For many faith-filled women, yoga has felt off-limits or misunderstood. In this reflection, Funlayo shares how she reclaimed yoga as a form of care, not compromise—using movement, breath, and mindfulness to honor her aging body and deepen her spiritual walk.
Hear me out.
I know many women in my faith community have reservations about yoga. Some are cautious about its origins in Eastern religions and feel it may be spiritually unsafe. I honor that concern—discernment matters. But I also want to share a different perspective, one rooted in compassion for our bodies and the seasons we move through.
As we get older, our bodies ask us to slow down, stretch out, and pay attention. We lose flexibility. Gravity becomes more insistent. Our joints ask for gentler care. Our strength and balance need to be nurtured, not ignored.
That’s where yoga has come in for me—not as a spiritual practice, but as a form of physical stewardship.
You don’t have to chant mantras or burn incense to experience the benefits. Not every studio is a spiritual altar—some are simply safe, quiet spaces to breathe, stretch, and move your body with intention. It’s about choosing a space that aligns with your values and your boundaries. And it's so worth it.
Yoga has helped me stay flexible, strong, and grounded. It’s improved my posture, my sleep, and my focus. It’s also one of the only forms of movement that gently pushes back against the pull of aging without demanding performance.
I believe God calls us to honor our bodies as temples—and for me, yoga is one of the tools I use to do just that. You don’t have to call it yoga. Call it stretching. Call it breathwork. Call it showing up for yourself.
But do move. Your body will thank you.
With love and grace,
Funlayo
