Yoga and THIS Christian Woman

I began attending hot yoga classes back in November.  I didn't know what to expect, could I handle it at all?  But what I REALLY didn't expect was having to stand up for it, and to defend it.  I guess I didn't know how strongly some people (of faith) feel against this "exercise"....
I feel truly blessed by this practice over the last few months, and have SEEN physical improvements and mental improvements in myself. 

The curve in the top of my spine is now completely straight! I just might be taller! (*UPDATE: I did grow (stretch) 1/4 inch taller!) I never have foot pain in the mornings (was DAILY) any longer, I really FEEL amazing!  But creating the TIME to be only by myself and meditating on whatever I choose has been such a gift. I am not a quiet spirited person, I rush and go and ask questions later, but these sessions allow me time to slow down, breathe deep and realize that there IS time. There are zero distractions. There is time for me to concentrate on God. There are no cell phones or children beckoning. There is time for me to pray. The outside world is quiet and I can focus. There is time for me to listen to His whispers. And the time is so worth it. I pay money for that time!
and.....I AM WORTH IT.

I have no doubt God comes with me, meets me wherever I am in the day. Never have I felt uncomfortable, never have I felt like I've stepped outside of His protection. If ANYTHING I feel as if He is pleased to meet with me there. Pleased that I've begun making our meetings a priority. Pleased that I'm honoring the temple He has created for me in such an intimate and detailed way.

The only instruction given to me during my practice is body movements/placement, never have I been asked to pray to any god or chant or worship anything. Hatha is what I love most, and this form of yoga is what I will continue to do, as the studio I belong to doesn't offer much beyond just the physical postures for health and exercise. 

Hinduism may involve yoga, but not all yoga is Hinduism. I am not Hindu, or Buddhist. I am the bride of Christ. I am a slave to God, thee only God, and creator of my whole world. 
And if I walk into a yoga studio and do NOT feel a burden from The Holy Spirit to high tail it out of there, and never feel convicted about choosing this form of exercise, I refuse to apologize for going. I refuse to be defensive or argumentative either, as this doesn't help anybody. But most importantly I resolve, from this moment on, to not concern myself with anyone else's opinion, besides my God.

"Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ."(Galatians 1:10 NIV)