Misunderstood but Not Misplaced

There is a unique kind of tension that comes from being in the Christian yoga community. Not fully fitting into one space.

Not fully accepted in another.

Constantly navigating assumptions from both sides, while quietly trying to remain faithful to what God has actually called you to do.  For me, that space exists between following Jesus wholeheartedly and teaching something that, for many, raises questions before they ever hear my heart.

I didn’t step into this lightly.

I didn’t stumble into it without praying about it. And I certainly didn’t choose it to be controversial. Somewhere along the way, I realized obedience to God doesn’t always lead to approval from people. Galatians 1:10 asks, "Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ." That verse has stayed close to me in this journey and I am constantly repeating it to myself in these moments of misunderstanding.

 Moments of Misunderstanding.

I’ve been invited more than once with conditions attached. “Hey Sally, we’d love to have you come teach a class, but can you not use the word yoga while teaching at church?” Other times, the request comes from the opposite direction: “Hey Sally, we’d love to have you come teach a class, but can you leave out the Bible reading and Jesus talk during yoga?”

And somewhere in the middle of those expectations, there’s that quiet internal voice trying to define you: You just aren’t Christian enough. Or you are too Christian.

If you are a Christian yoga teacher long enough, you will be excluded from opportunities because of assumptions tied to a label. My work has been questioned as to whether it’s acceptable or pleasing to the Lord. There’s this constant pull to over-explain my intentions, as if I need to prove where I stand.

So what do I do when I find myself here?

I go back to what matters most: God’s Word. 1 Samuel 16:7 says, “The Lord does not look at the things people look at… people look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” I keep coming back to this truth: God looks at the heart. I like yoga, but I love Jesus Christ. And when I say that, I mean it deeply. My love for Jesus goes far beyond the embroidery on my trucker hat. It is a relationship and it’s a daily commitment to walk in obedience to Him. Jesus says in John 14:15, “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” Every single day, my goal is working on growing closer to Him. He comes before everything.

You will not catch me loving yoga more than I love my Savior.

If I had to say it in one sentence, it would be this: I serve and follow Jesus every day—and I happen to teach yoga.

If I were ever convicted to lay down yoga, I would. Yoga is secondary for me. I appreciate it. I see it as a gift. I use it as a tool. I believe the work can be holy in the sense that I can love people well through it but I do not idolize it. Because anything can become an idol if we let it. That’s why scripture calls us to keep our eyes steady. Matthew 6:33 says, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.”

First. Not second. Not mixed in. First.

Now that we have that settled lets define what is actually going on here in this space.

It's called misunderstanding.

There are people who assume that practicing or teaching yoga means abandoning the Christian faith. Others assume that being a Christian means rejecting anything associated with yoga altogether. Because of this, I sometimes find myself criticized, quietly dismissed from both sides, or misunderstood. It can feel isolating especially when people question your integrity without truly understanding your heart.

But let’s be very clear, misunderstanding is not the same as persecution.

Jesus actually warned us about being misunderstood. In John 15:18 He says, “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated Me first.”

I hold perspective here. 

There are believers around the world facing real persecution, imprisonment, abuse, displacement, even death simply because of their faith. And when I remember that, it reframes everything for me on this subject.

I am not persecuted. I am misunderstood.

So how do I handle the “things”. I keep going. I don’t use yoga to replace Christ, I use it to serve people with compassion, presence, and care. I stay very clear about who I am and where my identity is rooted. Romans 12:2 says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

That’s the work. Conviction gives me clarity when confusion tries to creep in. And when I feel that tension rising again, I come back to what I know is true: my faith is not weak and neither is my calling.

So my sisters and brothers if you’re walking this same road, you’re not alone and this is what I have for you;

Stay rooted in God's word.

Stay accountable.

Stay surrendered everyday.

And when the noise gets loud, go back to the quiet place with Him. Because clarity doesn’t come from the crowd, it comes from Christ and in Him, there is no confusion about who you are.

The light in me is the light of Jesus Christ. That light honors and prays blessings over each of you. —Sally

 

Written by Sally McAteer with Sallysmat yoga. Sally is a Master yoga teacher, teacher trainer/mentor, Founder of Christian yoga teachers, a non profit that helps support Christian yoga teachers all over the world. Sally has a heart for yoga teachers.