Following Jesus and practicing yoga are a lifelong commitment to spiritual formation in Christ. One of the greatest and most misunderstood experiences encountered on this journey is resistance. Whether it presents as an unexpected detour in one’s calling, a season of doubt, loss of joy, insidious shame, or a health crisis, resistance often feels like God has pulled his favor and affection. Whatever form this common experience takes invites a choice, either resist the resistance and remain stuck, or move forward in faith.
In God’s classroom, resistance exists to teach and transform, not overwhelm or undercut.
Yet, too often resistance is assumed to be “enemy attack”, and therefore feared, or pushed through without closer examination. Oftentimes, resistance is a quite reasonable response, a red flag to proceed with caution – or even wait. Consider the caterpillar’s process of becoming a butterfly: what happens prior to the chrysalis? In her book, When the Heart Waits, Sue Monk Kidd describes the resistance many larvae experience when it comes time for metamorphosis as the “diapause”. This reaction is usually triggered by external factors that make a “time out” dangerous, like temperature or food scarcity. But in some instances, the diapause is a mysterious, internal response. Instead of judging it as an adversary, regard it as valuable information.
Developing the discernment to recognize the source of resistance requires time and effort. The yoga mat is an ideal place to practice embracing“opposition” as a grace space to occupy, not a threat to overcome. Understanding how God uses resistance to re-form us heart, mind, soul and body dismantles anxiety and frustration, restores trust in one’s self, invites participation in the healing process, and includes the Holy Spirit’s counsel. Regarding resistance as grace leads to growth, from the inside out. Consider these four approaches to create a transforming relationship with resistance on and off the mat:
Recognize it. Learning to recognize resistance on the mat leads to heightened awareness off the mat, both internal and external. A few of the most common forms include rigid muscles, a wandering mind, shallow breath, a clenched jaw, or even complaints about the temperature, lighting, music, etc. Other familiar forms of resistance include fatigue (physical, mental, emotional or spiritual), frustration at lack of progress, or a teacher who fails to meet personal preferences and expectations. Sometimes the cause is purely physical, like tense neck muscles from too many hours at the computer. Other times physical manifestations indicate a spiritual cause. Asking the question, “How is resistance showing up today?” can invite deeper awareness without trying to diagnose. As with the chrysalis, the intention is to move into the place where change is possible, and let the Holy Spirit take over from there.
Receive it. Rather than run from resistance, or fight it, accept it as an invitation to descend into the depths where Jesus waits with radical grace and unconditional love. The Lord knows where to direct his sheep. They follow his lead because they innately believe he has their best interests at heart. The willingness to be with the resistance like a best friend enables listening far more than white knuckling. Constant reminders to soften, surrender, enter into the constriction with the breath and slowly build strength from the inside out, will turn the chrysalis from a shadowy cave into a warm, inviting place of restoration. Ask: “Where is Jesus in the resistance? What might he say about this experience?”
Respond to it. Finally, experience the empowerment and intimacy with Jesus that comes with taking compassionate steps to move through the resistance and into the chrysalis. Practice presence followed by inquiry: “What next?” or, “What is mine to do?” Allow the Holy Spirit time to speak, whether through sensation, emotion, scripture, silence or even the music. Awareness followed by agency, then action is what leads to true transformation at the soul level. Become an ardent student of resistance that applies insight appropriately.
Remain in Christ: What about those situations when the resistance never seems to let up? When the promise of the chrysalis begins to feel more like the threat of being lost and forgotten? Just as God is the one who transforms within the chrysalis, He is the Protector that ultimately defeats every form of resistance to help his children arrive in the “holy dark”, Kidd calls it. Hold fast to the promises in scripture, and pray. 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 in The Message can be can serve as a blessing:
“May God himself, the God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, put you together - spirit, soul, and body - and keep you fit for the coming of our Master, Jesus Christ. The One who called you is completely dependable. If he said it, he'll do it!”
For the person who chooses to continue with Jesus into the unknown, the inevitable undoing is the beginning of reformation into love and the likeness of Christ. Kidd describes the human diapause as “a time when we hold onto the self we know.” Shedding outdated identities, like modifying a practice due to age or illness, can feel wobbly. So can changing locations, or even becoming certified to teach. There is usually a cost each time the old self is relinquished for a life of greater faith, hope and love. Beautiful wings aren’t earned by good works, but they do require participation.
As David Benner writes, this is the goal of the entire spiritual journey – to become our true self. For the yoga student who is listening and learning from Jesus, every class can become a chrysalis, a spacious place to practice and embody freedom and acceptance. Trusting Jesus to be ever present in becoming whole is protection for the soul as it becomes more than it knew was possible, and yet so very beautifully its unique self.
Katie’s passion is supporting women in all stages of life and faith to become their true self in Christ and fulfill their callings. Her ministry includes yoga teacher training through Living Soul Institute, life and leadership coaching, as well as serving as Spiritual Formation Director at her church.
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