is yoga evil according to christianity?

Answer 1

I've seen Fundamentalists claim the motions of the Yoga (& Tai Chi, Karete, Judo - etc etc etc) will open one's body & sole to the devil.

Was in a full page "To all Satanic Covens" add in a local paper - I'm not making this up.

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Answer 2

No, yoga is not evil according to Christianity.

Most people practice yoga as a way of increasing flexibility, balance, and general health, without any philosophical significance. This is certainly not evil.

Some people expand a more advanced practice of yoga into a path of philosophical and spiritual growth. The historical origins of yoga are associated with Hinduism, which has a different concept of God; but there's no reason that the thoughtful study and practice of yoga can't help to support a healthy Christian faith. You may find some philosophy associated with yoga to be different from Christianity; such as mankind's fundamental problems and what the solutions are to those problems. Although this philosophy may be different, it's not evil, and there's no need to adopt it to practice yoga.

Answer 3

That really depends on the branch of Hinduism, actually. There are certainly some branches which a lack of emphasis of belief in deities, but there are others that very strongly emphasize not only believing, but having a personal connection to certain deities. Also, in certain places where Hinduism is the dominant religion, there is massive social pressure to believe and to demonstrate belief in everyday life along with good deeds, just as there is in certain places where Christianity dominates. It may be accepted by religious texts to be an "atheist", but in many places it is most certainly not socially sanctioned, or wasn't when my grandmother still lived in India at least. Granted this was years ago, but generally that part of the country is fairly conservative, so I doubt there's been a complete overhaul of religious institutions there.

Answer 4

If 'yoga' is considered to be just a set of exercises, there is nothing evil about that. However, some of the ideas behind yoga include buddhist-style meditation and other spiritual beliefs which are not consistent with Christianity.

Answer 5

There are so many differing opinions on this subject, that ultimately, you will have to ask God what He thinks about Yoga, I am to do this too.

Some people say no, but there is also the fact that the poses are named about Hindu gods to which the yoga practitioner contorts his/her body into, you can catch these names in the title of the pose. natarajasana, for example, is a pose meaning "lord of the dance", and nataraja is a Hindu god which is thought to be a secondary form of one of the main gods shiva, one writer online suggests that in it's true Hindu roots, postures are really pujas, or prayers to the gods.

Animals are also mimicked in postures (one Hindu god is some sort of monkey man), which makes me think it is possible that these postures are meant to worship animals, and with in mind that this practice originates from the Hindu religion, would you believe there is a cow pose too?

I'll pray for your guidance get back to me if you ever find the answer, but if you don't want to, that's okay.

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Answer 6

What we've been told in the Lutheran church is that it depends upon how you look at yoga. If you see it as a form of exercise and relaxation, then you're fine. If you see it as a lifestyle and hold to the philosophy of yoga, that's when you can get it to trouble and cross the line. It's not evil, it's just not in line with Christianity.
I do a relaxation and flexibility yoga routine every morning!

Answer 7

Depends on what is incorporated into the Yoga....the mere breathing excercises, stretching, etc are not evil at all...it is only when you incorporate the eastern religious philosophies and chanting into it that it becomes evil from a Christian perspective. But my church has Christian yoga that involves meditating on God's Word....and it is very powerful!

Answer 8

the levitical laws tell us that even beef stroganhoff is a sin.

so probably. if the pastor likes yoga he will quote

Mat 15:19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:


Mat 15:20 These are [the things] which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.


and that will make yoga and beef strogganhoff just kosher.

Answer 9

Well... it technically is a religion- or at least a practice of a religion. And not a Christian one. So depending on how one interprets what the Bible says about non-Christian religions... I suppose according to Christianity, yes.

However according to me and most people, no. Yoga is extremely beneficial to one's physical and spiritual health, and putting down another religion because it isn't your own is just stupid.

Answer 10

Yoga means Unity

if unity is evil, I don't know what's good.