Yoga Classes Taught at Christian Churches....

Subtlety:

Resistance of Satan requires effort. It isn't effortless. In my own life, I've had a number of things pull me away from Christianity. It's always subtle. Subtlety is the way Satan works. Resistance is something we must do daily, even hourly, even by the minute or second, to keep from falling into sin.

I don't think it's fear-mongering to warn against such things creeping into the church and into our lives, because it's happening all around us and it isn't harmless. Scripture (above, et al) gives us clear warning to not be complacent, but sober.

Look at the picture. These people are exercising in what is supposed to be a holy place. I can imagine the pastor or an elder standing at the pulpit and recommending exercise sessions which are to take place in the very room where they worship God every week. I see that as a bit of a problem.

public hermit said:

Yes ma'am, really. If scary faith is what you need, I won't try to talk you out if it. As far as I'm concerned, Christ has overcome the world and that is completely trustworthty. It is the peace of Christ we exchange when we peddle in fear, I think. But to each her own.

I read part of the Tao the other day, do you think I opened the door to Satan? Am I in danger? I love my Lord, who lives and never dies, should I be afraid?

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Of course not. Reading anything is not going to harm you unless your faith is extremely weak. Wisdom and knowledge are tools against Satan.

Freth said:

Subtlety:

Genesis 3:1 Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?
​

Resistance of Satan requires effort. It isn't effortless. In my own life, I've had a number of things pull me away from Christianity. It's always subtle. Subtlety is the way Satan works. Resistance is something we must do daily, even hourly, even by the minute or second, to keep from falling into sin.

1 Peter 5:8-9 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.​

I don't think it's fear-mongering to warn against such things creeping into the church and into our lives, because it's happening all around us and it isn't harmless. Scripture (above, et al) gives us clear warning to not be complacent, but sober.

Look at the picture. These people are exercising in what is supposed to be a holy place.

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It's not through our own strength but through Christ's that we overcome the world. There is no harm in doing yoga -- none.

pescador said:

It's not through our own strength but through Christ's that we overcome the world. There is no harm in doing yoga -- none.

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Scripture does indicate that it requires effort on our part:


You can agree to disagree, of course, but these aren't my words you're disagreeing with.

The Narrow Way said:

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Seems as it's becoming more and more common to see YOGA CLASSES offered at Christian Churches. It's a sad thing. It's hard for me to understand why Christians would want anything to do with NEW AGE teachings.... There are so many health principles taught in the Bible, there is no reason to go looking elsewhere. Many Christians don't understand that by attending these classes they are opening the door to spiritualism and Satan.

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Most yoga in America is only stretching with some mild exercise.

You could go to a session and see if it's like most.

If its the common kind, it'd be equal to a church golf outing or a hike, just a social gathering with some exercise.

public hermit said:

What I think is most problematic is this idea of "opening the door" to Satan. It is not possible for someone within whom the Spirit dwells to follow Satan, or embrace unmitigated evil. The two are mutually exclusive. Fear mongering among the faithful is about as helpful as teaching kids math by having them memorize all the wrong answers so they'll remember the right one.

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Hi public hermit--here's something to think about:

David writes: "Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me." {Psalms 51:11}

Yet that same David not only committed adultery, but then murdered the woman's husband to try to cover it up.

If that's not "following Satan" and "embracing evil" I don't know what is.

While some (rare) yoga here in the U.S. is indeed a 'spiritual' thing...

Completely different is the typical U.S. approach: most U.S. yoga is commercialized classes and only exercise and stretches, like Pilates, but less intense and with more stretches.

Just reporting the actual classes I actually tried out (so, unlike many in this thread, I'm not guessing!) -- many yoga types I tried out, in different cities in the early 2000s.

I've been a couple of times to those less common kind where there was a spiritual nonsense attached, but also many times to the much more common kind that has none at all, not even a trace, when I used to try stuff out.

So, don't imagine monsters under the bed.

Go and look and find out first hand, and don't make false accusations.

pescador said:

It's not through our own strength but through Christ's that we overcome the world. There is no harm in doing yoga -- none.

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You seem very sure. Do you got much knowledge about the different forms of yoga?

zoidar said:

You seem very sure. Do you got much knowledge about the different forms of yoga?

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I did, at least about 15-20 years ago, when I tried out many kinds and in different cities. See my real report from direct knowledge, without guessing. Just above.

Instead of guessing without knowing, I could report the reality back then, and I know it's going to be likely in those same kind of commercial classes the same today. People want the exercise without the BS stuff.

Halbhh said:

I did, at least about 15-20 years ago, when I tried out many kinds and in different cities. See my real report from direct knowledge, without guessing. Just above.

Instead of guessing without knowing, I could report the reality back then, and I know it's going to be likely in those same kind of commercial classes the same today. People want the exercise without the BS stuff.

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I did yoga before coming to Christ. I think it's wrong to say yoga is good or bad without explaining what we mean by yoga. It can mean a complete lifestyle and to others just doing some stretching. Even If you didn't find any spiritual aspect in it, doesn't mean there isn't or can't be one.

Either way, yoga has no place in church, neither has weightlifting or wrestling.

zoidar said:

I did yoga before coming to Christ. I think it's wrong to say yoga is good or bad without explaining what we mean by yoga. It can mean a complete lifestyle and to others just doing some stretching. Even If you didn't find any spiritual aspect in it, doesn't mean there isn't or can't be one.

Either way, yoga has no place in church, neither has weightlifting or wrestling.

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Fair enough if that's really how you feel. But do you also then mean other stuff like frisbee in the church yard, playing card games like bridge in the fellowship hall, or other games like pin the tail on the donkey in a party during a kids night at church, and so on? What makes something Ok or not ok for you in those ways, I mean how do you draw the line? (I actually do respect the monastery like impulses some have, so I am not suggesting a feeling you prefer a quiet church that only ever has reverent services is wrong; it's also valid.) Can people in the church go on a hike together, which is also exercise? Church golf outings between members?

The Narrow Way said:

Many Christians don't understand that by attending these classes they are opening the door to spiritualism and Satan.

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What aspects of yoga make it bad?

Freth said:

Scripture does indicate that it requires effort on our part:

Hebrews 12:4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.​

James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Mark 8:33 But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men.
​

You can agree to disagree, of course, but these aren't my words you're disagreeing with.

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Where is the mention of yoga in the "not your words"? John 16:33, "I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In the world you have trouble and suffering, but take courage—I have conquered the world.”

Landon Caeli said:

What aspects of yoga make it bad?

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I'll take the liberty to reply to this:
From wiki:
"in the second half of the 1st millennium BCE, and is associated with the philosophical system presented in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, with the chief aim of "uniting" the human spirit with the Divine spirit."

The Spirit of Yoga is not the Holy Spirit. I, as a follower of Christ, would not practice it. Not out of Fear, but my Love of Christ takes away the Will to Sin. Practicing Yoga is idolism. You are, even if you don't realize it, practicing a sort of ritual.

Always put Jesus Christ first in all things, and the Holy Spirit Will Guide you. Amen.

The Narrow Way said:

View attachment 302433​

Seems as it's becoming more and more common to see YOGA CLASSES offered at Christian Churches. It's a sad thing. It's hard for me to understand why Christians would want anything to do with NEW AGE teachings.... There are so many health principles taught in the Bible, there is no reason to go looking elsewhere. Many Christians don't understand that by attending these classes they are opening the door to spiritualism and Satan.

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Yoga in the west is nothing more than a form of physical exercise. All religious meaning has been stripped from it, as it originated as Hindu practice. New agers are drawn to anything even remotely resembling something "spiritual", whether it's yoga or using essential oils.

When I was in college I took a yoga class as part of my PE requirements. There was nothing new age, or remotely spiritual about it. For me the stretching and relaxation was something I found quite helpful both physically and mentally.

Just because non-Christians do a thing does not make the thing bad.

-CryptoLutheran

Landon Caeli said:

What aspects of yoga make it bad?

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You may awaken the "serpent", also called kundalini. They call it a female force, quite opposite to the Father. Exactly what it is I don't know. Other than that you may be more drawn to the occult or quench the Holy Spirit.

Halbhh said:

Fair enough if that's really how you feel. But do you also then mean other stuff like frisbee in the church yard, playing card games like bridge in the fellowship hall, or other games like pin the tail on the donkey in a party during a kids night at church, and so on? What makes something Ok or not ok for you in those ways, I mean how do you draw the line? (I actually do respect the monastery like impulses some have, so I am not suggesting a feeling you prefer a quiet church that only ever has reverent services is wrong; it's also valid.) Can people in the church go on a hike together, which is also exercise? Church golf outings between members?

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It's reasonable question. Nothing wrong with going on a hike or play some chess in the back yard etc. Each church must decide what fits their church. The hall were the sermons takes place should IMO only be for things of Godly nature, prayers, worship, sermons, Bible study etc. A church should not include, teach or have yoga. Because there might be a hidden danger.

zoidar said:

You may awaken the "serpent", also called kundalini. They call it a female force, quite opposite to the Father. Exactly what it is I don't know. Other than that you may be more drawn to the occult or quench the Holy Spirit.

Click to expand...

ViaCrucis said:

Yoga in the west is nothing more than a form of physical exercise. All religious meaning has been stripped from it, as it originated as Hindu practice. New agers are drawn to anything even remotely resembling something "spiritual", whether it's yoga or using essential oils.

When I was in college I took a yoga class as part of my PE requirements. There was nothing new age, or remotely spiritual about it. For me the stretching and relaxation was something I found quite helpful both physically and mentally.

Just because non-Christians do a thing does not make the thing bad.

-CryptoLutheran

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I think I'm going to take a yoga class as soon as my sprained ankle heals.

Let those Hindu gods in

tturt said:

Let those Hindu gods in

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There's only one God.

...My bond with God is unbreakable.