What is DoxaSoma?
DoxaSoma is the Christian practice of the integration of prayer, worship and exercise. It is a facet of our lives as Christians incorporating our physical bodies into our prayer life. We gather to “praise his name with dancing.”Ps 149:3
What does “DoxaSoma” mean?
Soma is a word that comes from the New Testament Greek meaning “body.” This word is also used to describe the “church body’ or the “body of Christ” being baptised “by one Spirit into one body.” 1 Cor 12:13 Other meanings for the word include:
1)the living body
2)heavenly bodies (planets and stars)
3)a gathering of people united into one society or family as it were; a social, ethical, mystical body
4)that which casts a shadow as distinguished from the shadow itself. (from Strong’s Greek lexicon)
Doxa is a New Testament Greek word meaning “praise” or “honor.”
Is DoxaSoma a form of Yoga?
No. DoxaSoma is an exercise and worship practice designed to praise God and the person of Jesus Christ, utilizing the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit and follows only the Christian narrative. It was developed from within a Christian context using positions of the body that are best suited for worship and for physiological health benefits. “Therefore strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees.” Heb 12:12, “I will praise you as long as I live and in your name I lift up my hands.” Ps 63:4, “Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way.” Is 35:3
Are the body movements the same as Yoga poses or asanas?
No. The positions practiced in DoxaSoma were developed independent of any other exercise program specifications and were chosen for their physical safety, strength building capabilities and symbolic importance in the life of the Christian. Each movement is intentional and well thought out on both a physical and spiritual level. Any similarities to another exercise program can be attributed to the fact that the human body moves in a finite number of ways.
Can I substitute Soma for my Yoga class?
Since DoxaSoma is designed to give a total body workout for strength building and flexibility, it should be comparable to the workout given in other exercise classes of the same physical caliber. On a spiritual level, the practice of DoxaSoma is designed for those following the Christian path or for those who are seeking God in the person of Jesus Christ. “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”Mt 7:7
Under the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit this practice can become integral part of our daily walk with God, continuing to “work out our salvation with fear and trembling.” Phil 2:12
The Practice-
The 5 Parts of the DoxaSoma class:
1)Prosueche (prayer)
“If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” Mt 21:22
An opening of ourselves to God’s work
We begin with prayer. We put aside “petitioning” in favor of coming into God’s
presence. Letting Him do the talking and learning to be quieted so that we might be
able to hear Him.
2)Charas (joy)
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because
you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. James 1:2-3
A time of stretching, preparing
We start gentle movement of the muscle groups, we pay special attention to those
areas which hold tension, the places where we carry the stress of our lives. We take
time to connect each stretch with how God is working in us.
3)Ischuros (strength)
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your
mind and with all your strength.’Mk 12:30
A time of strengthening, attaining balance
Positions are chosen to correspond to the class focus and/or the needs
of the class body. Each position is taught first for “form” and then we move our
awareness to prayer and worship of God while holding the positions.
4)Doxa (praise)
“After this I heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude in heaven
shouting:”Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God”Rev 19:1
Movement as praise, as worship
The positions of Ischuros are linked together to become moving worship of God.
We stand as a group worshipping Him together.
5)Eirene (peace)
“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts
and your minds in Christ Jesus.”Phil 4:7
The value of stillness
We spend time moving into a place of meditation on Scripture, cooling down the
body and looking for “moments of transformation” so that we can become fully the
people God has created us to be.
