Yoga - It's Not Evil or Anti-Christian

[Thomas White]

Yoga is not evil. There are numerous physical and mental benefits. It does not put distance between a person and Christ.

Why do some churches preach otherwise? Is it a lack of understand or knowledge regarding yoga?

This is another example of how close-minded people turn away possible converts by adopting ideas that have no biblical basis. Maybe I am wrong. Please explain it to me.

(I wasn't sure where to post this topic. Obviously, this will start a debate, but it is also controversial theology.)

--Clarifying Addendum--

I am referring to yoga in the form of exercises that consist of stretching, breathing exercises, and meditation.

I do not mean Yoga, a part of the Hindu faith that encourages a person to use yoga exercises to find enlightenment and unification with the "Divine."

The two different practices are not the same.

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

Yoga is not evil. There are numerous physical and mental benefits. It does not put distance between a person and Christ.

The possible physical benefits do not outweigh the spiritual source and harm.

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

Obviously, this will start a debate, but it is also controversial theology.

Knowing it would likely or certainly cause division and dissension, you still posted this topic ?
Not good.
No, I think someone can just read other threads already posted about this... without causing new arguments.

 

[Tom 1]

Is it a lack of understand or knowledge regarding yoga?

I think that's what it is, I think people often get the idea that yoga is about opening yourself up to spiritual influences, or something like that, rather than what it actually is, a discipline of body and mind.

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

I think that's what it is, I think people often get the idea that yoga is about opening yourself up to spiritual influences, or something like that, rather than what it actually is, a discipline of body and mind.

No.
"What it actually is" was fully disclosed earlier this year in one or more threads. It has an evil spiritual origin, and that origin cannot be changed nor redeemed nor made whole or good or right.

 

[Tom 1]

No.
"What it actually is" was fully disclosed earlier this year in one or more threads. It has an evil spiritual origin, and that origin cannot be changed nor redeemed nor made whole or good or right.

As you know nothing about it, I'll take your idea with a large pinch of salt Jeff.

 

[Thomas White]

Knowing it would likely or certainly cause division and dissension, you still posted this topic ?
Not good.
No, I think someone can just read other threads already posted about this... without causing new arguments.

Of course it's not bad. This is the controversial theology thread. It is understood that we will discuss controversial topics.

That being said, what is the spiritual source behind yoga? Breathing patterns?

 

[Cimorene]

I love yoga! It is relaxing.

I'll tag @Stanfordella in case she ever comes back bc she's been doing yoga like every day since she was really little & has written a bunch about it here. It's made her amazingly strong & flexible.

 

[Sabertooth]

Knowing it would likely or certainly cause division and dissension, you still posted this topic ?
Not good.

It IS the Controversial Christian Theology sub-forum, after all.

But I don't think it is so controversial for anyone who has read Acts of the Apostles 19:11-20.

 

[.Mikha'el.]

I don't do it because it burns such few calories. I'd rather do cardio or weight-bearing exercises.

 

[Thomas White]

It IS the Controversial Christian Theology sub-forum, after all.

But I don't think it is so controversial for anyone who has read Acts of the Apostles 19:11-20.

I'm not sure how. Yoga has nothing to do with spirits.

 

[Thomas White]

I don't do it because it burns such few calories. I'd rather do cardio or weight-bearing exercises.

I have a herniated disc in my back, and I'm trying to avoid a third spine surgery. Yoga helps immensely with the pain.

 

[Cimorene]

I don't do it because it burns such few calories. I'd rather do cardio or weight-bearing exercises.

Oh dude you need to change up your routine bc you can burn up a lot of calories & build strength w a lot of them.
It's acro yoga. I can't do anything that intense but I can do a lot now. I'm getting way better w practice. I still run for cardio but yoga makes me feel better.

 

[Carl Emerson]

Yoga is rooted in Eastern philosophy and belief in Chi which for Hindu's is a 'natural' life force.

We know from Paul that pagan nations worship demons and the gods of eastern religion almost all assume yoga postures as idols.

Much of the philosophy is about balance because the Hindu view of the cosmos is a balance of good and evil, light and darkness etc. This translates to suggesting that God and the devil are equals. This is a lie.

In Jesus we have no need to seek the spiritual powers that fuel pagan belief or subject ourselves to their disciplines.

There are plenty of wholesome ways to maintain fitness without venturing down this pathway.

 

[Cimorene]

I have a herniated disc in my back, and I'm trying to avoid a third spine surgery. Yoga helps immensely with the pain.

That's so great!!!!!

 

[Jonathan Walkerin]

I don't do it because it burns such few calories. I'd rather do cardio or weight-bearing exercises.

Try ashtanga

Ashtanga vinyasa yoga - Wikipedia

I never got a better workout in cardio or gym.

 

[Tom 1]

Yoga is rooted in Eastern philosophy and belief in Chi which for Hindu's is a 'natural' life force.

We know from Paul that pagan nations worship demons and the gods of eastern religion almost all assume yoga postures as idols.

Much of the philosophy is about balance because the Hindu view of the cosmos is a balance of good and evil, light and darkness etc. This translates to suggesting that God and the devil are equals. This is a lie.

In Jesus we have no need to seek the spiritual powers that fuel pagan belief or subject ourselves to their disciplines.

There are plenty of wholesome ways to maintain fitness without venturing down this pathway.

In what way do you see this as being different to Paul's discussion in 1 Cor 10? - eat whatever is put before you, without raising questions of consicence - if you are concerned about the other person's conscience and they tell you the food was sacrificed to idols, then you may abstain on their account. Hypothetically, if I were to do a yoga class (I don't) and the instructor started with some preamble that the yoga moves are dedicated to some deity or other then it might be considered a parallel idea to abstain for their sake, but yoga itself, meaning discipline, is not intrinsically linked to spiritual representations. You can take or leave any belief system as you like and still practice the physical or mental disciplines of yoga, just as the Corinthians could eat of 'any meat from the market' without raising questions of conscience.

 

[Thomas White]

Yoga is rooted in Eastern philosophy and belief in Chi which for Hindu's is a 'natural' life force.

We know from Paul that pagan nations worship demons and the gods of eastern religion almost all assume yoga postures as idols.

Much of the philosophy is about balance because the Hindu view of the cosmos is a balance of good and evil, light and darkness etc. This translates to suggesting that God and the devil are equals. This is a lie.

In Jesus we have no need to seek the spiritual powers that fuel pagan belief or subject ourselves to their disciplines.

There are plenty of wholesome ways to maintain fitness without venturing down this pathway.

Your confusing yoga for fitness and meditation with an ancient tradition of the Hindus. That tradition is called Yoga, but it is not the same as the yoga I practice at my gym, park, or church.

By your logic, we should avoid martial arts, many medicinal practices, and eating half the food popular in eastern cultures because they all once related to ancient spiritual practices. We should also avoid half the traditions of Christianity.

Cultures influence other cultures. It's going to happen. Just because something was once used to seek spiritual balance does not make it evil, nor does it make the modern incarnation of it evil.

Yoga forms have nothing to do with idol worship. It clears my mind, strengthens my body, and helps me manage anxiety. I can praise God while I'm doing it, before I do it, and after I do it.

Christians have to let go of fear. We have been set free of fear and darkness. Why hold on to it by condemning everything around us as evil? It's just setting yourself up for failure.

 

[SkyWriting]

The possible physical benefits do not outweigh the spiritual source and harm.

It's the practice of breath control. So no.
Actually, having control over the thoughts of
the "Natural Man" is a very good thing.

There is motion involved which also helps one
focus and control their thoughts.

I'm thinking you've not taken any classes?

 

[summerville]

The possible physical benefits do not outweigh the spiritual source and harm.

Spiritual harm? I never heard such a thing.