39. Should Christians Practice Yoga? Linda Carl, Former Yoga Teacher and Author, Reveals the Truth

39. Should Christians Practice Yoga? Linda Carl, Former Yoga Teacher and Author, Reveals the Truth

Many Christians believe yoga is simply stretching or exercise—but is that the whole story? In today's episode, I'm joined by Linda Carl, author of Yoga Unveiled, former yoga instructor, and faithful Catholic, for an eye-opening conversation about yoga's spiritual roots and why it isn't compatible with the Christian faith. As someone who spent years immersed in yoga, Reiki, eastern meditation, and New Age spirituality before encountering Jesus Christ, this conversation was especially meaningful to me. Linda and I share parts of our own journeys, discuss what ultimately led us away from these practices, and explain why true peace is found in Christ alone. Whether you've practiced yoga yourself, have loved ones who do, or have simply wondered what the Catholic Church teaches, this episode offers clarity, compassion, and hope. In this episode we discuss: *  Linda's journey from "sacramentalized but not catechized" Catholic to passionate disciple of Christ  *  Why yoga is much more than physical exercise  *  The Hindu roots of yoga and the true meaning behind many common poses, chants, and practices  *  The spiritual dangers of Reiki, chakras, Kundalini yoga, and other New Age practices  *  Why so many Christians unknowingly mix their faith with New Age spirituality  *  How Jesus offers a peace the world can never give  *  Practical steps for anyone who wants to leave yoga or New Age practices behind  *  The beauty of the sacraments, confession, prayer, and authentic Christian healing  If this episode encourages you, please consider sharing it with someone who may benefit from hearing it. Resources Mentioned: * Yoga Unveiled by Linda Carl- Purchase the book on Sophia Press [https://sophiainstitute.com/product/yoga-unveiled/?srsltid=AfmBOorfnnK0s2mG2560TjzkbO8f0xTbHvgoCb107Ep9yJOh9vPXMqaM] or Amazon [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FY1J9Q7X?lv=shuf&channelId=500&plpRedirect=mhFallback] *  USCCB document [https://www.usccb.org/resources/evaluation-guidelines-finaltext-2009-03_0.pdf]on Reiki  * Jesus Christ, the Bearer of the Water of Life [https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/interelg/documents/rc_pc_interelg_doc_20030203_new-age_en.html] (Vatican document on the New Age)  Connect with Linda: Follow Linda on Instagram @yogaunveiled [https://www.instagram.com/yoga.unveiled/] About Linda Carl Linda Carl is the author of Yoga Unveiled. After spending more than twenty years immersed in yoga—including becoming a certified yoga instructor—God led her to discover the spiritual roots of yoga and ultimately back to the fullness of the Catholic faith. Today she serves her parish and Catholic organizations while helping others discern the spiritual dangers of yoga and New Age practices and embrace the peace found only in Jesus Christ. Connect with Carrie: Follow Carrie on Instagram @livingwholeandholy [https://www.instagram.com/livingwholeandholy/]

38. From People-Pleasing to Holy Freedom (Part 3): Breaking Free From People Pleasing

From People-Pleasing to Holy Freedom: How to Stop Living For the Approval of Others and Start Living For God Part 3: Breaking Free From People Pleasing Welcome to the final episode of this 3-part series on breaking free from people-pleasing and learning to live for the approval of God instead of the approval of man. Over the past two episodes, we've uncovered what people-pleasing is and explored its spiritual roots. Today, we're taking the next step: learning how to walk in the freedom Christ has for you. In this episode, we'll talk about practical, faith-filled ways to renew your mind, root your identity in Christ, set healthy boundaries with love, and begin living with the peace that comes from seeking God's approval above all else. In this episode, you'll learn: 🤍 Five practical steps to overcome people-pleasing 🤍 How to root your day in prayer and set you identity in Christ first 🤍 Why prayer, virtue, the sacraments, and Scripture are essential for lasting freedom 🤍 Simple ways to renew your mind with God's truth My prayer is that this series reminds you that you were never created to live under the weight of everyone else's expectations. You were created to know Christ, trust Him, and live the beautiful life He has prepared for you. Connect with Carrie: Follow Carrie on Instagram @livingwholeandholy [https://www.instagram.com/livingwholeandholy/] ✨ If this episode resonated with you and you're ready to move from people-pleasing to holy freedom, I'd love to walk alongside you through Catholic life coaching. Schedule a Free 1:1 Catholic Coaching Clarity Call with Carrie [https://calendly.com/carriejaincoaching/coaching-consultation]

37. From People-Pleasing to Holy Freedom (Part 2): The Spiritual Roots of People-Pleasing

From People-Pleasing to Holy Freedom: How to Stop Living For the Approval of Others and Start Living For God Part 2: The Spiritual Roots of People Pleasing Welcome to Part 2 of this special 3-part series on breaking free from people-pleasing and learning to live for the approval of God instead of the approval of others. In Part 1, we uncovered what people-pleasing is and why it disguises itself as a counterfeit virtue. Now we're asking a deeper question: Why does people-pleasing have such a grip on our hearts? In this episode, we uncover the spiritual roots of people-pleasing by looking at Scripture, the Catechism, and the wisdom of the saints. Together, we'll discover why this struggle isn't simply a personality trait or bad habit—it's a matter of misplaced identity, disordered love, and forgetting whose approval matters most. In this episode, you'll discover: 🤍 How people-pleasing traces all the way back to the Garden of Eden 🤍 What Scripture teaches about the fear of man and the freedom that comes from fearing God above all else 🤍 What we can learn from Adam and Eve, St. Peter, Pontius Pilate, and Our Blessed Mother 🤍 How pride and distrust of God quietly fuel people-pleasing 🤍 Why seeking the approval of others can never satisfy the deepest longing of your heart 🤍 How rooting your identity in Christ changes everything 🤍 Why authentic freedom begins when God's opinion matters more than anyone else's As we close this episode, I invite you to pray the Litany of Humility, [https://ascensionpress.com/pages/litany-of-humility?srsltid=AfmBOopge_dhQ5lmOsAbUdzcCQLOGH6050SBNMDy4i5XzXpHf8K2Ppk6] asking Jesus to free your heart from the need for human approval and deepen your trust in His love. 📖 Scripture for this Episode "The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe." — Proverbs 29:25 🙏 Anti-people pleasing saints to ask for intercession: * St. Teresa of Avila * St. Catherine of Siena * St. Joan of Arc * Our Lady of Guadalupe Coming up next week... In Part 3, we'll move from understanding to transformation. I'll share practical Catholic coaching tools to help you renew your mind, establish healthy boundaries, overcome people-pleasing for good, and begin living confidently from your identity as God's beloved daughter. Books and Prayers Mentioned: Introduction to the Devout Life [https://www.amazon.com/s?k=introduction+to+the+devout+life&crid=1SPU0LAI9FV4H&sprefix=introduction+to+the+devout+life%2Caps%2C293&ref=nb_sb_noss_1] by Saint Francis De Sales The Litany of Humility [https://ascensionpress.com/pages/litany-of-humility?srsltid=AfmBOoqUp3LejqQXHRpNxizAru4OEm0cu8X6-JaftGUDzYf4vbIzQVPN] Connect with Carrie: Follow Carrie on Instagram @livingwholeandholy [https://www.instagram.com/livingwholeandholy/] ✨ If this episode resonated with you and you're ready to move from people-pleasing to holy freedom, I'd love to walk alongside you through Catholic life coaching. Schedule a Free 1:1 Catholic Coaching Clarity Call with Carrie [https://calendly.com/carriejaincoaching/coaching-consultation]

36. From People-Pleasing to Holy Freedom (Part 1): The Counterfeit Virtue: Unmasking People-Pleasing

New Podcast Series:  From People-Pleasing to Holy Freedom: How to Stop Living For the Approval of Others and Start Living For God Part 1: The Counterfeit Virtue I'm so excited to welcome you to this brand-new 3-part series about one of the biggest struggles I see in Catholic women—and one I personally had to overcome myself. Over the next three episodes, we'll explore how to stop living for the approval of others and start living for God. Most women have never been told that people-pleasing is more than an unhealthy habit. It's often praised as kindness, selflessness, or simply "being a good person." But when our desire for the approval of others becomes greater than our desire to please God, it quietly steals our peace, our identity, and our freedom. Throughout this series, we'll uncover the lies behind people-pleasing, examine what Scripture and the Catholic faith teach about it, and discover how to root our identity in Christ so we can live whole, holy, and free. 🤍 In Part 1, you'll learn: • What people-pleasing actually is—and what it isn't • Why it often disguises itself as kindness, humility, and charity • The hidden emotional and spiritual costs of living for the approval of others • The four false identities people-pleasing creates • Practical, everyday examples of how it shows up in work, marriage, parenting, friendships, faith, and decision-making • A simple homework exercise to help you begin recognizing these patterns in your own life This episode isn't about guilt or shame. It's about awareness. Because awareness isn't condemnation—it's the beginning of freedom. 📖 Scripture for the Series "Am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ." — Galatians 1:10 🙏 Saints to Ask for Intercession * St. Teresa of Avila * St. Catherine of Siena * St. Joan of Arc ➡️ Coming Next: Part 2 Where did people-pleasing come from? Why does it have such a grip on our hearts? And what do Scripture and the Catholic faith teach about breaking free? In Part 2, we'll explore the biblical and spiritual roots of people-pleasing and begin replacing lies with God's truth. Connect with Carrie: Follow Carrie on Instagram @livingwholeandholy [https://www.instagram.com/livingwholeandholy/] ✨ If this episode resonated with you and you're ready to move from people-pleasing to holy freedom, I'd love to walk alongside you through Catholic life coaching. Schedule a Free 1:1 Catholic Coaching Clarity Call with Carrie [https://calendly.com/carriejaincoaching/coaching-consultation]

35. How God Grows a Calling One “Yes" at a Time With Kristin Bryant From Novena Cards

What if the calling God has placed on your heart isn't revealed all at once—but grows through each faithful "yes"? In this week's episode, I sit down with Kristin Bryant, founder of Novena Cards [https://www.novenacards.com/], to share her incredible journey of returning to the Catholic faith and discovering the mission God had been preparing her for all along. From working as a dental hygienist to creating greeting cards, discerning religious life, and unexpectedly losing her job during the pandemic, Kristin reflects on how every season—even the ones that didn't seem connected—became part of God's greater plan. Our conversation is a beautiful reminder that God rarely asks us to have everything figured out. Instead, He simply invites us to trust Him with the next step. As we continue saying "yes," He faithfully shapes our hearts, reveals our purpose, and grows the calling He has placed within us. In this episode, we discuss: ✨ Kristin's journey back to the Catholic Church and how the Eucharist changed everything ✨ Learning to discern God's voice through prayer and the spirituality of St. Ignatius ✨ Why courage often comes before clarity ✨ How God uses every season—even the unexpected ones—to prepare us for our vocation ✨ The story behind Novena Cards and how one simple idea became a ministry that encourages thousands in prayer ✨ The beauty and power of praying novenas for ourselves and others If you've been wondering whether God is calling you to something more, or you're navigating a season of discernment, this episode is a gentle encouragement to trust that He is already at work. You don't need to know the entire path—you only need the grace to say "yes" to the next step. Because God grows a calling one faithful "yes" at a time. Resources Mentioned: The Real Presence [https://www.amazon.com/Real-Presence-Peter-Julian-Eymard/dp/1482016214]by Saint Peter Julian Eymard (Meditations on the Eucharist) Connect Kristin: Follow Kristin on Instagram: @novenacards [https://www.instagram.com/novenacards/] Novena Cards Website: novenacards.com [https://www.novenacards.com/] Connect with Carrie: Follow Carrie on Instagram @livingwholeandholy [https://www.instagram.com/livingwholeandholy/] Schedule a Free 1:1 Catholic Coaching Clarity Call with Carrie [https://calendly.com/carriejaincoaching/coaching-consultation]