I have been a born-again Christian for many years. By nature, I am a rather high-strung, nervous individual. I would like to learn to be more peaceful and tranquil--refer to Philippians 4:6-7. I do have peace for my eternal security, but everyday stresses of marriage and children sometimes suck the joy and peace from my life. My question is this: I am considering a taking a yoga/meditation class. Would this be acceptable to God? I would not want to do anything displeasing to him, and I'm not sure of the origins, principles, etc. behind yoga. God says, "be still and know that I am God." I am thinking that yoga would perhaps help me to learn to "be still". Do you think taking a yoga class is wrong for a Christian?
2007-10-05 10:56:27 · 12 answers · asked by conni 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
If your focus is to glorify God in your life , GO FOR IT!!
2007-10-05 11:08:28 · answer #1 · answered by Robert S 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Guided meditaion is good, you can get some christian ones, I think. Conventional Christians don't approve of yoga. If you were to me, I would say to use as a tool to calm yourself, and breath deeply etc. I meditate as in yoga. It is very calming. Christ meditated. You need to step away from stress to learn how to deal with it properly. It is most certainly not wrong per se to take yoga classes. If you eat junk food, it is "wrong." If you sleep too much it is "wrong," if you go to church with an unclean motivation, it is "wrong." Anything at all can be "wrong" or very right. Take your pick.
2007-10-05 18:16:27 · answer #2 · answered by Blank 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Noooooooooooo, dont do it!!. God tell you to meditate in His word, nothing else. Only God can bring you peace. We walk by faith and of course we have to physically move towards what we are looking for, but all in God's will and help. Meditation/Yoga come from pagan practices. Though you may want to use it for God, but would you smoke weed for God too? I dont think so. We cannot seem/appear like anything of this world, only God. Again, meditation/yoga is of pagan practices, usually leaving the mind in a "blank" state, allowing yourself to be freely move by anything other than God. Also, everyone has stress. Short before Jesus was killed, He was flipping out. Nobody around Him (His apostles) were being supportive and He had to go off on His own to speak with God. Look for God in every minute of your life. Its hard to reach a point where you trust God 100%, but when you get their, its amazing what you can accomplish and get through. Remember, if you believe in Him and trust Him, He will carry you through anything. All this is Biblical, I would state where, but Im running late to get ready for church!! email me or something and we can talk further! God bless.
2007-10-05 18:07:23 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I haven't been to such classes, but I suspect it may involve a bit of indoctrination into Eastern Mysticism, depending on the teacher. So if you do go, look out for that.
But since you have time to go to a yoga class it seems to me you have time to sit down and prayerfully meditate on the Bible.
Also depending on your lifestyle you might want to add some diet and physical exercise program, given that 1/3 of American are obese and 2/3 overweight. Poor health can make stress more difficult to handle.
2007-10-05 19:25:06 · answer #4 · answered by Steve Amato 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yoga is a well known element of Hinduism and practicing it can lead to coming under demonic influence. Stay well away from it - it's a big no-no. Ther is no such thing as Christian Yoga.
2007-10-05 18:04:00 · answer #5 · answered by cheir 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yoga is a mystical experience that is devoid of the knowledge of God.
edit:
You can't make a godless practice holy. God says to be separate from the works of darkness.
2007-10-05 18:01:09 · answer #6 · answered by hisgloryisgreat 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I recommend finding a Christian yoga class....there are many. And they substitute the eastern religious aspects often in yoga with Bible verses, Christian prayer, etc.
There is nothing wrong with yoga excercises, breathing techniques, and meditation in general....as long as you are not meditating on false gods or spiritual falsehoods!
2007-10-05 18:01:09 · answer #7 · answered by whitehorse456 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I do not think that it is necessary to study yoga to learn contemplative prayer to God. When many people pray they first go to God in prayer to petition Him for their needs. Secondly, many people pray also to praise Him. The third way to pray is contemplative prayer. In this method one prays alone and focuses on emptying their mind to allow God to speak to them. Another method used by Christians is to pray the Rosary which focuses on the passion of Christ in His sacrifice for us. Perhaps learning to pray the Rosary would be wiser than studying Yoga. At least it would teach Christ centered prayer. I pray this helps. I know it has helped many.
In Christ
Fr. Joseph
Read the works of the desert fathers.
2007-10-05 18:11:18 · answer #8 · answered by cristoiglesia 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes Yoga is very wronge be careful ,Check this
http://www.macgregorministries.org/cult_groups/yoga.html
jesus is the only one who gives peace nothing else be sure of that!
2007-10-05 18:03:56 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
no yoga is very relaxing. it can help calm the mind and body. meditation is a good thing. prayer actually is a form of meditation. why would someone be afraid to practice yoga?
2007-10-05 18:01:05 · answer #10 · answered by plastik punk -Bottom Contributor 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
You have peace by staying your mind on Jesus Christ and His Word. Yoga is incompatible with Christianity and no Christian should have anything to do with it.
2007-10-05 18:00:42 · answer #11 · answered by CJ 6 · 1⤊ 3⤋