Christine Branson

The short version of the story is: Christ-centered yoga has helped me through major transitions in my life, joy, heartbreak and adjusting to new life seasons. It is helping me to find my own voice, my identity in Christ and to show grace to myself as God shows me grace. It is an avenue through which I have an opportunity to pour out to others, and I am filled with joy in knowing and coming alongside them.

Here is the long version of the story:

I never imagined my path would bring me to Cleveland, TN to teach Faith-Based Yoga. I am so grateful God went before and paved a way, long before I had any idea.

I grew up in beautiful Colorado Springs, CO and attended Colorado State University where I earned a bachelors in Communication Studies. Then, I spent seven years (2010-2017) in Southern California working for a non-profit historic landmark planning large-scale annual events. My work involved a high level of responsibility and largely shaped me throughout my 20s. I met my husband, Josiah, in California while he was in the Marine Corps at Camp Pendleton. After a year married, we moved closer to my roots and relocated to the Denver Metro area.

I continued to work in the nonprofit sector planning events for a faith-based homeless services provider/rescue mission (2018-2021). The work load was high and demanding, especially through the pandemic.

I went through major transitions in my background of movement and exercise as well. Dance training and performance shaped most of my life from school age years through early 20s. Then at 26, I turned to a brand new challenge of high-endurance triathlon training as well as yoga for recovery. I loved yoga as a unique experience, whether in a boutique studio, outdoors overlooking the ocean, in the historic gardens of my workplace or balancing on a paddleboard.

After so many major transitions that were defining in my life up to that point (dance to triathlons, single to married, California to Colorado, career change), I was searching for what would shape the next chapter of my life. I found Holy Yoga that offered Christ-centered yoga instructor training. I completed my 200-hour instructor certification in May 2019 when I was 30 years old and 30 weeks pregnant. After the birth of our first daughter, continuing to work full-time and the pandemic, I had not arrived yet at the right opportunity to start teaching yoga.

In early 2022, after the birth of our second daughter, we chose to move to Cleveland, TN to be nearer to by husband’s large family and our daughters’ many cousins. We decided that with the move, I would be able to leave full-time work to spend my days instead caring for our girls and our home. This opened up the opportunity to teach yoga two afternoons a week and take my girls along with me to enjoy time at the Cleveland Family YMCA.

I have been teaching Faith-Based Yoga classes at the Y since September 2022. It has been such a joy to meet so many who have found value in the class and have made it a part of their life. As a transplant to Cleveland, I am so grateful for all the people I have the opportunity to meet. It has given me a place of purpose, peace and belonging as I have navigated the transition to our new life here in Cleveland.

You are invited to come find community, encouragement and movement at Faith-Based Yoga, too. There is always a place for you.