“Holy Yogi” Merges Movement Along With Scripture & Meditation to Create a New Experience in Worship.

2020 has been a challenging year for all of us. Dealing with a pandemic, the unrest of racial injustice and hardships of every kind, this year has caused trauma and stress that many of us have struggled to manage. All too often as Christians we think self care is limited to prayer and devotional, maybe fasting if your problems are “extra big.” But what if there’s more that can be done to help us unwind and de-stress? Is God in favor of us incorporating meditation and other holistic methods? Is there a way to incorporate scripture and a true focus on God along with meditation in a manner that doesn’t go against our faith?

We caught up with Certified Spiritual Lifestyle Coach Devin Joyner to discuss the new services she’s offering clients at Journey to Peace. She explains to us how she is making this work.

ARTSOUL: Devin, you are doing some ground breaking work bringing faith and meditation together. How did you first get introduced to meditation?

DEVIN: Meditation was introduced to me by my Pastors. It was a great revelation that when we meditate on the word of God, we are drawing close to Him the author and finisher of our faith. The very thing that we battle with and grow in daily. To meditate on the word is to gain new life in the giver of life.

ARTSOUL: You’ve been quoted saying, “I admit I put God in a box by believing that I couldn’t encounter Him through a modality like Yoga.” What changed your mind? Was it difficult to break through the traditional mindset?

DEVIN: I felt peace about trying it after all the chaos and stresses of the pandemic. I was so moved by the worship experience, I continued to take the class my job was offering for free. I believe it took something like Covid to hit for me to break the traditional mindset because I was so stuck on what I had heard about Yoga. But after actually stepping into it, I was now open to receive the truth about it and how it is simply an avenue like prayer or dance to enter into worship and communion with Jesus. If it wasn’t for something to bring me to my knees I wouldn’t have humbled my myself to set aside my preconceived perception of it. I’m glad I let go and let God enter in this way because now I can advocate for others to do the same.

ARTSOUL: Yoga and meditation have been considered taboo in the church at large. How have people responded to your pursuit of bringing your faith and meditation together?

DEVIN: Mostly people had been silent when I first began to advertise it. I think they are just watching to see how it evolves. I think people want to see consistency if they are going to go on a journey with you no matter what it is in life. I just recently made a post on Facebook announcing my certification date and there was a great response of congratulations, I’ve only had 3 people outright challenge the idea with questions or their opinions which I welcome because I love pointing people to the real truth about how it has been around longer then even the Hindu religion which is what most people connect it to as a reason not to partake.

ARTSOUL: It’s typical for Christians to struggle with stress and anxiety although our mantra is “too blessed to be stressed.” How can mediation and Holy Yoga help?

DEVIN: Meditation and Holy Yoga is drawing the promises of God of peace, joy and everlasting love to you as a child of God. Most Christians forget to continuously renew their minds and begin to focus on the issues and world around them instead of clinging to Gods word and promises of peace and joy unspeakable. Meditation and Holy Yoga are to strengthen mind, body and spirit. What better way to weave the word of God into everything area of your life! That is what Jesus desires from us, to walk with us in everyday life. This is what worship is to Him. When we meet with Him in this way we can’t help but experience the manifestation of His word tangibly.

Meditation and Holy Yoga is drawing the promises of God of peace, joy and everlasting love to you as a child of God.

Devin Joyner

ARTSOUL: What was the moment in 2020 that led you to finally take the step and pursue your passion and gift to help people discover the peace of God through Yoga and meditation?

DEVIN: My job offered free Holy Yoga sessions to help relieve stress and I just thought well it has to be good if God is in it. My last job was a Christian organization and I trusted the resources they offered us. I think it helped me put my guard down and I was won over by it!

ARTSOUL: Many Christians hear Yoga and think tight pants, stretching and chakras. How is Holy Yoga different?

DEVIN: Holy Yoga is simply put the weaving of the word of God! You come as you are just as God wants us to come to Him, we move our bodies into different stretches, poses and positions that connect to the word and what our bodies need. It’s just like life. We go through seasons of ups and downs. Our positions even in moments at the alter could go from a prostrate position with our face on the floor or our hands extended up in praise. These are Godly movements mentioned throughout the word that we bring to life on our mats. Now chakras are something that we learn about in Holy Yoga to know how to relate to clients or people who know the usual practice of Yoga and be able to speak to them and explain which areas of the anatomy that we may be focusing on in our session or practice. This is also biblical to become all things to all people. Just being able to connect and understand their world view, we are allowing them to encounter God. If explained properly, you can relate their past experiences with yoga to Holy Yoga.

ARTSOUL: What type of classes/sessions do you offer? What can participants expect to gain?

DEVIN: I offer group guided meditation sessions as well as private sessions. This is joining together the word and movement to meet God on our mats. Participants can expect to be led into God’s presence and to experience the peace much needed in this time of despair and grief. My goal is to remind participants that there is purpose even in hard times. In His presence, we are strengthened and restored to go back out into the world and lead them to the only One who can get us through these trying times. Private sessions are catered to the individual needs but group sessions are more of a virtual group /corporate experience. I’m excited to be leading sessions for a Teen Creatives Conference December 30-31 teaching the youth how to direct their emotions through dance /movement and meditation.

ARTSOUL: What’s next for Journey To Peace? What can we expect to see in 2021? 

DEVIN: Next Year is when I begin to officially offer Holy Yoga on my site. I hope to continue to be invited to platforms like this so I can begin to change the perspectives of people especially in the Christian community but also allow non-believers to experience Christ in this way.

Find out more about Devin and Journey to Peace by visiting https://www.journeytopeace.co. All who use code ArtSoul in notes after booking a Saturday Morning Meditation Session will get a private one on one session virtual session catered specifically to their needs for free.

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