As arduous as exercise can be, and as ardently as yoga class namastes stress the body-spirit connection, and as often as one wishes to take the Lord’s name in vain during the third set of squat-thrusts, it was only a matter of time before someone put it all together: Enter “Body Gospel.”
“Can you feel His presence?” asks the chipper fitness instructor on the new workout DVD, available for $79.90 (“Give Praise. Get Results”). Right now, she is demonstrating Hallelujah Hands — a move that combines a side squat with an arm scoop — which are not to be confused with Praise Arms, Praise Lunges or the Praise Run. “It’s all about combining God’s love . . . and fitness!”
Behind her, in a fitness studio designed to look like a church — soaring ceilings, stained glass — are a half-dozen or so spandex-clad fitness types.
Nothing new. Stormie Omartian (wife of singer Michael Omartian) had a few Christian fitness Albums and videos out in the 80’s: “Exercise for life” and “Fit for the King”