As Ive researched Yoga, and what some call the Christianized version, or so-called Holy Yoga, Ive come to some conclusions via a study in the Word of God. God actually does have a lot to say about Yoga, though you wont find that word anywhere in Scripture. At the bottom of this article, Ive included some very helpful articles and interviews for you to research. More importantly, please scroll over the verses highlighted here to see what Gods Word says.
First, definitions are always helpful: Yoga, according to the dictionary, is a Hindu spiritual and ascetic discipline, a part of which, including breath control, simple meditation, and the adoption of specific bodily postures, is widely practiced for health and relaxation. In Sanskrit, Yoga literally means union. The word yoga comes from the Sanskrit root yuj, which means to yoke the spirit and physical body together. Various traditions of yoga are found in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism.
That said, I have two big red flags about yoga for Christians:
1. Yoga is not an exercise practice, but a religious one, from a system that hates our Lord Jesus. Each yoga pose is actually a posture of worship to Hindu gods.
2. Yoga is designed to prepare the mind to have a spiritual experience, by bringing your mind and body into a higher level of consciousness.
While the word Yoga isnt mentioned in Scripture, the idea of yoking oneself to pagan gods and concepts is forbidden. (Leviticus 19:31 Deuteronomy 18:9 Hebrews 10:26-31, Acts 4:12, and this biggie: Joshua 23:16.)
Our bodies were created to be a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God which is our spiritual act of worship (Romans 12:1) and true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father) seeks. (John 4: 23).
Jesus says, I am the truth. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:16)
Many Christians believe that to participate in Hinduisms postures to get into Gods presence, or redefine other manipulations with Christian terminology are corrupt offerings to the LORD and an attempt to arrive by another way. This is also where I am as I read the Bible and hear the passionate pleas from those who have studied New Age and mystical practices.
Given all the strong words God Himself warns us about syncretism and friendship with the world, the conclusion I come to is that even if we attempt to add Jesus to yoga, it is not holy or pleasing to our holy Savior.
Another thought: Would it be crossing a line to Christianize other religious practices, such as praying to Allah about Mohammed in a mosque, or using Wiccan techniques in our worship time?
When you think about it like that, Yoga loses its innocence. It becomes like the meat sacrificed to idols in 1 Corinthians 10. The Bible says that if you accidentally eat meat sacrificed to idols and you arent aware of it, then no harm done. But if someone warns us and makes us aware that they sacrificed the meat to another god, and in our rebellion we eat it anyway, then that is a big problem and we are without excuse.
Yoga is that meat of a pagan Hindu god.
Here are those research links. What conclusion do you come to? I welcome you to share your thoughts in the comments section.
- WARNING: KUNDALINI YOGAS HIGHEST MANTRA MEDITATION
- YOGA FOR CHILDREN IS EXPLODING ACROSS NORTH AMERICA
- WHAT LINKS BREATH PRAYER, PRACTICING THE PRESENCE AND YOGA?
- YOGA IS ANYTHING BUT HARMLESS STRETCHING
Author Information Posted by: A. S. Amy is former co host and researcher for Stand Up For The Truth. You'll find her on her brand new news blog, Berean Research!
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