A Year of Divine Abundance: Reflecting on God’s Faithfulness in 2025
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” — Jeremiah 29:11
As we close the chapter on 2025, our hearts overflow with gratitude for the incredible ways God has moved through YogaFaith. What began as a whispered promise during a Daniel Fast in 2013 has blossomed into a movement that continues to exceed every hope and dream I could have imagined.
This year has been nothing short of miraculous.
A Harvest of Hundreds
I (Michelle) stand in awe as I reflect on the hundreds of new graduates who have completed their training with YogaFaith this year—both in person and online. Each face, each story, each testimony represents a life surrendered to the beautiful calling of embodied faith. We are first YogaFaithers, as well as yoga therapists, teachers, and ministry leaders who are bringing Bible-based, Christ-centered healing to your communities, your churches, and the broken places of this world.
You are the answer to prayers I didn’t even know to pray.
Dreams Made Manifest
2025 brought the manifestation of dreams that had been germinating in prayer for years. The Lord opened doors and released His timing, making straight the paths we were called to walk, and with those we are called to walk with.
The World’s Only Christian, Bible-Based Sound Therapy Certification
We launched something completely unprecedented: the only Christian, Bible-based Sound Therapy certification in the world. This training integrates the ancient healing frequencies of sound with the eternal truth of Scripture, creating space for deep somatic healing anchored in biblical wisdom. Watching students discover how sacred sound can facilitate trauma release and spiritual breakthrough has been one of the greatest joys of this year. This course has a 30 hour level as well as a Sound Therapist Certification at the 100 hour…God be glorified!
Our Fully Online 500-Hour Master Teacher Training
This training has been years in the making! This year, we launched our Master Miracle E-Immersion — a comprehensive 500-hour Teacher Training fully online and fully accredited. This advanced certification equips leaders to teach at the 500 hour Master level while maintaining theological integrity and therapeutic excellence. The fact that students can now complete this transformative journey from anywhere in the world still moves me to tears. You’ll meet many YogaFaith Lead Trainers who journeyed alongside me to make this dream possible.
My heart has always been for those who are immobile, have travel anxiety, or simply will never travel to a training – I dedicate this space to you. As an introvert, activist, and an empath, my soul is often weary or grieved. I understand studying from the comfort of your own sacred space.
800-Hour / 1000-hour YogaFaith Yoga Therapy
And then—the pinnacle of therapeutic training—we launched our 800-hour Yoga Therapy certification, fully online. This comprehensive program represents the gold standard in yoga therapy education, meeting IAYT standards while remaining deeply rooted in biblical truth. Now, aspiring yoga therapists from anywhere in the world can receive world-class training that honors both clinical excellence and Christ-centered practice.
All glory to King Jesus!
100-Hour Trauma Sensitive YogaFaith Certification
Perhaps closest to my heart is our 100-hour Trauma Sensitive YogaFaith Certification, R-TSYF, E-Immersion. This specialized training emerged from my own journey of turning pain into purpose, working with traffick survivors, and recognizing that so many in our churches and communities carry deep trauma in their bodies. This certification gives leaders the tools to create genuinely safe, sacred spaces where healing can unfold at the pace of grace. You’ll meet many amazing YogaFaith Lead Trainers who journeyed alongside me to make this dream possible.
This ultra-sacred space is dedicated to all survivors who desire to turn their darkness into a light for others.
Gratitude Beyond Words
As I sit here, I’m overwhelmed by the faithfulness of God.
I’m grateful for every student who said “yes” to this unique and beautiful calling.
I’m grateful for the team that has worked tirelessly behind the scenes, some since the very beginning.
I’m grateful that YogaFaith is the only Christian yoga school in the world accredited with the International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT)—a distinction that affirms our commitment to therapeutic excellence while remaining uncompromisingly Christian and Bible-based. I’m grateful for our recognition by Yoga Alliance (US and Canada), the American Council of Exercise (ACE), National Association of Sports Medicine (NASM), the International Coaching Federation (ICF), and so many other organizations that validate the professional caliber of what we’re building for the Kingdom. God is a God of excellence and progression – we praise Him for guiding us into excellence with truth.
I’m grateful for the churches that have opened their doors for others to find whole worship and a profound connection to Christ.
I’m grateful for the pastors and ministry leaders who have recognized that caring for the body is part of caring for the soul.
But most of all, we (Derek and myself) are grateful that God continues to use this ministry to demonstrate that everything was created by Him, through Him, and for His glory (Colossians 1:16-17). We are grateful for those who understand that God created everything above, below, visible and invisible, there is nothing that was created without Him.
Together, we redeem what the world often turns dark – however, all things belong to God, including our meditation, dancing, singing, prayer and worship.
All glory to God.
Looking Forward
As we step into the new year, we are reminded that God’s plans are always bigger than our vision. If 2025 taught us anything, it’s that when we surrender our dreams to the Dream-Giver, He exceeds our expectations in ways that leave us breathless.
To every graduate, every student, every employer, every supporter, and prayer warrior —you are part of this story…HIS story…HIStory. You are the hands and feet bringing holistic, Christian healing to a world desperate for peace, balance, joy, and freedom.
Thank you for trusting us, and trusting YogaFaith with your training, your ministry, and your sacred calling.
Here’s to all that God will do in the year ahead.
“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” — Ephesians 3:20-21
With a heart full of gratitude,
Derek & Michelle
Founders of YogaFaith
Derek and Michelle Thielen, Photo by Paul Ostrom