Being an older surfer in Cocoa Beach can be challenging. While we sometimes get good swells, we also endure days, even weeks, when it’s flat. This means you can’t rely on surfing alone to stay in good shape.

Although I enjoy playing sports, I’ve never enjoyed exercising. I’ve tried weightlifting, jogging, and even “surfing workouts” in the gym, but I eventually lose interest and stop. When a good swell rolls through, I struggle to find my rhythm in the water because I’m out of shape. Winded from paddling out, slow to pop up, and sore to the bone after a two-hour session, I tell myself, “You’ve got to get back in the gym.”

Not too long ago, I remembered a conversation with an older surfer at The Longboard House. He said that, after turning forty, the best thing he did to improve his surfing was to take up yoga. I tried yoga but it didn’t stick. Now I needed to do something to stay in shape between swells, and it seemed better than repping out squats next to a guy flexing in a mirror while drinking water from a gallon jug. So I started going to Infinity Yoga with my friend, Dan.

My initial logic was simple: Dan does yoga and rips. Maybe if I do yoga, I will rip too.

While I’m not as consistent in my practice as I’d like to be, I’m practicing yoga more often and experiencing real physical and spiritual benefits.

Before going to class today, I read Psalm 106:1-5 during morning prayer, which led me to meditate on mercy. When I got to yoga, the instructor (as usual) led us through deep breathing, reminded us of the importance of staying open and compassionate, and invited us to “set an intention” for the class. After silently reciting the Jesus prayer in cadence with my breathing, I set my intention on what I had already been pondering, namely mercy.

As in all meditation, the mind wanders. In the middle of class, while twisted in a challenging pose, the instructor, Martha, said, “Notice in your body what feels good, and focus on that.” While this initially brought my attention to physical sensations I would have otherwise missed, it also got me thinking about life. About how we often feel comfort and discomfort at the same time, and how we have a choice about where to focus our attention. It got me thinking about the benefits of learning to be comfortable in uncomfortable positions, and about how to relax under stress.

My wandering mind returned to the room when Martha reminded us to resume breathing and refocus on our intention. After a couple of deep breaths, it suddenly struck me, “I’m praying.” In addition to exercise, my time on the mat was becoming an extension of my morning prayer time with God. It also occurred to me that throughout the class, my awareness of others waxed and waned. I noticed an inward and outward movement of attention, a rhythm of going inward to pray alone, followed by going outward to pray with others. That led to another realization: yoga is a form of worship.

This was a joyful discovery because, as a pastor, I often feel that my responsibilities for leading weekly services leave me little time to sink into the presence of God with others in corporate worship. But this is exactly what was happening on the mat today, and it’s exactly what I needed.

At the end of class, the instructor offered positive, loving, and encouraging words. She reminded us that we are full of light and should share it with others. This warmed my heart because light has long been one of my favorite meditation images. During my devotional time, I often imagine breathing in light until my heart glows, then breathing out light as my whole body is illuminated. (Check out Matthew 5:16.) So the final words at the end of practice felt like one of many small confirmations that I’m on the right path in this season of my life.

What better way to stay in shape than to practice a form of meditative exercise that will not only improve my surfing but also make me a better human being?

Who knows, maybe this is a form of exercise I will finally stick with, even if it doesn’t make me rip like Dan.