That is, with all the ancient beliefs about the movement of energy through your body and balancing the seven chakras. Are there any other yoginis out there who are also devout Christians?
2006-12-27 00:17:40 · 15 answers · asked by Amelie 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Christians who are afraid of trying yoga are being very superstitious and close-minded. You must remember that yoga was developed centuries ago and that the practitioners did not have the scientific background to explain why it worked, so they relied on mystical explanations. There is plenty of scientific evidence to show that yoga is very beneficial for your health. There are many yoga practitioners today who use a more modern approach, without going into the Eastern philosophies that first started it. Find an instructor that uses that approach and don't let it deter you from trying it out.
2006-12-27 00:46:06 · answer #1 · answered by kathy_is_a_nurse 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Practice of Yoga is understanding your body and regulating it in such a way that you understand your body. Well this has nothing to do with Christianity or any religion. If you believe in a religion, nothing can shake your beliefs.
Yoga though originated from India, you can find many western counrties accepting it whole heartedly, just because of its uses.
You can find many yoginis In US and Europe. You can clarify your doubts about yoga and religion by reading books and meeting Yoga teachers.
2006-12-27 08:24:46 · answer #2 · answered by Pluuuto 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
No, the definition of Yoga is: a Hindu discipline aimed at attaining spiritual illumination; exercises based on yoga techniques. You are not to mix different spiritual beliefs with Christianity as it corrupts Christianity. And the exercises are the discipline that are suppose to enlighten.
2006-12-27 08:20:07 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It probably depends more on your definition of a christian than anything else. The true teachings of Jesus were of Buddhist Hindu origin.
Christianity as it is now practiced is almost the opposite of what Jesus actually taught. It speaks of a judgmental punishing God that is little more than a roman catholic myth made up to scare people into being afraid to question the nonsense in the roman bible.
love and blessings Don
2006-12-27 08:30:58 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yoga is a religious practice. In the West, we want to view it as just exercise, but ultimately, the movements and meditations and such are designed as spiritual exercises to connect the practitioner with the universe/god or reach nirvana, etc.
I won't say a Christian can't practice yoga, but I will say a Christian shouldn't practice yoga, especially once they understand the intrinsic value of yoga to Hinduism.
To me, it's kind of like asking if a Christian should draw a pentagram, light candles and chant to Baphomet while explaining that it just relaxes them. It just ain't right.
"All things are lawful to me, but not all things are expedient," said Paul. He also wrote, "What communion hath light with darkness?" None.
2006-12-27 08:26:40 · answer #5 · answered by MithrilHawk 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I don;t see why you could not use yoga, Tai Chi, Qigong, or any exercize regiment to keep your physical body in shape and not affect your spiritual beliefs at all.
There is even a Christian form of Zen! All zen is; is about sharpening the focus of your mind without changing your spiritual beliefs.
I practise Zen almost every morning, and certainly not Buddhist, I practise Qigong, and I am not Taoist,
There is a HUGE difference between the physical body, and the non physical (soul).
2006-12-27 08:29:04 · answer #6 · answered by Rev. Two Bears 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I don't see yoga as a problem with the Christian faith, as long as you keep the whole thing in perspective.
The "beliefs" that you refer to seem pretty accurate, from a physiological point of view, so it seems fair to believe that energy does move through your body, yet still accept that there is one all-powerful God.
2006-12-27 08:20:38 · answer #7 · answered by myopenhandsguy 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think yoga is reconcilable with Christian faith. In fact i am planning on taking a retreat at a Trappist monastery that is Yoga for Christians. Yoga helps you to get in touch with your body and mind.
2006-12-27 08:44:17 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
As a physical exercise, there is no issue. As a method of relaxing and focusing, there is no issue. But if you bring in the spiritual teachings, there are many things in yoga that are contrary to Christian doctrine.
2006-12-27 08:22:03 · answer #9 · answered by dewcoons 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Paramahansa Yogananda brought yoga to the west and tried to show the harmony of Christianity and Yoga.
You might want to look up his writings.
~ Eric Putkonen
2006-12-27 08:24:52 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋