tojudge lest we be judged with the
same measure that we judge.
However, we'll see otherscriptures that say judge their
fruit.
I'm encouraging us to be HolySpirit led in humility, If we're
in the Bible and we're goingtowards God, that we would
(14:35):
actually be fruit inspectors,that we would judge the fruit.
He says to judge.
We are qualified as a Christfollower to judge the fruit.
He says to judge the fruit.
We are qualified as a Christfollower to judge the fruit.
We're all on this journey.
We haven't arrived at thedestination.
I'm not a hypocrite because I'mnot quite there yet.
I'm on my way and so are you,but you cannot judge how I
(14:55):
worship or how I pray or how Godhas led me to do this work
because, believe me, I've heardit all and if God doesn't defend
himself on the way to the cross, I'm going.
Michelle, how can I defend him?
You let them say all thesethings to you and spit on you
and beat you.
You never sent a word to defendyour pure, innocent self.
(15:17):
We know our hearts, we know ourintentions.
We know that 11 years ago, Godcalled us to this work.
Ministry is not easy.
This is a deliverance ministry.
We've seen so many people setfree.
We've seen physical healings.
We've seen marriages restoredBecause people are getting
healed themselves.
They can heal around them.
(15:38):
We've seen this beautifulhealing take place.
We know that God's beendelivering people through
YogaFace since 2013, and there'sgoing to be opinions from all
sides.
There's a lot of yogis who areokay with God, but maybe not the
name Jesus, and there's a lotof Jesus people who are not okay
(15:59):
with yoga.
We stay on our track.
Lemon, you know this.
You've got a mantle to carry.
All these other things aredistractions.
When we stop to address oneheckler, that's time that we
could be spending with God orleaving somebody to God.
Speaker 1 (16:16):
Okay, see, this is why she's my friend.
I'm obsessed with you.
I just want to carry you in mypocket everywhere I go.
You can be like listen'mobsessed with you.
I just want to carry you in mypocket everywhere I go.
You can be like listen, lemon,you don't have to do that it's
so funny.
I love this conversation becauseI see it all the time people
who have such a strong religiousspirit.
It is intense.
(16:37):
I used to be one of thosepeople when I got my master's in
apologetics and theology.
That community as a whole verylovely, amazing people, very
judgmental, yeah, Witheverything they're doing, and I
was like this is reallystressful.
Honestly, it was stressful tobe in an environment like that
all the time, where everythingwe're doing we're questioning
(16:58):
Did you hear from God?
A couple of years ago, Peopleflipped out because Joanna
Gaines said that God told her tostart Magnolia and they're like
you can't hear from God.
Full on, judged her, boycottedher.
People were up in arms Like youcan't hear from God anymore.
It's not biblical it's extrarevelation.
Speaker 2 (17:15):
I love that you have your degree and your master's in
theology and apologetics,because I think that's really
important, not for everyone togo get their master's, but for
everyone to know their truth.
And that's what apologeticsreally ultimately is that we
know why we believe what webelieve that we would have an
answer.
(17:35):
That's what scripture says thatwe would always be ready with
an answer.
It doesn't mean that we have toget defensive.
It can mean that we're on ajourney and that is our answer.
(18:04):
And for me, my degree is inarchitecture and I love of India
and now we've got the yoga ofEgypt, scholars saying that it
predates the yoga of India.
So for all of us Christian andyogis or Christian yogis or
whatever side of the spectrumyou fall in that we would stand
in our own authentic truth, beled by the Holy Spirit.
Open your Bible, read your word.
Meditation, chanting, dancingit's all in there.
We don't have to be like Davidand take our clothes off to
(18:26):
dance.
But I do want to say that theworld has taken that and they do
dance naked.
We see dancing in the Bible.
It doesn't mean we take ourclothes off and call it
glorifying God In Westerncivilization.
That's just not what we do, butI do want people to see that in
the Bible they do these things.
There's things that we don't do.
(18:47):
Post-resurrection, right AfterJesus ascended, we have all this
grace and the law is no more.
But just like Jesus said thisreligious spirit and that you're
talking about.
But just like Jesus said, thisreligious spirit and that you're
talking about, there'sPharisees.
No matter what we do and Ithink that's just a fact of life
, I don't think it goes away wejust need the Holy Spirit to
(19:11):
lead us and guide us and knowour truth, as apologetics teach
us.
Why is this our truth?
And for people who are like Ijust can't do yoga freely and
feel okay about it, you don'thave to Like this is what God
has called me and thousands ofother people too.
(19:32):
But he might call you tosomething else, and that's the
thing that you should doWhatever draws you nearer to
Christ, so that he draws nearerto us, because in all of
scripture, we always go first,right, god doesn't move.
We seek, we draw near, we knock.
I pray that they really findthat thing, because prayer and
(20:03):
meditation is challenging, right.
The enemy does not want us tobe still or to hear from our
Father, because that's where weget our assignments, that's
where we go change the world.
We're not a threat to the enemyif we're not kingdom building,
if we're just going to churchand doing nothing.
That's not a threat to theenemy.
(20:24):
If you're the enemy, you'regoing to want to keep us so busy
, so confused, so distractedthat you don't get time, and
that's where a lot of us are.
And so prayer and meditation,obviously, is biblical
commandments.
Resting, taking a Sabbath thatmade the top 10, right that we
would take a Sabbath and honorit.
Only those who are of God findthat true rest.
(20:47):
Non-believers don't find thatinteresting.
So I pray that people just haveeyes to see and ears to hear
and be.
Holy Spirit led to that thingthat draws you closer to the
heart of God, and for me it'syoga faith.
He asked me to start it.
I didn't want to start it.
I was actually fasting for ajob that had a paycheck and
health insurance, and I got yogafaith.
(21:10):
I got a life's mission andpurpose.
Speaker 1 (21:13):
I feel like God has such a funny sense of humor
sometimes, where you're like,hey God, I would just love some
general direction.
This is where I think I want togo, just looking for a little
confirmation.
Actually, I'm just going touproot your whole life, thank
you, which is great.
I love you and I love whatyou're doing.
If I were going to come to hangout with you and take a class
or be with one of your yogafaith instructors, what does
that actually look like?
(21:34):
To do it with Jesus at thecenter?
Speaker 2 (21:37):
Oh my gosh, it's so beautiful and it's really hard
to put words into the beautifulexperience.
Most of us have crosses that wehave at the front and it really
just sets our heart andintentions on Him and we all
start in prayer.
Some of us have worship musicplaying.
(21:57):
If it's power, like I love toteach, it'll be more upbeat and
maybe a vinyasa powerful flow.
Some of us are more gentle orlike to hold postures like yin,
but no matter what, yoga faithclasses will always include
prayer, scripture and just aHoly Spirit-led teacher who says
(22:19):
whatever the Holy Spirit placeson their heart.
There's individual prayer.
If somebody needs actualphysical healing, the postures
are all to point to him.
Some people do themes likethey'll do seated postures as
seen in the Bible.
We see seated so often when wego and say to God we're ready to
hear from you or meditate onhim.
Flat on the face standingposture typically display
(22:44):
adoration, praise or worship.
Flat on our back is justsurrender.
Sometimes we're just likethrowing in the towel.
We're like I'm done, Lord.
So we see a lot of being flaton the back and it's also very
vulnerable.
A lot of laying in bed flat onthe back, tired, crying,
drowning in tears, Surrender.
(23:05):
You'll go through these posturesas prayer and as worship, and
it's really quite beautiful.
Through the day, there's plentyof opportunity to have our
hearts broken or to be offended,so backbends are short openers.
You can catch me daily doing aheart opener.
Just because it gets hurt, itgets never offended.
(23:28):
I've learned to live withoutoffense a long time ago with
John Bevere's Bait of Satan.
It really is the bait of Satan.
There's these times where wecan open back our heart after
it's been broken or jaded oroffended, or there's
unforgiveness or hatred or angerin there, and so there's
specific postures for specificthings too, and so, no matter
what the class will cover,postures maybe getting upside
(23:51):
down and inhaling a newperspective they're so beautiful
, but they're also different andunique, as our instructors are
all around the world and justteaching from their own
God-given anointing, and it'ssuch a beautiful thing.
Speaker 1 (24:08):
I love just how like spirit-led it is and I love that
you talked about earlier.
You talked about how systematicit's become and yours is God's
going to come and do what God'sgoing to do.
We talked about this before wehit record, where I told
Michelle I don't really prep alot of questions, the spirit's
going to do.
We talked about this before wehit record, where I told
Michelle I don't really prep alot of questions, the Spirit's
going to lead.
However, he's going to lead,which is great.
That's how I teach my classestoo.
Whatever Spirit's moving is howwe're moving and grooving that
(24:31):
day Amen.
I just love the space for Himto come and work and I love what
you said about just being stilland being able to hear from Him
.
I think it's a design of theenemy that we're so busy all the
time.
We're so overscheduled,especially in Western culture.
I think it's just like our kidsare the most scheduled
generation ever.
There's so much going on allthe time.
(24:51):
I believe us as parents likeoverly scheduled too, and I'm
like, yeah, of course that justmakes sense because there's no
time to sit and be present andbuild relationship and all those
kind of things.
So I just think that whatyou're doing is so incredibly
beautiful and I'm so proud ofyou and the work that you do and
the way that you pour out topeople.
(25:12):
I think it's just so beautiful.
Speaker 2 (25:14):
Thank you, lemon, I appreciate that.
Speaker 1 (25:16):
Yeah.
So if somebody was listeningand they were like okay,
Michelle, I'd be interested inexploring more about yoga phase
or taking a class with somebodywho does this, Because I was a
dancer and a cheerleader a lotof stretching all the time.
When I looked at yoga, I'm likeit feels like everything that I
did before and aftercheerleading practice to make
sure I didn't hurt myself, andyou talked about it being an
(25:38):
injury prevention too.
So if somebody was like, okay,I want to explore this a little
bit more, how could they go andexplore what you're doing?
Speaker 2 (25:48):
Thank you so much for asking.
I hope they would explore itbecause it's such a beautiful
thing and I feel honored andprivileged that God chose me.
And he did say if you ask meone more time, I will give it to
someone else.
So that was a year and a halfinto and I was like, okay, I'll
never ask you again, because Iwas like Lord, what are you
doing?
And he talked to me again.
I do hope that people who areinterested and who do want to
(26:12):
fully worship mind, body, spiritand soul to the creator of the
universe, that they would find alocal instructor.
We have a website with adirectory, so our website's
yogafaithorg, and then there's aresource tab and under that
resource tab is a lot of likefree resources and all of that,
but also the directory.
As far as teaching yoga faith,we are a school.
(26:34):
We've been around since 2013.
We're the only Christian schoolthat is accredited with the
International Association ofYoga Therapists, so that is
divine favor.
We have a lot of otheraccreditations, but we have
programs that are 20 hours to athousand hours with our yoga
therapy program, and you cantake it online.
You can come see us in person.
(26:55):
You can do a hybrid of both.
So if that's of interest to youin spreading the gospel through
a yoga mat, yogafaithorg is ourwebsite.
Speaker 1 (27:05):
I love this and you guys should go connect with her,
because I wish you could justsee her.
I think Michelle is truly oneof the most kind and generous
and loving women that I haveever met.
You can't help but look at herand be happy.
Speaker 2 (27:20):
I love her.
Speaker 1 (27:23):
She's like a ball of sunshine.
If you were going to leave thelisteners with a final piece of
advice or a final thought thatyou want to share with them
around this whole topic, what?
Speaker 2 (27:31):
would it be In general, not specific to yoga
faith?
I want to say it's getting late.
We need to make sure our homesare clean and we are preparing
for a glorious bride to comeback.
I want to say it's getting late.
We need to make sure our homesare clean and we are preparing
for a glorious bride to comeback.
I want to let people know thatthe enemy has assigned a demon
over your rooftop.
This isn't the light, fluffyclosing remark.
(27:52):
This is telling you that thetime and the hour is late, and
I'm praying that you would beginto really see the enemy's
schemes.
He's busy.
This is his full-time job toprowl and look for open doors
and windows.
Imagine, because this is true,there is a demon assigned to you
(28:15):
, looking and prowling.
So I pray that we, asChristians, would rise up and
know our authority and power andstrength in the Holy Spirit
that dwells with us, that Jesussaid we're to do greater things,
that you would start to protectyour thresholds.
Who comes into your home?
Who comes into your car?
(28:35):
Who comes into your sacredspaces and relationships?
Are you in rooms that you don'tbelong in?
I know that I was.
Maybe somebody dragged me there, maybe I wandered in there, but
God has new rooms for you and Iwant to say that he's trying to
birth something new and giveyou a new delivery team.
There's a lot of chatter in thewaiting room.
(28:56):
Many of us listen to thatchatter and I mentioned it
earlier with lemon.
That is distracting and it'staking us away from our calling
and our mantle.
We are supposed to be gettingabout our father's business,
know that the hour is late andthe time is short.
Let's get our house in order,our life in order, and prepare
(29:21):
for eternity and take peoplewith us.
Who are we taking with us andwhat are we doing to take them
with us?
Speaker 1 (29:28):
Oh my gosh.
You totally just mentioned someof my favorite scriptures in
that closing statement.
I agree.
This one about Jesus sayinggreater works, I think
personally the hardest scripturefor me to grapple with.
I feel like I have to read itat least once a week.
You said that.
I accept that.
You said it, but that's wild,so wild.
Speaker 2 (29:47):
But he needs to hear this too.
Yes, god is the God who was andis to come.
But we are living in the is.
We don't know Lot's wife's name.
God never said remember Mary orremember Esther or remember.
He just said remember Lot'swife.
Lot's wife longingly lookedback.
(30:07):
She didn't just look back.
She looked back because shewanted to stay.
God is trying to take someonelistening to someplace new.
You need a new delivery team,but you can't go into the new
when you're looking back.
We know what happened to her.
So I think it's odd that hesaid remember someone that
(30:29):
doesn't even have a name, justLot's wife.
So I wanted to reintegrate toremember Lot's wife and look up,
look forward.
Stop looking to the left and tothe right.
It's just pure enemy sentdistraction.
Speaker 1 (30:46):
Guys, I'm going to have to bring Michelle back,
just so we can have a wholesermon thing from her.
You know how to find me.
You guys have to connect withher.
I'm so grateful that you'rehere and that this is wild, so
for you, I'm so grateful thatyou're here and that this is
wild.
Speaker 2 (31:03):
So for you, I'm so grateful.
Speaker 1 (31:05):
So just thank you for being here.
Y'all.
Please go connect with Michelle, pause this rewind, get a pen
and paper journal about what shejust said at the end, because I
know that it's for you.
So please take it to yourfather and reflect on what she
said.
I think there's a lot you canget out of the last 90 seconds
of our conversation alone.
I just love you, michelle.
Thank you for being here.
(31:25):
Until next time, friend.
Speaker 2 (31:28):
I love you too and I pray that God continues to bless
the work of your hands and giveyou double portion and double
for your trouble, and thank youso much for having me.
I'll continue to pray for youand your listeners.
Speaker 1 (31:44):
Thank you, friend.
Hey friend, what a joy it hasbeen to share today's journey
with you.
If you found a spark ofinspiration or a nugget of
wisdom that resonated, would youbless someone else by sharing
this episode with them?
It could be the encouragementthey need to step into their
purpose and calling.
Also, if you could spare amoment to leave a review, it
(32:09):
would mean the world to me.
I really appreciate yourfeedback and it really helps our
community grow.
Remember, the road todiscovering God's call for you
isn't one you have to walk alone.
So join me again next Mondayfor another episode where we'll
continue to explore the depthsof leadership and the heights of
our heavenly calling.
Until then, keep seeking, keepgrowing and keep trusting in his
plan.
God bless you and I'll catchyou on the flip side.
Bye, friend.
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