Why I go to Yoga Class

The Morris United Methodist Church hosts a yoga class on Thursday nights at 5:30, which I attend as faithfully as I can, with a fairly large degree of error.

As I think about the church in the 21st century and beyond (motivated in part by this article)  I worry about disconnects between people.  We move further and further from sitting down face to face and talking to each other.  Even education is often online now, and a lot of people like watching worship on TV.

So why do I go to Yoga Class when I could just watch one on YouTube instead?  Even more, why do I pay to go to Yoga class when I could do it for free at home?  There are two reasons.

First, I don't do yoga at home.  It may be available to me 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, but I never find the time.  I suspect prayer and worship and study are like that for most people who don't go to church.  YEAH, of course, you can do connect to God without a religious community.  But do you?  (Then again, I do find time for Pilates at home.  And lots of people do pray a lot and don't go to church.  Just saying.)

Second, I like the people who go - and the instructor too.  I like that people notice when I walk in the door, and that we have to move our mats around to make room as more people come.  I like whining with others when it comes time to do "the crow" and I like being part of the movement to put on wool socks before "final relaxation."  I like that every class is a little different and our instructor teaches us tiny little bits more each week.  She is responsive to our energy. I love the moments I have with people after class is over (I'm always late, so there isn't time before class for me) to just chat about nothing.  I love it that I hear people check in with each other, "How is your husband recovering from surgery?"  "How are your classes this semester?"  "How is your team doing?"  "Are you feeling better this week?"  Oh, and I do love it that our energies work together.  There is a terrible thing called "the locust" which is just impossible, but at least we all try together, and I'm sure it does help.

I hope that pod-casts and blogs, internet chat rooms and twitter never overtake communal worship.  Because the moments like those in my yoga class are really the moments of life.  Spontaneous conversation, laughter, and tears are what its all about - and I don't want people to be lonely while seeking God. Watching worship on TV isn't the same.  It just isn't.  I go to Yoga class because it's just better.