Yoga, especially hot yoga, is by far my favorite form of exercise. When I attend a yoga class, I’m not only exercising my body, but I’m exercising my mind, and I always feel like a brand new person after I finish my class. If you haven’t been to a yoga class before, I highly recommend trying it out. If you have been to a yoga class before, then odds are that you know exactly what I’m talking about.

As soon as you walk into a yoga studio, you immediately start to feel relaxed as you breathe in the essential oils that linger in the air of the studio and begin to set up your mat. Usually, the room is dimly lit as fellow yogis set up their mats and begin preparing for their practice. Some people may lie on their backs with their eyes closed, as they breathe deeply and begin to relax and prepare their minds. Others may do some light stretching before they delve full force into the class.

Once the instructor enters and begins the class, they begin taking you through some deep breathing, and while you are taking those big, beautiful breaths in and out, the instructor reminds you of a few things. They remind you that it doesn’t matter how well you do in this class, the important part is that you’re here. You made it to your mat, and you’re trying to improve your soul, as well as your body. You’re reminded to leave that crummy workday, long list of unaccomplished errands and that lack of self-confidence right outside the door. In this place, you are trying, and that’s what counts.

Yoga is a very “come as you are” practice, and that’s what I believe so many love about it. You don’t feel judgment when the girl next to you twists around like a pretzel and you just aren’t quite there yet. Instead, you lean into your pose a little deeper and you’re reminded that you’re working hard, and that’s what matters.

After you have given your best for an hour, maybe ninety minutes, you end your yoga practice by laying on your mat and allowing each and every muscle to have a moment of complete relaxation.The instructor, again, reminds you that in making it to your mat, even if you’re tired and didn’t meet every expectation for yourself, that you conquered the obstacles to get here, and you did the best you could do today. They close the class speaking about light, love, and acceptance.

What if we took the very basic concept of yoga and made it a part of our churches’ atmosphere? No, I’m not talking about bringing our yoga mats to church and working out together, although that would be pretty cool. I mean that concept of “come as you are.” It doesn’t matter what you wear, the things you’ve done, or the things that have happened to you, just come.

The church is not full of perfect people. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. If we aimed to create an environment where people felt they could come exactly as they are, and we wouldn’t judge, then think of all those who may give church a try. No one is perfect, and what I believe many Christians forget (myself included), is that every single sin is equal in God’s eyes. So, instead of standing outside clinics holding up hateful signs, or treating someone differently because they don’t agree with the same things you do, love them and assure them that they can come as they are, that they are equally loved and there is no judgment or expectations to be a perfect person.

When Jesus was on earth, He didn’t just speak about love, He showed it to everyone around Him. He was, without a doubt, the greatest teacher. He wasn’t surrounded by the wealthiest people or people who were looked at as “the best.” Instead, he was surrounded by the poor, the people who were looked down on, and they weren’t perfect, but they loved Jesus and they were listening to His teaching and trying to apply it in their lives. I’m not saying we have to agree and support every moral and ethical decision that someone makes, but rather than looking down on someone, what if we loved them like Jesus teaches us? And, in turn, we are showing them the love of Christ.

The church is not about being perfect. It’s not a place for you to feel like you are better than others, and, more than anything, it shouldn’t be an unwelcoming place. Church, just like a yoga class, should feel like you can come as you are, because sometimes just showing up is an accomplishment, and that’s okay. A place where you can ask questions, learn and come to know about Jesus, and begin to grow yourself.

Whether you go to church on a regular basis, or maybe you’ve been thinking about trying it out, I want you to know that you can come as you are. I am thankful to be a part of a church that loves all people and makes them feel welcome, no matter what their past experiences are.

If we made church a little more like yoga, and encouraged people not only to come as they are, but reminded them that the step of making it to church to grow and learn is enough for now, then maybe we would see more people not only attend church, but come to know Jesus in a more personal way, to “grow” themselves spiritually. What might our world look like if we practiced love more regularly? Hmm, church on the mat anyone?