— WHAT IS GRACE X STRENGTH? —
Grace x Strength began in 2015 when I felt called to create a space where I could teach yoga while openly sharing my Christian faith. I had recently completed my yoga teacher training after more than a decade working in corporate and marketing, and what started with teaching classes gradually grew into something much bigger.
Two years later, my co-Founder and soul-sister, Alyssa, joined me. She was a Pilates teacher and wellness blogger with the same heart for Christ-centred living, and we had both been praying separately about an opportunity like this. Together, we grew Grace x Strength into a community offering Christian yoga classes, retreats, workshops and events.
Grace x Strength was always primarily about the spiritual side of yoga and creating space to explore it through a Christian perspective. Over the years, my own understanding of yoga has expanded. Living with migraine, and later studying psychology, made me much more curious about the body, the nervous system and what science can actually tell us about practices like yoga. That has naturally influenced the way I teach and the direction Grace x Strength has taken today.
Grace x Strength now continues independently under my leadership, with the same Christian foundation it began with, but with a broader approach to how we understand and work with the body. Faith remains central alongside what I continue to learn through psychology, neuroscience and my own experience as a yoga teacher and practitioner.
Today, my work continues to be guided by four values: Grace, Active, Equanimous and Faith-Based. We offer yoga and programs designed to help people cultivate greater equanimity through movement, self-inquiry and faith.
Be a part of our community by joining our Christian yoga classes online, retreats, workshops, and events. Journey with us on social media. Learn more about our classes & programs here.
— WHAT IS CHRISTIAN YOGA & WHY? —
At Grace x Strength, Christian yoga simply describes the way we approach the practice. We move, breathe and rest with God at the centre, with opportunities for prayer, reflection and meditation on Scripture throughout the practice.
Yoga has a long and complex history and its practices have developed across different philosophical, spiritual and cultural traditions over time. Today, people also practise yoga in many different ways - for movement, meditation, mindfulness, spiritual practice, or simply because it helps them feel good in their bodies.
For me, practising yoga as a Christian means being clear about the intention I bring to my own practice and teaching. My faith is Christian, so when I create space for spiritual reflection within yoga, that reflection is grounded in my relationship with God and my understanding of the Christian faith. The physical practice is still a physical practice. We move, breathe, rest and pay attention to what is happening in the body. My studies in psychology have made me increasingly interested in understanding these practices through what we know about the brain, body and nervous system as well. I think there is room to be curious about that without needing to make every part of yoga either a scientific or a spiritual claim.
Christian yoga also isn’t something I believe every Christian needs to practise. Questions around Christianity and yoga are personal and I understand why some Christians choose not to participate. If you’re unsure, I encourage you to learn about the practice, consider your own beliefs and convictions, pray about it and make the decision that feels consistent with your faith.
We’ve put together a guide addressing some of the questions Christians commonly have about yoga, along with a resource to help you think through whether the practice is right for you.
Read “Should Christians Do Yoga?” or take the leap and experience for yourself with my online videos.
AT GRACE X STRENGTH, WE HAVE 3 SIGNATURE PROGRAMS:
Grace Flow is our Vinyasa-style practice, linking breath and movement in a flowing, sometimes dance-like sequence. Classes often include contemporary Christian worship music and begin and end with breathwork, meditation or prayer around a theme drawn from Scripture.
Strength Builder is a slower-paced practice where we spend more time exploring individual poses, strength, mobility and different variations, with a stronger focus on alignment similar to Hatha-style practices. Classes may include a Scriptural theme and begin and end with breathwork, meditation or prayer.
Stretch & Rest is our slower, quieter practice, with similarities to Yin Yoga through longer-held poses, deeper stretching and stillness to support increased flexibility. Classes combine gentle movement, breathwork and Biblical reflections to create space to slow down, rest and turn your attention towards God.
TAILORED SPECIALTY PROGRAMS
Kids Yoga introduces children to movement, breathing and simple mindfulness practices in an age-appropriate and playful way, while encouraging a healthy relationship with their growing bodies and a Christian understanding of identity and worth.
Chair Yoga offers an accessible way to practise using a chair and other props for support. Poses and movements can be adapted for older adults, people with reduced mobility, or anyone who finds a traditional mat-based practice less suitable.
Yogalates combines elements of Pilates and yoga in one practice. The program was originally developed and taught by Grace x Strength co-Founder Alyssa Mak, who is certified in both Pilates and Yoga.
Yoga Therapy is an individualised approach that adapts movement, breathwork, meditation and rest to the person. It can support individual goals and sit alongside appropriate medical or psychological care where needed.