Should Christians practice Yoga for their body and mind
Should Christians practice yoga and rename it as Christian yoga? Here is my perspective as an Indian.
I am an Indian Christian by birth and was raised in the Northern part of India. My great grandparents were also Christians and Indians by birth . My parents are Christian Missionaries and have been serving the Lord for the past 30 plus years.
I can speak, and write three of the Indian languages fluently.
I am even very familiar with the names of hindu gods, festivals, and cuisines.
Growing up, I have had many Hindu friends with whom I played with and went to school with together. My entire neighborhood was filled with Hindus and we always lived in harmony with them.
NOTE : I mean no disrespect to the people from my birth country in my post right here and has no intention of putting down a group. It is merely to help understand how yoga should be viewed by a believer.
I hope you will stay and read till the end of this post.
Alienated Indian
While growing up in India, we, the Christians were always seen ,alienated, and labelled as WESTERNERS, and Jesus was referred to as some foreign God by the Hindus.
It is an irony because it is said that the first original Indians natives were thought to be the African and Native Australoid race. Many migrated to North and South India from different parts of the world including Persia.
My point is that every human is at some point a migrating traveler on this earth.
No one has the right to break the harmony of any citizen living in a land by any sort of discrimination or use of violence.
Sharing Gospel tract in India is always condemned and cause of severe attack by the Hindu fanatics.
Note : The Bible does not mention to forcibly convert any soul and no Christian are to bribe a non Christian to convert. We are only to share the GOOD NEWS of hope , redemption and eternal life through Jesus Christ.
Before we answer the question of “Should Christians practice yoga for their mind” Let learn few things about Yoga.
The Origin of Yoga
Yoga lies at the heart of Hinduism, and yoga can never be separated ever from the religion. No matter how modernized Yoga is seen today.
The yogi is striving to become one with Brahm, the Hindu godhead.
Hindus believe that the Westerners have commercialized Yoga as merely a form of exercise.
Yoga was introduced in the US in the 1800’s by Swami Vivekananda. This Swami(teacher) was known to have carried “the Imitation of Christ by Thomas Kempis and studied the teachings of Jesus.
Yoga in Sanskrit means to “unite” as a practice to control one’s body and ultimately one’s mind. In their Book, yoga is to achieve MOKSHA – salvation from the cycle of birth and rebirth.
“”There, having the mind actively focused upon a single point, with thought and sense activity controlled, Sitting on a seat, one should practice yoga forpurification of the self.
With an aligned body, head, and neck – keeping these steady, without movement; Focusing the vision toward the tip of one’s nose without looking about in any direction.”- Bhagavad Gita 6.12 – 13
The other day I received an email from the govt of India “My Life My yoga contest ” . My eyes caught up on the quote by the Prime Minister of India , Mr. Narendra Modi . This is what he says about yoga.
“Yoga is not merely an exercise but a way to attain peace through physical, mental, and spiritual well-being”
What is Moksha?
Moksha means salvation. The ultimate goal of yoga is the attainment of liberation (Moksha) from worldly suffering and the cycle of birth and death (Samsara).
SALVATION FOR A CHRISTIAN:
Romans 10: 9 “if you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is LORD,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” There can be no other way.
Christian Yoga & Exercise
“There is no Christian Yoga” Yogi Baba Prem said one of the articles I read.
“Efforts to separate yoga from its spiritual center reveal ignorance of the goal of yoga,” said Subhas Tiwari, Professor of Yoga Philosophy( A hindu)
Hatha-yoga is ‘one of the six recognized systems of orthodox Hinduism’ and is at its roots religious and mystical. It is one of the secularized version used today in the Western culture.
What the practice of hatha-yoga is designed to do is suppress the flow of psychic energies through these channels thereby forcing the ‘serpent power’ or the kundalini force to rise through the central psychic channel in the spine and up through the chakras.
Kundalini means energy that is coiled like a snake at the base of the spine. It is one of the most popular form of exercise Yoga brought by a man from India in 1968 to make everyone healthy , happy, and holy.
Yoga was never intended to be an exercise for Hindus, it is a posture of worship to the Hindu gods, and incarnation of their Divine power.( B.K.S. Iyengar – a hindu Yogi).
While a snake is revered in India, serpent is not seen in a good light in the Bible.
Genesis 3: 1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, “Indeed, has God said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden’?
1 Timothy 4:8, NIV Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.”
Yoga and Christianity
The other day I received an email from the govt of India “My Life My yoga contest ” . My eyes caught up on the quote by the Prime Minister of India , Mr. Narendra Modi . This is what he says about yoga.
“Yoga is not merely an exercise but a way to attain peace through physical, mental, and spiritual well-being”
Yoga is the physical, mental and spiritual practices or disciplines that aim to transform body and mind.”
What does Christ say about transforming our minds?
Romans 12:1 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind
The syllable OM also pronounced as AUM stands for the names of three gods in Hinduism. It fills one with tranquility, peace, and calmness.
Yoga teaches one to find peace within themselves.
What does the Bible say about peace?
Psalm 94: 19 When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Your consolations delight my soul
Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Isaiah 26:3. 3 You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you,…
John 14: 27 Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled; do not be afraid.
2 Thessalonians 3:16 Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance. The Lord be with you all!
So should Christians practice yoga for peace?
2 Corinthians 10: 5 We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.
Every 84 something poses that Yoga has is a posture of worship of Hindu gods
Everyone is considered gods for Hindus even a human is worshipped. They believe that they are divine themselves. Snakes, Elephants ,tiger, Cows, Monkey are also seen as revered as god.
We will be perfectly healthy — body, soul, and mind — in the new heavens and the new earth after resurrection, and that is our glory — that is our hope. John Piper
Should Christians practice yoga and treat the postures of gods simply as an exercise?
There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” (Proverbs 14:12)
CAN CHRISTIANITY COEXIST WITH A Hindu PRACTICE
Hindus will never compromise on their beliefs and use a Bible verse that has Jesus and put the names of their gods in it.
They will never call their gathering a Hindu Lord supper or Hindu Psalm fellowship.
Imagine Hindus or anyone who isn’t a Christian lifting up a huge Cross and using it as part of a bicep exercises.
Even if someone who doesn’t believe in Jesus will use Cross as an exercise, Cross will always be a remembrance of the sacrifice Jesus Christ made on behalf of His creation.
Christians are hated in India and other parts of the words. There are many who gave their life because of the persecution by the extremists.
Swami Sivasiva Palani in his January 1991 “Open Letter to Evangelicals” in Hinduism Today said Yoga instructors are Yoga missionaries. He continues, “They may not call themselves Hindu, but Hindus know where yoga came from and where it goes,”
2 Corinthians 6:14-17: For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? . . . What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people. Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord.”
Deuteronomy 13:30: . . . be careful not to be ensnared by inquiring about their gods, saying, “How will these nations serve their gods, we will do the same.”
So, the question remains
– Is it okay to take these particular posture exercises and call them “CHRISTIAN YOGA”?
-Should Christians practice yoga for health reasons when Christians are persecuted and killed?
How Hindu Extremists view Christians in INDIA. My reason behind this post.
One Sunday morning two women walked into the Church where my parents and other believers were worshipping , and claimed(they lied) to be Christians from the state of U.P., India.
They asked my dad for some tracts which my dad readily gave. They walked out 10 minutes later. After the worship was over ,my parents noticed couple of pictures of Hindu gods and goddesses outside the church gate. They let it be there without making a fuss.
The next morning, a mob of 300 Hindu fanatics and a group of news reporter gathered outside the Church ready to beat my dad up.
Their FALSE accusations? They claim that my parents threw out their gods pictures on the ground and are forcefully converting Hindus into Christianity.
They were told that they will demolish the Church and convert it in a temple.
The Police commissioner and other authorities found the claims of the fanatics to be false upon investigation.
It has become increasingly difficult for even Indian born Missionaries to live peaceably and many are being persecuted and even martyred for Christ.
Good Fridays are not recognized as a holiday anymore. Anti-conversion laws have been decided.
There are radical groups on Twitter and Facebook trying to find Christians to persecute them.
Conversion of Christians?
Exactly three days later after the incident with my parents, my kids came back from school and told me their teacher let them watch YOGA exercise and taught them to do “Namaste” and “OM” .
(Namaste means I bow down to the god in you. This is an affirmation of pantheism.)
An Entire continent away from India, my American born toddlers who have no clue about Hinduism is now taught Yoga in the form of EXERCISE. They came home and repeated them.
Now shouldn’t the use of videos, mantras, yoga mat be also labelled as “forcible conversion” of the Christians?
Just days ago , their grandparents was falsely harassed by a specific Hindu extremists because they are Indian Christian missionaries.
Can a daughter’s heart grieve?
-Why do American schools then refuse to include TobyMac , Casting Crowns ,or Mandisa’s song as part of a dance exercise ?
Persecution Relief has recorded over 477 persecution incidents in the year 2018 against Christians and 110 incidents in 2019 ( and it is only March) n India.
Graham Staines ,an Australian missionary along with his 10 and 8 year old sons where burnt alive while they were sleeping in their vehicle on January 23rd ,1999 in India. His wife Gladys and daughter Esther survived. What about their sacrifices?
FINAL REFLECTION :
-Should we still entertain a watered down form of a heavily Hindu-rooted Yoga exercise while our fellow believers are being persecuted / executed and Bibles are being burnt all over the world?
– Should the term ‘yoga’ be still used in a Christian’s life when Christianity is seen as an intolerable group of people ? Are we then supposed to only follow certain commandments from the Bible and not the WHOLE?
-If this is indeed a controversial and intolerable topic then why are we not including Muslim Salat(prayer) and positions into our Christian prayer routines?
-Can we be physically fit or mentally peaceful ONLY by replacing OM for Jesus, Mantras for Christian prayers, and regular gym exercises for Yoga?
– How can one exercise their freedom in Christ without being a stumbling block to a new Christian who left their pagan beliefs for Jesus?
I leave it up-to you to ponder and learn for yourself from the Word for discernment.
In Christ
Diana.
Frances
March 22, 2019 at 3:30 pmDiana, My heart grieves at how you must feel about this situation. Your article was very interesting. I have never agreed with doing yoga. How dare a school teacher try to warp minds of youngsters! Not all teachers in America are like that. I will continue to pray for you & your parents. God bless you all!
Diana
March 22, 2019 at 7:38 pmThank you Frances for reading and always encouraging me 🙂
RebeccaLynn
March 22, 2019 at 4:59 pmThis is from the Holy Spirit, Himself— and by His gift of discernment! I couldn’t have written it better and pray many will read it. Bless you— and I’m continuing to pray for your family!
Diana
March 22, 2019 at 7:38 pmThank you Rebecca for stopping by and also for sharing 🙂 I am saying a pray for you and your ministry as well
Joanne Troppello
July 31, 2019 at 9:54 pmVery interesting and informative article. Thanks for sharing this.
Gretchen Fleming
March 22, 2019 at 7:36 pmExcellent article Diana! Well said. I have been praying for your parents ever since you posted last week about them. God bless them for their long service to His Name!!
Diana
March 22, 2019 at 7:37 pmThank you Gretchen for praying 🙂 The Lord watches over those who serve Him diligently
Kathleen
March 23, 2019 at 7:21 amWow I couldn’t agree more. I have heard various “excuses” on how yoga is merely exercise. In my experience, it’s never been worth the time if you want to get in shape. I tried it a few years ago. Exorcists warn that this is not spiritually wise. Your analogy of weight lifting a cross is great. I’ll share with my friends. Pray for the lost and keep up the good work. God bless you and your parents.
Diana
March 23, 2019 at 10:44 amKathleen, thank you for your visit and your insights with regards to Christians and yoga practice . Stay blessed and thank you for sharing with your friends
Leah
March 23, 2019 at 8:34 amDiana, with all due respect, I disagree with you on some of the points you made.
I am a holy spirit filled, Jesus loving, believer. And I go to a yoga class two times a week. I have never felt convicted of this. It is slightly offending to hear that I cannot be a Christian and practice yoga.
No doubt, that the history and original practice of yoga comes from pagan roots. I have learned many things about the historical context of yoga and more about where it comes from after reading this post, so I thank you for your insight about this!
About my practice: I live in the bible belt of America. My yoga instructor was also born in India and lived there until he was 10. At the studio I attend, there is absolutely no meditation. It is purely stretching and strength building. There is even Christian music and worship music that is played as we exercise! Not all yoga studios or teachers teach from the original yoga scene. There is definitely a new-age movement in America where yoga and meditation and other things are used and it is not a practice or class I would ever attend as a believer. I do agree with you on that.
You mentioned Yoga has pagan roots–no doubt it does. But so does Easter–do Christians celebrate that. So does Halloween—many Christians participate that—so does Christmas even— there are SO many things we do in our culture today that comes from pagan roots. If the heart of the person is not thinking about them in this way, then I personally believe that’s all that matters.
You mentioned would Christians be offended if someone was working out in a way that looks like Jesus’s cross. Well there are several exercises that resemble this T position. If the heart of the person was not imagining Jesus on the cross and was simply trying to gain arm strength–No I absolutely would not be offended.
I can do a “Kundalini squat” and not be dwelling on the Hindu God. I can be thinking about my Lord and Savior–Jesus.
While I can’t separate the history of yoga–I can do the exercises and still be a Christian.
Paul tells us to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling. I have done this. He also advises us if something offends our brothers or sisters in Christ, to not to that offensive thing in front of them or around them. After reading this post, I will definitely be more mindful of the practice of yoga with believers who are not from the western world. So I thank you for that 🙂
And one more thought, I am a public school teacher. I have taught my students several “yoga” poses–while Christian music plays in the background. I have not taught them meditation. Butterfly position is a state standard for students to be able to do in a physical education class! Just be aware that not all schools are the same, not all teachers are the same, and just because someone practices yoga does not mean they are not Christians and that they are not going to be with Jesus in heaven one day.
Respectfully,
Leah
Diana
March 23, 2019 at 10:42 amThank you for taking your time to read and respond , Leah . I appreciate your visit . Blessings
Brenda
March 23, 2019 at 9:35 amThis was very enlightening. I must admit, even though, I’ve never done yoga, I was contemplating it. I wanted it for the flexibility, I admired, in those I saw practicing. May the Lord continue to safeguard your parents during theses tumultuous times.
Ifeoma Samuel
March 23, 2019 at 10:09 amSpot on, deep truth. It is very disturbing to read endorsements of Yoga practic by so called Christians. Brave post!
Thanks for sharing te truth unashamedly.
Will continue to pray for your family
Diana
March 23, 2019 at 10:43 amThank you for praying for my family , it means a lot . Thank you for also visiting me and for your encouragement
Susan McCoy
March 23, 2019 at 12:48 pmThank you for more confirmation that Christians should not practice yoga. My prayers for your parents.
Janene Eldred
March 23, 2019 at 2:28 pmThank you so much for this clarification into yoga. I have tried it before, and it just didn’t “sit” right with me. Now I know why. I will let other Christian friends know about this information. God bless you and your family.
Emily Hillery
March 23, 2019 at 3:47 pmThank you so much for writing this post. You have communicated clearly and Biblically.
Diana
March 23, 2019 at 4:33 pmThank you Emily . I am so glad it was helpful to you for I made sure that it was rooted in the Word .
Beth
March 23, 2019 at 3:58 pmI’m so sorry to hear how your parents have been treated, Diana! That’s so scary! I just want them to move to the US to escape those threats. But I also realize that may not be what God wants for them. So I will add them to my prayer list and join you in fighting back even the subtlest hint of evil in our culture and communities. Standing strong! Thanks for this courageous post!
Diana
March 23, 2019 at 4:28 pmI , too wish to protect them and have them settle here in the US but they have decided to stay there. Thank you for your prayers. So much valuable to me . I am blessed by your friendship
Mandy
March 23, 2019 at 5:33 pmThank you for this information. I have always had a sort of “red flag” feeling when it came to yoga. This confirms my feelings that we should obstain from doing yoga.
Karen Sweeney Ryall
March 23, 2019 at 10:15 pmThank you for sharing and I pray protection for your family. I have heard about history and positions before and chose to stay clear of it. I would rather err on the side of caution than do something that opens a wrong spiritual door. There are many Christians who do the things Leah mentioned but I also do not do Easter eggs and refer to it as Resurrection Sunday, do not celebrate Halloween, not Santa and other such choices. We are to be in the world, not of it and when we become aware of a spiritual concern, choose not to. Life goes on just fine without and my younger children who experienced most of my new choices were not traumatized. Each person must be personally convicted so you are sharing from your heart to educate and then reader needs to pray and reflect how this impacts them.
Diana
March 23, 2019 at 11:12 pmThank you Karen for taking your precious time to write to me . I do not celebrate bunny eggs or Halloween . Nor Santa . In fact I was taught to remember each day especially every Sunday the birth , life , death, and resurrection of our Lord . My post was just a caution and nothing else . Thank you for seeing that .
Dr tojo mampilly
March 24, 2019 at 7:21 amDiana, I can see that you have done your homework well as you have penned your findings in explicit detail.
May our Lord Jesus Christ continue to guide you to be his instrument in propagating his word undiluted to those Christians who have been led to understand that a little bit of everything is acceptable in our modern society. God Almighty bless you and your family
Diana
March 24, 2019 at 8:58 amThank you Dr. Mampilly for your visit and blessings .
Elis
March 24, 2019 at 7:56 amTruly encouraging and hard worked post, something which needs to be read and halt upon by everyone to understand the actual facts that is happening around us. I pray that many more read this post. God bless you..especially triplets
Heather
March 24, 2019 at 9:03 pmI am so glad to find someone who has my same view on yoga! Thank you for sharing this!
Diana
March 25, 2019 at 10:12 amI praise God for the conviction you have as well , Heather .
Anita Ojeda
March 24, 2019 at 9:44 pmWelcome to the Inspire Me Monday link up! Thank you, also, for your thought-provoking post on yoga. I hope that your parents stay safe and that God continues to lead them as they minister to others. I agree–public schools can teach yoga poses and sayings, they should play Toby Mac!
Diana
March 25, 2019 at 10:11 amI love dancing to TobyMac songs with my kids . I rather instill God’s Word early into the hearts of my children than let them learn even the diluted yoga
Michele Morin
March 25, 2019 at 7:06 amPraying right now, Diana, for your family . . . safety and God’s protection.
Diana
March 25, 2019 at 10:10 amThank you for the prayers , Michele
Beena
March 25, 2019 at 8:02 amDiana,
Thank your Diana for sharing your thoughts on this. Very informative. Though I was born and brought up in India, I didn’t know much about Yoga. Very thought provoking! Thank you!
Diana
March 25, 2019 at 10:10 amYoga doesn’t seem to be taught that deep but it is up to us to be informed about it . Thank you for your encouragement
Ann Miesner
March 25, 2019 at 8:26 amDiana, I am so proud of you speaking up and writing your convictions when it’s so hard in today’s world to take a stand against evil. Yoga is not seen as evil by Christians which is because the truth has not been told. You have spoken truth. Thank you so much!! I’ve wanted to write a post about this, but the time never came. YOU were the one to write it. The book, Out of India by Caryl Matrisciana is what brought truth to me. I highly recommend it, by a young lady who came to America from India and could not believe Christians were embracing yoga.
I believe a yoga-practicing Christian must ask themselves if a door to satan could be open in their life. Have they had bad things happen they can’t understand? If so, this is the door that has to be shut quickly! Laurette Willis, an ex-yoga teacher did this very thing. After much prayer, she started Praise Moves, and offers certified instructor training. I don’t know if the moves are exactly like yoga, but God is blessing her new ministry. I met Laurette. She’s from Oklahoma where I live, and I believe she has a book, too.
May the Lord place His shield around your parents and keep them safe, in Jesus’ name!
Lisa notes
March 25, 2019 at 9:45 amI appreciate hearing these views from your own unique perspective, Diana. It makes them more valid knowing your background of living in India. Thanks for sharing and giving us more things to think about yoga.
Diana
March 25, 2019 at 10:09 amAbsolutely! Living in India and facing persecution even when I was just a little girl made me realize how I will never dilute my faith with anything outside
Rosemary Capo
March 25, 2019 at 10:15 amThis was a great article. I appreciate all the useful information you provided. Thank you. I’m praying for your family… To God be the glory
Brittany
March 25, 2019 at 12:36 pmWow! This is so eye opening. I had no idea about any of this. Thank you for being so open. I really have to re-evaluate my use of yoga practice.
Kelly Bolen
March 25, 2019 at 8:27 pmI feel so ignorant. I am a Christian, but I feel yoga is yoga. I do it from home from an app, but I never knew the background of yoga. Interesting thank you for sharing! Your family is in my thoughts and prayers!
Diana
March 25, 2019 at 9:00 pmThank you for the thoughts and prayers 🙂 I am glad this post gave you an idea about yoga
Oscar
March 27, 2019 at 7:39 amI was in the same position of kelly Bolen but from now on I Will think differently. I will pray for your family.
God bless you and your family in India.
Colleen
March 25, 2019 at 8:35 pmThank you for this post. I’ve previously read from Matt Walsh that Christians should avoid yoga, but I haven’t seen many others write about it. Since I’ve heard this I’ve been wary about yoga, and have only ever gone to one yoga class, which left me feeling uncomfortable but not because of the exercise. It’s definitely not something an American would expect to hear: “I don’t practice yoga because I’m a Christian!”
Diana
March 25, 2019 at 9:01 pmYou summarized my post with your last line 🙂 One cannot compromise on God’s Word and that was my stand
Jena
March 25, 2019 at 10:31 pmThis is such an in-depth post. So interesting! I’m a Christian and I love yoga and I have always wondered….so glad you were able to clarify!
Diana
March 26, 2019 at 1:00 amThank you Jena ! The moment we doubt something we must stop and ask for wisdom. Yoga always came from Hinduism and it is something that cannot enter a Christian’s life
Natalie | Milk and Honey Faith
March 26, 2019 at 12:50 amDearest Diana,
I’m so very honored to call you friend and couldn’t agree with you more. For this verse says it all…”Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness?” 2 Corinth 2:14 NLT Hinuism and Christianity are both founded on completely different principles. No good can come from intermingling two different beliefs. I’m continuing to pray for the safety of your family and love you dearly. Thank you for being brave enough to share God’s truth with us!
Diana
March 26, 2019 at 12:57 amLight can never live with darkness . Amen to this verse . We can never worship Jesus using idol practices and rituals . The Lord Jesus was angry towards those merchants who did business in God’s holy temple . He wants us to cast out anything unholy . I love you my beautiful friend . You are my prayer warrior and sister .
Antonia
March 26, 2019 at 12:53 amSo true!
You have thoroughly read and researched a lot about Yoga. Thank you for taking your time and pointing it through the Word of God. Love the examples!!
I will surely share this article with people (Christians) who have a different thought and opinion on Yoga.
Diana
March 26, 2019 at 12:59 amThank you Antonia . I felt led by the Spirit to write upon this topic . Little did I know that it was much needed. I am thankful for your visit and encouragement. Thank you for sharing with fellow Christians as well. It is our duty to let everyone know
Mz_Ola
March 26, 2019 at 5:26 pmYou know, it’s becoming quite rampant with Christians trying to compromise their standards simply because the society is okay with is. You’re absolutely right to point out that other religions will not put up the cross for any exercise. They would not compromise. We really have to realize that we can’t put God’s name with another god in the name of feeling among others. Great post
Diane@worthbeyondrubies
March 27, 2019 at 6:54 pmSuch a wonderful and extremely informative post. My heart breaks over all this and I’ve been praying for you and your family since I first read about it. Thank you for sharing this with us!
Diana
March 27, 2019 at 7:11 pmThank you for reading it and encouraging me. You are a fellow warrior ,Diane
Brenda Soto
April 21, 2019 at 2:37 pmLoved this! I always wanted to write about yoga, but need got around to it. You did it wonderfully! This depth you went to was perfect. I have had physical therapy after multiple surgeries and they used some of the poses. Never thought much about it as it was only a few. Now I know different.
Any tips for finding non-yoga stretches?
Blessings
Brenda
lea
July 28, 2019 at 2:16 pmnope it is NOT for Christians. a Christian friend argued that it is just exercise.. UNTIL the day she was the only one attending .. & heard the instructor mumble something at the end.. so my friend said, what did you say ? she replied.. “we are all gods”. so that was that for my friend. thankfully many woke up in our little town & the once popular yoga/ reiki/ card reader had to close her doors. LONG before yoga b/c the IN thing in the western world we had exercise.. So to claim there aren’t alternatives is not true. Just do a bit of research.
Diana
July 28, 2019 at 2:44 pmThere are many other exercises we can do . Swimming is one of we have bad back . It’s the postures and words mumbled in Yoga that we must be very careful of . Thank you Lea for visiting today. I count it as a blessing
Sonya
August 19, 2019 at 9:45 pmThank you for sharing this information. The Lord told me not to do Yoga many years ago. It has pervaded American exercise. Its appearance is healthy, good for the soul, harmless, but it is dark & can open one up to demons. Christians, please beware.
Bethany Ann DeVries
September 29, 2019 at 10:55 pmThank you for this post. I have always felt the Lord hold me back from doing yoga. And then a mentor of mine who had come out of the new age confirmed that God told her “no more!”, and explained to me it’s origins.
I have many Christian friends who do yoga as they pray and that has never seemed okay in my heart. Too much syncretism. If it is indeed originating from a demonic place, than ultimately it leads to destruction and not human flourishing.
Now my son’s school is incorporating mindful meditation and yoga poses while calling them different names— “sun dance” instead of sun salutation, and we are facing a difficult conversation with the school about opting out of participation. Please pray for us.
Diana
September 30, 2019 at 7:51 amI will be praying for you with regards to your son’s school. All the American schools have incorporated such Eastern practices with modern twists. But if you notice there will be a Muslim who will always say no to yoga yet many Christians are okay with the watered down version . Thank you for your visit today and I count it a blessing
ruth
April 29, 2020 at 9:23 pmGod bless you for this post, you truly opened my eyes. The bible says “my people perish due to lack of knowledge” This is really spot on , I enjoyed reading this, you gained a subscriber.
Mina
May 4, 2020 at 7:40 pmHi Diana,
Thank you so much for sharing the truth! Jesus saved me from a false ministry of teaching yoga and I write about it here. I would love to include this article in my post so God may convict hearts and shed His truth in this matter. https://silkandpurple.co/why-christians-should-not-do-yoga/ Praise God for His mercy!
Diana
May 4, 2020 at 8:08 pmThank you for your visit here today. Yoga was never meant to be an exercise and Hindus are confused about the use of the term “ Christian Yoga “ . There is no such thing as “Christian Hindu “ I did visit your blog and left a comment as well.