Why can't a Christian do yoga?

Question

I'm a Baptist and I mentioned to a friend this morning in church that I was going to give Bikram Yoga a try to help my bad lower back. He got all defensive and told me Yoga was Satanic and that doing anything with Yoga was being disobedient to God. He said all the poses were tied to Hinduism and other pagan rituals were used during the sessions. I just want to get the benefit of stretching in the heat, I'm not out to become a devil worshiper! I reminded him that nearly every holiday that our church endorses has some pagan elements but that didn't stop anybody from doing them. He also practices Martial Arts, which if I'm correct, is tied to Buddhism. It seems to be that this is another example of people cherry picking what's right or wrong based on what they've been told...not what's really important to God. Am I wrong for getting ticked off at the accusation? Or is this Yoga thing really going to make me a heretic?

Answer 1

Cherry-picking. Exactly right.

One can do the poses and all of yoga, without buying into the Hindu philosophy. Same goes for the martial arts.

Go. Stretch. Get strong and healthy.

And...if your yoga teacher does "Sun Salutations" - YOU think of them as "SON Salutations"

Good luck and God bless!

Answer 2

Some people are really legalistic and fearful.I would think if you are not doing the chants,and focusing on Jesus there should be no condemnation.If others in the room are doing the chant thing,I would caution you however.You may find a DVD on yoga and do it at home,just be sure the spiritualism is not involved in any way.It is a great way to help with back issues you are correct.I know of some christian yoga classes that have been done.Be blessed and loved remember perfect love casts out all fear.

Answer 3

Relax. Several of our local churches sponsor yoga programs. It's quite the hit down at the Episcopal church, for instance. There's nothing wrong with yoga, or with martial arts either. I've heard the arguments about both of them being "Satanic", which is utterly absurd. Your friend's been listening to too much Fundamentalist propaganda. Practice yoga all you want. Yes, it may have roots that pre-date Christianity, but so what? So do many other activities that modern Christians engage in.

Answer 4

I didn't know yoga was a sin! Just do yoga and act like you never knew anything about going against God. You're just stretching. That's like saying you can't do jumping jacks because Catholics believed it was praising God or something. You know what I mean. Everything has different origins. If you knew them all you would probably just be able to sit down for the rest of your life. Unless sitting down itself has some ties to Buddhism. In that case, you're screwed!

Answer 5

Hello...I'm a christian and I practice yoga. My attention is towards God when I am practicing. It is very good for the body w/ health benefits to numerous to mention. You are right brother. The majority of our "Christian " holidays have PAGAN origins and yes martial arts are tied to buddhism.

I'm sure that is how yoga started...1000's of years ago. Woship God in spirit and in truth and Be good to your body while you're at it....:)

Love & Peace
*pass it on.....

Answer 6

Well i have heard this to but i can not see why you should not be able to go and do Yoga its not going to stop you from loving God
and it is relaxing and if its good for your back then by all means do it, don't listen to others because God is the one who counts He is the one who knows your heart, and your love for him, if you are still not sure Pray to God about it hand it over to Jesus ask him to give you the answer
May Jesus spirit fill you and your families Hearts this Christmas
and for many years to come, may he bless each and everyone of you , Merry Christmas

Answer 7

I am a Lutheran, and I do Yoga quite frequently. It's part of my regular workout. Basically, Yoga stems from pagan rituals... however, picking up a "Yoga for Dummies" or whatever from your local library is very unlikely to delve you into the depths of paganism.
I know of a number of ministers who practice martial arts as well. It is adiaphora -- neither commanded nor forbidden. God wants us to take care of our bodies, so there's nothing wrong with doing that through yoga and/or martial arts, as long as you take care not to buy into the "spiritual" aspects that go with it.

Answer 8

well, Christians did invent Satan so they get to apply that label to just about anything they don't like. The fact is, however, that Yoga is, at it's roots, a philosophy akin to Buddhism (the 5 precepts in Buddhism are basically repeated in Yoga - the philosophical system). Of course, many many people practice yoga without getting past the asanas. It's up to you.

Answer 9

I can understand your friends dismay but do apologize for the way he handled it with you. I think his concern is knowing the history of ancient yoga and even modern yoga today is based on a spiritual level.

The poses were designed to open your soul to a god like entity to bring to a deeper sense of self, healing, etc.

Just think of one pose name: Sun Salutation. As simple as this move might be and as harmless as it seems it's very design is to greet the Sun god and open your heart to him. You literally bring your hands toward your heart as if to open it to this Sun god.

Here are some links to websites I found on yoga's history.

http://www.acfnewsource.org/religion/christian_yoga.html
http://www.swamij.com/ancientyoga.htm
http://www.eamg-med.com/alternative/origin.shtml

As a Christian I struggle with my flesh to not get involved with Yoga. I love stretching and have been doing it for years. And to find a controlled routine to strengthen & stretch would be a perfect style of exercise for me but I know I don't want to open any doors to the enemy to come into my life through these postures and their purpose.

Martial Arts is another area that I would not venture into. He is fooling himself if he thinks it is different than the Yoga he has denied your involvement in.

I'm not sure doing Christian Yoga would be any different than the Yoga offered with the full spiritual meaning being taught. Again, going back to the ancient ritual and design of these poses. The offering of your body to something other than the God of our Holy Bible is something I would consider very carefully.

You can call it anything you want but if it takes your eyes off of God and turns it to self or some other entity than, in my opinion, it's not a wise choice.

Well, I'm guessing you've taken this question to God for an answer and pray your ears & eyes are wide open to hear & see his answer to you. Be patient, it will come.

Hope this helps

Answer 10

Yoga is not evil or of the devil. The positions are proven to help in all types of aches and pains. Your friend is misled. The transendintal meditation such as OM are said to be satinistic and such but even meditation, if done correctilly and with mind on the Lord is not evil. I too have been told meditation is evil but i still belive it depends on what you meditate on. Yoga is simply positions that help stretch and relax muscles the meditiation that goes along with it can be mind clearing so long as med on right things