Is it ok for Christians to do yoga?

Answer 1

The origin of the word “yoga” is related to that of the English word “yoke.” It can mean to join or yoke together or to bring under a yoke, to harness or control. To a Hindu, yoga is a technique or a discipline that leads to union with a great supernatural force or spirit. It has been described as “the yoking of all the powers of body, mind and soul to God.”


For more information go to:
http://www.watchtower.org/library/w/2002/8/1a/article_01.htm
http://www.watchtower.org/library/w/2003/6/1/article_01.htm

Answer 2

It is most definitely ok for Christians to do Yoga. This form of exercise is said to relax and sooth and aching body and to help a person return to peace and tranquility. Yoga is of course very popular in India, and other nations. If someone was to follow their religion and do yoga, that would not be acceptable for a Christian.

The Lord teaches us that "no man comes to the Father but by the son” That statement implies in simple terms that if anyone does not believe in the Son, who is Jesus Christ, they will never enter into the Father's kingdom. The Buddhists and Hindu's are both peaceful religions. However, what is their teaching regarding Christ.

Anyone, I think Yoga is a good idea. I would like to learn it myself. Most any type of exercise is good for the body, and the mind.

Answer 3

The short answer is no. Martin S. has pinned it down..Yoga is much more than exercise. Any spiritual thing that replaces the Holy Spirit is forbidden as it is a form of an idol. As a true believer in Yeshua, you dont need yoga, astrology, fortune cookies, Oprah or Dr Phil. All you need is Jesus .

Answer 4

No, it is not. Yoga emerges from another religion and culture that is rooted in idol worship. I as a Christian do not participate in yoga.

Answer 5

besides being an extremely healthy thing to do (by creating an inner awareness of one's body, one's health), yoga in different forms has been practiced by all major religions at one time or another. Sufis are the first example that come to my mind. a mystical tradition within the Muslim religion, they approached their spiritual experiences by whirling in circles and utilizing breath control, although they were of course not limited to either. there is a tradition within Hebrew Kabbala (or whatever the correct way of spelling it is these days) of using breath control when praying to bring you closer to God.

research mysticism, and possibly the Gnostic beliefs, to learn how these beliefs differ from, or coincide with, your own.

Evagrius Pontus was kind of a practitioner of Christian yoga, in that i believe he advocated some form of breath control.

Diodochus, a 5th century bishop of Photice, preached breathing excercises as an aide to experiencing God.

read "A History of God", by Karen Armstrong, as that is where i am drawing the majority of this information. it is a great read. I'm also about halfway through "When God was a Woman" by Merlin Stone, but that's kind of a different topic.

whatever your belief system, i think that being more in touch with your body and actively seeking to become healthier is a good thing. i think it is reasonable to consider yoga, or Tai Chi, for instance, as really good ways to become healthier, especially as one ages. there is much to be said for stretching, breathing excercises, and low impact aerobic excercises, which is much of what yoga and Tai Chi are all about.

Answer 6

What does one thing have to do with the other? Yoga is not a religion and it's good for anyone-even atheists.

Answer 7

I think it's okay. I do yoga on a regular basis as it's low impact and easy on my back and knees (old sports injuries that never healed right). It's helped me drop 160 pounds in just under 3 years.

Answer 8

Scientologist purchased the rights to all Yoga practices.

Answer 9

Good grief - if somebody says that it says NO somewhere in the Bible - I will be really bummed.

Anyway - it's okay with ME if the Christians do yoga.

Answer 10

Of course! Yoga is an exercise, not a religion.