Christianity and Yoga - Some facts & insights

Christianity and Yoga - Some facts & insights

Yoga is really a sham and un-Christian, and it is against the Christian ethos. It's a spiritual practice of a faith in which I do not believe. Some may say that yoga is a completely non-religious activity, it simply involves music and movement with no religious content, and they may even criticize the Christians are narrow minded. It is better not to be broad minded to such stuff and sin against God. Any alternative philosophies or beliefs are offering a sham. Yoga has its roots in Hinduism, and attempts to use exercises and relaxation techniques to put a person into a calm frame of mind - in touch with some kind of impersonal spiritual reality.

Yoga may appear harmless or even beneficial, but it is encouraging people to think that there is a way to wholeness of body and mind through human techniques - whereas the only true way to wholeness is by faith in God through Jesus Christ. Wouldn't want people to have a calm frame of mind or to embrace their own spirituality and human ability, right? No. And of course Christianity never "borrowed" anything from other religions when it was convenient, right?

The physical and breathing exercises associated with yoga may not have 'religion' in it. But yoga is not merely breathing exercises and postures. Yoga also involves teachings like KUNDALINI, the energy that supposedly lies dormant in you like a coiled serpent at the base of the spine, which, when activated, could zoom through your 'chakras' and provide you with bliss and unity with a supposed 'supreme being'. Moreover, the Hindu deity 'shiva', believed to have three eyes and four arms and residing at the Himalayas with a serpent coiled around his neck, is considered to be the patron deity for yoga. One can feel free to believe all this or reject it. But to say that Yoga is NOT connected to any religion is simply false. Hence surely, a Christian vicar has genuine reasons to draw a line which he refuses to cross.

God is right there for us, we just have to reach out to Him because He is actively seeking us. We do not have to engage in extensive physical activities and spiritual disciplines to have a relationship with God.

Many state that yoga helps them feel relaxed and gives them energy. These are the same effects that Transcendental Meditation espoused back in the 1970's before it was finally deemed a religious practice. All TM practitioners were initiated in "Puja" ceremony and brought offerings and made vows to Hindu gods when they received their mantras. All prospective TM'ers were told that they were only paying homage to eastern traditions and that the prayers were just to acknowledge the tradition and had no spiritual significance. Later the Maharishi relented and confessed that by being initiated into TM that you basically became a Hindu.

I believe that it is highly problematic for Christians to practice the discipline of yoga in the name of yoga, which means "union" with the divine, and expect it to help us get you closer to the "divine" or god. Our reconciliation with God is by faith and not by physical preparation or purification. (Colossians 2:23) "God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8) It is our sin that separates us from God, not our lack of physical purification. Bondage to strongholds of anger, bitterness, rage and sexual immorality will separate us from God and yoga in no way can address the reality of sin other than provide a mechanism to dissociate from it or deny the reality of it. In fact, forgiveness of sin does not exist in the Hindu karmic system.

Many Christians who practice yoga say that it allows them to relax and clear their mind. My question is does God really want us to clear our minds when we pray to Him or is God really trying to have a conversation with us and bring up issues and anxieties that we need to attend to when we pray to Him. He wants us to give our cares to Him but we need to own them before we can give them over to Him. He wants to be with us in our pain and teach us and heal us in the process. He doesn't want us to send all of our cares, concerns and un-reconciled emotions into some spiritual hyperspace through manipulation of our bodies and consciousness with yoga postures, breathing and meditation techniques.


Yoga's intent is to open us spiritually to powers and demonic forces and perhaps even principalities that God never had any intention of us messing with. This is exactly what the Hindu chakra system is all about. Although God created us and all things in the spiritual world including whatever spiritual reality chakras actually are, He gives us clear warnings in scripture about engaging in activities of becoming mediums, diviners and channelers which is what the chakra system leads to. Yoga is one of the severest forms of idolatry that one can engage in and, frankly, most Christians have a very weak understanding of the nature of idolatry. If we think that through manipulating our bodies and consciousness that we can get closer to God, we are in a sense focusing on (worshiping) ourselves to get to God. Think about it for a minute, the act of trying to clear our mind to reach some higher form of consciousness is actually focusing on the activities of our minds not focusing on God. We are actually engaging in one of the most extreme forms of self-focus which in reality is auto-idolatry.

From a philosophical and ontological point of view, is it really possible to try to clear our minds while trying to clear our minds? You are not really clearing your mind but engaging in an act of self-deception by trying to empty something that cannot be emptied. This is the deception that opens us up to dark side. You are not clearing your mind but actually are opening yourself up to other spiritual realities that will deceive you by creating physical, mental and spiritual experiences and effects that are totally deceptive. The same goes for the general eastern idea of dissociating from the self or ego. It is just not possible. If we think that we can destroy some essence of who we are and how God created us to reach some higher state of consciousness we are deceived. Yes, we are to crucify ourselves to sin and the desires of the flesh but the eastern approach is entirely different.

If you say you are doing it only for exercise, why not try modern dance or other forms of stretching. Churches that are offering "Christian" yoga are not doing it simply for exercise but really because they think it will improve their "spirituality". This is exactly the reason they shouldn't be doing it. Are they offering weight lifting and aerobics classes? I think not. Why must Christians insist on grabbing onto every worldly trend and deny the clear warnings of scripture. God's word tells us that there are things that He just doesn't want us to do and He desires obedience over sacrifice. (Deut. 18 & 1 Samuel 15:22)

In America, at least half of "yogis" identify themselves as Christians. The fact is, it's a potential $27 billion industry, with the average participant spending $1500 per year on everything from clothing to weekend retreats. So, why alienate biggest audience of "Christian" Americans?"


Many have accused me of not having a strong enough engage in activities such as yoga and eastern meditation. My answer is - do you have enough faith to believe in God's Word and be obedient. Can you withstand the temptation not to engage in such an idolatrous and trendy activity such as yoga? The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

Matthew 7:15 says, "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves."

Monic [Compiled from various online resources]

I don't understand these:
Yahweh Yoga! - Alice Latham practicing yoga & identifying herself as a Christian - Christian Yoga (Chroga)

http://yahwehyoga.net
http://www.christianspracticingyoga.com/p-yogaspirit.htm#
http://www.restministries.org/hk_mag/05_06_2004/yogaforyou.htm

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