new sponsor & giveaway: atoning yoga.

you guys, i am so excited to share my first sponsor with you.

i love yoga--i always have. but since becoming a christian, i've struggled with elements of it. i should probably explain why.

growing up, i was exposed to a lot of new age spirituality and embraced much of it. i was enticed by it, and it nearly ruined me, but for the grace of god. now, i tend to be extra sensitive to it all. sometimes, the scars of my past are still fresh. so being around it doesn't sit well with me.

because of this, when i practice yoga--in the moments of relaxation and focusing on energy and the like--i tend to be distracted, trying to bring to mind scriptures and prayers. trying to ignore what the teacher is saying when it is something i don't agree with, but still listening so i don't keep missing the instructions. and with that, i've been feeling really conflicted. but i just kept trying to reconcile the two.

until now.

"We believe that yoga, like all other things in our lives, should be used to glorify God." 

- Atoning Yoga

when i read this, my heart leapt a little. this puts what i've been feeling into words perfectly.
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the Extending Grace DVD is fantastic. the theme of the workouts is drawn from Colossians 4:6:

Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

i don't know about you, but this is really something i've realized i need to work on. making my words be graceful. to encourage, and not tear down.

there are three workouts lengths to choose from: 15, 30 and 45 minutes. so even if you have only a little bit of time, you can fit it in. it opens and closes with prayer, and each breath is breathed in a repetitive prayer that our words would be full of grace.

the workouts are great for beginners, but have modifications for those of us you that are more advanced. it's a good workout, but it's also so relaxing and calming. 

i feel encouraged throughout the whole routine--both physically and spiritually. at the end, your body feels revived and your soul feels refreshed.

in other words, i am a fan.

so it's with great excitement that i announce that Atoning Yoga has agreed to give one of you lovely readers a free copy of the Extending Grace DVD!

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

i just love lauren's heart to spur fellow believers on in their relationship with god by combining yoga with the meditation on god's word. she understands that the potential benefits of yoga on our spiritual walk are amplified when focused around biblical truths.

the giveaway is closed. thanks to everyone who entered. the winner will be announced monday morning!

love.