Vrksasana

Benefits of Yoga

Yoga benefits every system in the physical body.

Mental: Improves focus, concentration, and awareness
Muscular: Elongates muscles releasing muscular tension and improving flexibility, increases muscle strength
Skeletal: Promotes proper alignment, weight-bearing exercises improve bone density, lubricates joints
Circulatory: As muscles stretch blood vessels dilate thus increasing overall blood flow and oxygen to the entire body
Respiratory: Promotes deep breathing thus increasing lung capacity and control of breath
Digestive: Improves digestion and elimination by gently massaging internal organs
Endocrine: Improves blood flow to the organs that secrete hormones (brain, kidney, pancreas, adrenals and reproductive organs) thus improving hormone balance
Nervous: Stimulates spinal cord thus improving nerve tone and sensation

Yoga promotes an overall sense of well-being. Yoga encourages the observance of purity, contentment, happiness, mental strength, study of self, non-violence, honesty, friendliness, and living a non-indulgent life.

Experience Yoga Joy!

Ustrasana

Yoga Joy offers Christian Yoga classes in the Hermitage and Wilson County area. Classes are taught by Lisa Decker and are a creative blend of meditation, physical poses (asanas), breath work and relaxation. Classes are for all levels with no previous experience or flexibility required. The focus of each class is to tap into the joy and peace at the core of each of us by bringing union between the body, mind and spirit. That joy and peace being the presence of God at our core.

“Be full of joy in the Lord always.”

Upavista Konasana

Lisa has taught over 1500 hours of Yoga classes and has over 25 years experience leading group exercise. She has two certifications and has participated in workshops lead by America’s leading yogis including Rodney Yee, Erich Schiffmann, and Roger Cole. Lisa is also a registered nurse with a keen awareness of body alignment, anatomy and physiology, and disease processes. She is a member of Yoga Society of Nashville.

Lisa also offers private lessons, workshops, retreats
and yoga parties upon request.
For additional information please email Lisa at contact@yogajoy.info

Anjanasana

Accolades of Yoga Joy!

To whom it may concern,

Early in 2007, I was diagnosed with a chronic pain disorder. I was having some difficulty just getting minor, everyday things done and was on several prescriptions for pain. The quality of my life had really deteriorated and I was very depressed about the loss of my health.

At that same time, Vanderbilt opened their Integrative Health Center. Their focus was to get people back on their feet without the use of drugs and by using a more natural, holistic approach to healing. The first thing they told me that I had to do was Yoga - at least three time each week! After seeing literally dozens of doctors in the past year and hearing their recommendation, I can remember rolling my eyes and wondering if that was the best they could come up with. But I was desperate because nothing was working for me and I decided to try to find some classes.

Truly by the grace of God, I found Lisa Decker and started taking her Yoga classes at Cook's United Methodist Church in February of 2007. That was the turning point for me. Within just a few months, I stopped taking all pain medications and began moving and feeling much better. The classes offer just enough challenge so that I use and stretch all of my muscles without hurting myself. Additionally, I felt the emotional benefits of being more relaxed and focused on my health and not on my illness. I rarely miss a class.

I have become somewhat of a Yoga "nut". Whenever I go out of town, I research the Yoga studios in advance to schedule some classes. Of all the classes I have taken during my travels, I have found that Lisa's classes are the ones that work the best for me. She explains the different movements/positions and their benefits. I have told just about everyone I know about Yoga to get them to try a few classes. Most have become as passionate as I have and practice regularly. I would recommend Yoga Joy with Lisa Decker to everybody who is trying to improve their health and feel better.

Sincerely,
Susan Dorsey, Mount Juliet, TN

I have gained skills of stretching and relaxation techniques through the yoga classes taught here at Cook's United Methodist Church by Mrs. Decker. I would recommend these classes to everyone.
Russell Buchanan

Dear Cook's United Methodist Church,

I want to thank you for having such a wonderful community service like allowing our yoga class to meet at your church. I have been taking the yoga class with Lisa for a little over two years now. It has really changed my life.

Physically, it has made me feel so much better. As I am rapidly approaching sixty, the aches and pains seem to arrive every morning. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, however; I know they won't last long because of the wonderful stretching at yoga. I feel like a new person after class. My doctor even said he was jealous of my low blood pressure and he is a young man. Yoga has taught me to breathe properly. I didn't realize I was working and exercising with my mouth open half the time. It made me tired. The breathing techniques I have learned help with my allergies. I rarely have a headache any more.

Mentally, yoga had helped me calm down and not get so frustrated with life's little irritations like being struck in traffic on the interstate. Now when I realize am getting frustrated, I just breath and meditate.

Spiritually, it has helped me to truly understand the verse, "Be still and know that I am God." He likes us to sit and listen and just be with Him.

We still have space, so come and join us!

Sincerely,
Judy Michie