Is Yoga dangerous for a good Christian?

Question

A pastor I went to see said it was designed to lead people into the occult. What have other Christians heard of this eastern practice?

Answer 1

Dear Bro,
lets try
Relax....
Have a Deeep breathe
inhale ....
then
Exhale...

If you feel good
close your eyes ... and do it again....

if you feel good.... then yoga ( or better write it "YOG") is good.

Dear Bro,
Let us try again ...
Think that this is not related with Hinduism or Buddhism.
Imagine it is from India (a country).
repeat above exercise again...

if you feel good (or better) .... then its good.


Dear Bro,
Lets try once again.
Imagine that it is a technique invented (after experience and research) by some humans.

Strengthen the beleif in Christianity, every human being is son and daughter of Adam and Eve.

Imagine that this technique is by children of Adam and Eve.

now again close your eyes,

Have a Deeep breathe
inhale ....
then
Exhale...

If you feel good ... then its good.


Dear Bro,
Let us try in yet another way.
Say if I have headache....
should I have Aspirin or not ?
It is not invented by Hindu .... is it against Hinduism ?

now again ...

Have a Deeeeep breathe
inhale ....
then
Exhale...

If you feel good ... then its good.



now lets do it in alternate way....
deep inhale with your left nostril ( close right with finger) and exhale with right.
then again do it with right-left...

do it for 10 minutess...
it will help in relaxing eyes, headaches, glowing face and hairs too....

Answer 2

There are different levels of practice in any religion. Whatever our level I think we will find a pracitice that is best suited to our spiritual growth. It is only natural for a person that is best suited for a practice of fundamentals to be wary of anything that provides more detail. From the very beginning Christianity has had a contemplative tradition. From the very beginning some have fought to eliminate this tradition. The same holds true today. It is not just against Yoga. Christianity also comes with a message to pray in secret, and to not let your left hand know what your left hand is doing. Our worship is between us and God. Anytime we go beyond that we should expect to incur, at the very least, the suspicion of others. This can create real obstacles to practice. Best to do your Yoga, and, even though it is exciting and improves your life, keep it to yourself. When God is ready for your mother to start doing Yoga, God will lead her in that direction.

Answer 3

I have heard this from only a couple of Christians say this kind of thing about Yoga. The vast majority of them have not said anything against it.

It is what you make of it, as is anything else in life. If you want to use Yoga as a springboard into eastern religions or the occult, that is a personal decision made by each individual.

Answer 4

If yoga can steer you away from your faith, then you didn't have it in the first place. I am so sick of the narrow, self righteous view of the Savior's message. Yoga is a form of exercise and meditation, however some people turn it into a religion and that's possible with anything, including sex, food, drugs, etc. Following his rationale, if you take an aspirin it could lead you into drug addiction. I will caution that extreme yoga can permanently stretch tendons and damage joints leading to big problems later in life. I prefer something more gentle like Tai Chi. By the way, Christianity IS and Eastern religion and the sermon on the mount is a basic statement of Buddhist doctrine predating Christ by 600 years. I guess the short answer is no. peace

Answer 5

Having read some of the answers,I am sorry to say that most people are quite ignorant about Yoga.Firstly,Yoga has no connection with any religion, a cult or any such idea.It's more a way of life but if one doesn't want it that way,it's OK.Ashtang ie eight fold Yoga has at it's base the union of mind and body and is a most complete system for harmony and balance in our lives.I don't blame the Pastor for his remarks as Yoga has been forbidden by many religious teachers due to unfounded suspicion and fear they have about anything which they think or feel can influence their folks.Now,it's up to you take a considered decision as it's your life which shall be affected and not of any priest or a pastor.

Answer 6

i would seriously question a religion where a pastor is so paranoid and ill informed as to say that a healthy form of exercise leads to the occult- what will jogging lead to? becoming a vampire? and oh no maybe if you took up weight lifting you would turn into satan yourself. your pastor needs to chill out and maybe you should look further to find true christianity

Answer 7

No. It's a very good form of exercise and helps to "center" you thus aiding in relaxation. It is not an occult exercise, unless you make it one. It's very good for people who can't take high impact on their joints, such as hips and knees. Your preacher's thinking is a little backwards. I know quite a few Christians who do yoga.

Answer 8

It depends on your brand of Christianity. If you are the sort that is fearful of everything different, if you feel that learning about other cultures might lead you to understand that there is beauty throughout creation, if you feel that God only spoke to the Jews in the middle-East and that everyone else will lead you to Satan, then definitely avoid Yoga.

Answer 9

I've heard that there is meditation involved and that some Christians do not meditate as it means emptying the mind which could leave you open to demon possession. But I could be wrong on that, I am not Christian so I would do yoga if I was flexible enough!

Answer 10

Yeah I agree...I never trusted that little green 900 year old bastard, no matter WHAT side of the force he was on!
Oh wait...you said YOGA! Your preacher is off axis a little bit.
I bet he burns rock and roll records too. Look, there is definaitely a mystic component to Yoga...if you look for it. Just doing the excercises won't turn you into a Buddhist. If you know your stuff, scripturally, you should be safe.