The Hippie Fitness

The Hippie FitnessThe Hippie Fitness

by Rosa Coker

An Exercise Journey

Iam passionate about helping others become the healthiest he/ she can be, whatever that looks like to that individual. As a person who was always active and fit, due to circumstances beyond my control (helping take care of my father who ultimately succumbed to cancer, taking care of two boys who were in school and played sports, and I was a single mom working two jobs and putting myself through college), my life as I knew—workout routine, outdoor activities, social life, etc.—was put on hold to simply take care of my life. Fast forward three years after my father passed in 1998, I was still not back to a healthy routine, and I replaced my healthy habits with laziness, and Moose Tracks ice cream was my “go-to.” So, five years after any exercise ceased to exist, I found myself sixty pounds overweight, suffering from low self-esteem, low confidence, and no social life. The straw that broke the overweight camel’s back, so to speak, was bumping into a long-time friend whom I had not seen in quite some years and hearing him say, “Man, now you’re the prettiest fat girl I know.” My first thought was don’t let him see you cry, put that fake smile on your face, and laugh with him. I had gotten way too accustomed to using myself as the brunt of jokes when inside, I just wanted to crawl back into my container of Moose Tracks, drown my pity, and cry!

However tacky his actions may have been, it was exactly what I needed to get back on a healthier, happier, and much more confident track. I recall getting home a few hours after the above-mentioned encounter, looking at myself in a fulllength mirror, releasing all those held back tears, and saying, “You did this, only you can fix this!” I immediately joined a local gym where I could find accountability and like-minded individuals. I hated every humiliating step into the gym. I felt like my out-of-shape body stood out like a light bulb and I wrestled with the cost of the gym. But I stayed with it until one day I was hooked. I yearned to get to my fitness classes, to see familiar faces who were becoming my friends, and the random, occasional person stopping to simply say, “I’ve been watching you, and you are doing great!” served as great encouragement.

Here are a few things I’ve discovered about myself through this exercise journey:

1. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13) 2. Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God and you are not your own (1 Corinthians 6:19) 3. Garbage in/Garbage out (so, fill your body and spirit with good things)

4. Don’t compare your body with anyone else and find the exercise that you enjoy—there’s something for everyone! 5. If you want to see the six-pack stomach, it truly starts in the kitchen! 6. Most importantly, learn to communicate with the Father. (He’s always with me, I was simply not being with Him) Trust His voice!

The Hippie Fitness Studio

I received my Bachelor’s degree from Covenant College and studied in a Master’s program at Bryan College. Over the last eight years, I have received Group Fitness and Barre training, a certification in Indoor Cycle, and a 200-Hour Yoga certification. I am studying to become a Health and Wellness Coach and have taught at a local gym since 2015. In August 2021, I felt led to find my own space. So, I obeyed and purchased a small brick house right where I always envisioned I’d have a fitness studio. Hence the birth of The Hippie Fitness in Rocky Face, Georgia. I have recently completed a Holy Yoga 100-Hour certification. I plan to bring my love for God into my classes and weave scripture and the Holy Spirit into our movements. Truthfully, I’m ecstatic to see where God takes me!

At The Hippie Fitness, I, and a few great like-minded friends, offer various styles of yoga—including Holy Yoga— Barre, Bounce, Cardio, Sculpting, Small Group, and Personal Training classes, along with lots of fun community events. Our facility is available to rent for small parties, activities, training classes, dance lessons, etc. The Hippie Chics (me and a few other Hippies) also offer Bachelorette/Wedding Fitness Parties, Birthday Parties, and Girls Night Out Fitness Parties at The Hippie Fitness studio, or we can come to their chosen venue!

What is Holy Yoga?

So, let’s talk about yoga. First of all, I’m a grandchild of a Southern Baptist preacher and a graduate of Christian-based schools, so I had my personal beliefs and hang-ups about practicing yoga. Why was I so opposed to yoga? Let me count the ways: If I practiced yoga, I would be disgracing God, right? Wouldn’t I be confessing to some other gods or beliefs? Truthfully, I simply never believed yoga was real exercise! I began immersing myself in the study of yoga, its root, heritage, foundation, and how the poses benefit the human body and mind. I fell in love with the practice, at first, from the physical aspect of what yoga has to offer. As I delved deeper into the study of yoga, I fell in love with Yin and Restorative Yoga— the calmness, the closeness (mindfulness), and the intimate connection I feel with God during my practice.

At The Hippie Fitness, we offer Holy Yoga classes. You can join us to experience traditional yoga practices with a Christcentered focus. We will “be still” with Christ, set our intention, and be thankful for the blessing of a healthy body. This is a peaceful time on your mat with God. We go through poses and deep breaths and truly offer God our undivided attention to simply sit at His feet and be loved unconditionally! This practice allows you to be immersed in joy, peace, and serenity! Oftentimes, I tear up simply being in the room, watching my students, and seeing peace on their faces (calm in an otherwise chaotic world). Even I, at first, would leave my class confused as to why my yoga practice would have such a purifying, heartopening, God-like effect on me. And to add a “cherry on top,” I sometimes get the pleasure of seeing some of my students experience those same feelings.

So, come get groovy with us! The Hippie Fitness is located at 2625 Chattanooga Road, Rocky Face, GA 30740. For any questions, call The Hippie Fitness at (706)-847-0241. You can also follow The Hippie Fitness on Facebook, @thehippiefitness, for class information and encouragement!