Is there anything wrong with a Christian doing yoga?

Question

is yoga all bad or just some parts,
should a christain stay away?
Why?

Thanks for your thoughts.

Answer 1

http://www.inplainsite.org/html/yoga_and_christianity.html
This site should pretty well give you the distinctions. Christians do yoga as a form of exercise.

Answer 2

There is nothing wrong with a Christian doing Yoga. Yoga helps the body, mind, and spirit. There is a lady I work with (that is Christian) that teaches Yoga. She asked me to make her a necklace just to wear to yoga that has crosses and celestial signs on it, just to show that she is a Christian and the two can go hand in hand.

Answer 3

Christian fundamentalists appear to be against it. To me the question is, "How strong is your faith?" Is your faith so weak that learning about another religion is likely to convert you away from Christianity to that new religion? If the answer is yes, stay the hell away from Yoga. If your faith is strong, then learning about other religions, or actually meditating yourself, will not be a threat to what you believe. It may even strengthen and build on your faith. Remember, you were not asking about converting to Yoga, but practicing yoga for exercise.

Answer 4

Yoga is a form of exercise. It is also a form of relaxation. There are some chants that go along with some Yoga practices. If you are concerned about the religious aspects, just do the poses for health and relaxation and skip the chants and prayers as they do not pertain to Christianity. It's not bad and definitely not evil, it's just different. Only do what you feel comfortable doing. As a Christian, he will show you the path if you choose to follow.

Answer 5

If you ask my mum (who has been doing it sine about 1975) - she is a Methodist, she would say it is a great way to keep fit, strong and healthy. She does stay away from the meditating element though, but its not a necessary part of the exercise and these days you can do Christian meditation.

If you asked my Aunt and Uncle who are a part of the Evangelical Alliance and are creationists they would tell you that the whole thing was evil and influenced by the devil and to steer clear.

All of us live in England so there is no difference in education levels or anything it is literally on the opinion of the person and their personal faith. If you are worried pray, meditate and ask for an answer from your God.

Answer 6

When a Christian practices yoga, they are participating in an eastern mystical religious practice.

Even their own literature agrees with this. In the attached link, they even talk about a serpent, and higher consciousness. These are demonic manifestations, and you would be inviting them in your life.

Why would a Christian even consider this? There are those who say that you can separate the exercise component from the mystical, but that is another lie of the enemy.

A Christian should flee from this, so they don't become a victim of the lie. If Satan cannot have your soul, he will have your walk if you let him. And eastern meditation is one sure fire way to do that.

Paul even says, "You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot eat at the table of the Lord and at the table of demons. Are we trying to provoke the Lord to jealousy? We are not stronger than he is, are we?" (I Corinthians 10:21-22)

And

"What harmony exists between Christ and Beliar, or what do a believer and an unbeliever have in common?" (II Corinthians 6:15)

For those who claim to be Christ's, yet say that yoga is permissible, hear Jesus' words: "Why do you keep calling me 'Lord, Lord,' but don't do what I tell you?" (Luke 6:46)

Christ is the Living Word of God. His Word tells us what we should do. Those who choose their will over His, are disobedient.

Answer 7

It is not bad when you use it only as a form of exercise. Real yoga is a way of life. It based in the art of tapping into the mind. I have heard people to say that the opening of the mind leaves room for "anything" to creep in. Yoga has so many variations to it that it is unsafe to encompass one pradtice with all the rest.

Answer 8

Ok, so first of all what we know as yoga today, what is practiced as a physical excercise is different from Hindu yoga as a religious practice. I have been raised in a God fearing family and church my whole life and me practicing the discipline of yoga has never been a problem. So I don't see any reason you cannot do it. In fact, put on some christian music, there are some great relaxation tracks out there that are christian based, get into some yoga poses and just listen. God may speak to you, it could be used as part of your devotions. Good luck

Answer 9

There is some debate onthat question. I have known some people who started yoga but stopped because they felt they were being led into a spiritual journey they did not want to make. However my daughter took some yoga exercises for a while, and claims there was nothing about it that implied any kind of spirituality. It was just exercise for her.
Follow your conscience, whatever you choose to do, do it with your eyes wide open. And if you find yourself being compelled to do anything that violates your own spirituality, then give it up. Nothing worse than continuing to do something that makes you feel like a hypocrite.

Answer 10

Hello Phil;

I would have to say yes. It is a worship of self. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary yoga is. "a Hindu theistic philosophy teaching the suppression of all activity of body, mind, and will in order that the self may realize its distinction from them and attain liberation."

So if you practice yoga you are stepping away from Christianity and accepting Hinduism. That is a faith that believes in many gods and goddess. Its aim is to deify self. This is placing self ahead of the Creator. If you were to suppress all activity of body, mind, and will. As the explanation states. Who or what is taking control of you during this time? You leave yourself open to demonic possession, since you must suppress your mind and will. During this time, you give up these faculties that the Creator gave you, and surrender them to who knows what.

Yoga also requires chanting a mantra to aid in concentration. This further removes your conscience from your control. You are then at the whim of the leader who's motives are not Christ oriented.

Stay away from this activity.

Answer 11

Ok this is really frustrating... First off, I'm a christian. Ok WHY do you act like the devil himself is going to invade your soul if you go try something that doesnt have a big CHRISTIANS WELCOME sign??? Should you stay away??? Thats like Jesus asking if he should stay away from robbers n prostitutes. No, he went out unafraid. Jesus was no punk n you shouldnt be either. If God is within you you should be scared of nothing. Yay though I walk through the valley.... MAN! Go out and share the word in the most evil of places. Dont sit at home asking permission cuz your scared. And btw, yoga is a relaxation n fitness tool. You dont havtta listen to the weird meanings they try to give for dif positions n stuff.