Yoga in class? Help?

[ochiaghanam]

Okay, I have read that yoga is a demonic practice because of the whole clearing your head and meditating and all that jazz. I've always figured that I wouldn't have to worry about yoga because even before I read about it being evil, I never considered doing it. And of course now I definitely do not consider doing yoga. But today I learned that I will be doing yoga in my theater class. Naturally I freaked out and even went to the teacher to tell him I couldn't do it because of my beliefs on it, but he said we would only be doing the poses and not the actual breathing. But that doesn't make me feel any better! I can't drop the class because I live on campus and I need fifteen credits to stay on campus. I'm currently trying to find a class to switch to but that's proven difficult. Anyway my question is this: do you think I'm being overly paranoid? I mean, I could always sing praises to God in my head while I do the poses, right? Ugh, but when I say that another thought pops in my head: when performing witchcraft, can you praise God? I'm really stressed! I really need some advice please

 

[turkle]

If you are inviting evil spirits into your life, then it doesn't matter what activity you are participating in. By inviting the spirits, they enter in.

I do not agree with those who say that yoga is evil. To me it is like saying that the internet is evil because it has pornographic sites. Yoga is a physical discipline, if that is how you approach it.

I have done yoga for years, and it helps my body immensely. As my muscles strengthen and loosen, the noise in my mind lessens, and my devotionals are more focused. I also experience this when I am running or cycling.

There are those that will say avoid yoga at all costs. I would agree if you are of a vulnerable spirit and easily swayed. But if you have a firm relationship with Jesus, it is my opinion that yoga can be very beneficial to you, just as any other martial art or sport.

 

[parsley]

I think that just telling your teacher will remind them that they are not allowed to teach doctrine on campus. If they begin to, let them know that you plan to report your concern to the department. That is part of religious freedom -- not just what you are allowed to do, but what your teachers are expected to respect.

I agree that yoga stretching is just physical exercise. Even relaxation techniques are probably fine. You know what you're thinking, between you and God. No one can "make" you connect with spirits just by telling you to do questionable exercises. You are in charge of your body and mind.

 

[tturt]

I don't think your instructor can make you do any of it. I would tell him you've tried to change classes. Here's a resource you might want to check out:
Caryl Matrisciana on Christ in Prophecy tv programs
1st show - Television - Programs - Religion 8 - Matrisciana on Escaping From Hinduism video
2nd show - Television - Programs - Religion 9 - Matrisciana on Christian Yoga video Also, www.lamblion.com/files/.../television/transcript_Religion9.pdf

 

[Tomodachi]

I think Yoga is not an evil thing. Even if you must do the meditation you can choose about what do you meditate on. It is not the same about witchcraft or worship idol. It is just some kind of exercise for your healthy body. If you want then you can do yoga and do meditation about God. I think in most people that are doing yoga, then they just do for exercise and not for spiritual thing. If you are just doing exercise then it is ok. If you are inviting some spirit into you when you are doing that then it is about the religion. It is only religion practice if you choose to make it your religion practice.

Anyways, that's my opinion!

 

[Avniel]

I think we as Christians sometimes give more to the devil then we give to God. If you feel yoga is demonic then do not do it. The devil will use it to attack you. But stretching and exercising are good ways to take care of your temple and stay healthy.

We celebrate Jesus birth on the 25th, we put up christmas trees there are a lot of pagan practices that we the church do but these things have no power.

We give it power

 

[Tomodachi]

I think we as Christians sometimes give more to the devil then we give to God. If you feel yoga is demonic then do not do it. The devil will use it to attack you. But stretching and exercising are good ways to take care of your temple and stay healthy.

We celebrate Jesus birth on the 25th, we put up christmas trees there are a lot of pagan practices that we the church do but these things have no power.

We give it power

I think this is very good advice. I think we have to remember God is in many things too if we let him be in those things.

 

[Life2Christ]

Modern day yoga has probably been watered down but this is the root of yoga:

Yoga:
In Vedic Sanskrit, the more commonly used, literal meaning of the Sanskrit word yoga which is "yoke", "to join", "to unite", or "to attach.

The aim of yoga is varied and ranges from improving health to achieving moksha.[9] Within the Hindu monist schools of Advaita Vedanta, Shaivism and Jainism, the aim of yoga takes the form of moksha, which is liberation from all worldly identification and the cycle of birth and death (samsara), at which point there is a realization of identity with the Supreme Brahman.

Classical Yoga as a system of contemplation with the aim of uniting the human spirit with Ishvara, the "Supreme Being"

 

[Avniel]

Modern day yoga has probably been watered down but this is the root of yoga:

Pagan traditions: Many Pagan cultures used to cut boughs of evergreen trees in December, move them into the home or temple, and decorate them. 7 Modern-day Pagans still do. This was to recognize the winter solstice -- the time of the year that had the shortest daylight hours, and longest night of the year. This occurs annually sometime between DEC-20 to 23; most often, it is DEC-21. As the solstice approached, they noticed that the days were gradually getting shorter; many feared that the sun would eventually disappear forever, and everyone would freeze. But, even though deciduous trees, bushes, and crops died or hibernated for the winter, the evergreen trees remained green. They seemed to have magical powers that enabled them to withstand the rigors of winter.

Who's gonna stop putting up a Christmas tree

 

[ochiaghanam]

Okay, I agree with those who say doing the actual physical exercise is not evil in itself. Okay, I think I'm gonna be okay. Thank you everyone for replying! God bless

 

[joep222]

You believe that yoga (even simply the poses) is sin, so you should not participate.

Talk with your teacher/instructor and ask if you can be excused during the time which they do such activity and ask if it will have a negative effect on your grade. It seems to me it would be an excellent opportunity for you to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with that person and why anything to do with yoga is offensive to you.

If for some reason, he threatens to fail you if you do not participate, then go to the school administration. If the school administration chooses the wrong thing and supports the instructor, you should contact a Christian legal organization such as Alliance Defense Fund for advice.

I believe that it would be wrong for the instructor to threaten to fail you.

----
On your second question, a Christian should have nothing whatsoever to do with Witchcraft. The Bible clearly forbids it.

Deuteronomy 18:10-12 There shall not be found among you anyone who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, anyone who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer (11) or a charmer or a medium or a necromancer or one who inquires of the dead, (12) for whoever does these things is an abomination to the LORD. And because of these abominations the LORD your God is driving them out before you.

 

[iamauthentic]

Pagan traditions: Many Pagan cultures used to cut boughs of evergreen trees in December, move them into the home or temple, and decorate them. 7 Modern-day Pagans still do. This was to recognize the winter solstice -- the time of the year that had the shortest daylight hours, and longest night of the year. This occurs annually sometime between DEC-20 to 23; most often, it is DEC-21. As the solstice approached, they noticed that the days were gradually getting shorter; many feared that the sun would eventually disappear forever, and everyone would freeze. But, even though deciduous trees, bushes, and crops died or hibernated for the winter, the evergreen trees remained green. They seemed to have magical powers that enabled them to withstand the rigors of winter.

Who's gonna stop putting up a Christmas tree

or "easter." if you ever look at the history behind the traditions that we use to celebrate Jesus' Resurrection, you would be astonished. Easter was a pagan God. i think i remember reading that she was the wife of Baal or something like that. i could be wrong but you get the point. easter was a pagan god and its the name we all use to describe the day Christs' Resurrection. how messed up is that???

yoga is fine but if you feel weird, you feel weird and theres not point for you to do it. but if you do decide to do it, dont feel guilty.

 

[ILWJ]

I've heard several stories of people that practiced yoga having to be delivered from demons. I've never practiced yoga but I have meditated before I was saved and it is evil. Just to clarify, meditating (thinking deeply) about the word of God is a great thing. But eastern meditation is opening oneself up to demonic oppression as well as altering the nervous system and pineal gland. Stay far away!!

 

[Avniel]

I've heard several stories of people that practiced yoga having to be delivered from demons. I've never practiced yoga but I have meditated before I was saved and it is evil. Just to clarify, meditating (thinking deeply) about the word of God is a great thing. But eastern meditation is opening oneself up to demonic oppression as well as altering the nervous system and pineal gland. Stay far away!!

If that's the case buying a Christmas tree invites demonic pressence into one's house.

 

[bsd31]

I've heard several stories of people that practiced yoga having to be delivered from demons. I've never practiced yoga but I have meditated before I was saved and it is evil. Just to clarify, meditating (thinking deeply) about the word of God is a great thing. But eastern meditation is opening oneself up to demonic oppression as well as altering the nervous system and pineal gland. Stay far away!!

I don't do yoga either, but you do realize that you don't have to meditate to do it right? Kind of like you can do martial arts without doing the traditional ancient meditations.

Yoga is not demonic, but if your faith being weak does not allow you to do it, don't.

Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him. Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand. - Romans 14:1-4 (NKJV)

 

[ILWJ]

If a person chants while doing yoga or if they are listening to chanting music, that will give demons a legal right to oppress them. The chants are actual demon names. Just sayin.

 

[bsd31]

If a person chants while doing yoga or if they are listening to chanting music, that will give demons a legal right to oppress them. The chants are actual demon names. Just sayin.

What? Legal right to oppress them? Where in scripture does it say demonic forces have a "legal right" to oppress a Christian? No, I'm being serious. I've never seen such a thing. My Bible says "It is finished" and it also says "so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth"

I don't know but it doesn't sound like the demons have much time to be oppressing anyone, chants or not.

 

[Avniel]

What? Legal right to oppress them? Where in scripture does it say demonic forces have a "legal right" to oppress a Christian? No, I'm being serious. I've never seen such a thing. My Bible says "It is finished" and it also says "so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth"

I don't know but it doesn't sound like the demons have much time to be oppressing anyone, chants or not.

I think people get this from movies and cultural superstitions.

The fact is people give these things dominion.

When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell at his feet, shouting at the top of his voice, "What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, don't torture me!" For Jesus had commanded the impure spirit to come out of the man. Many times it had seized him, and though he was chained hand and foot and kept under guard, he had broken his chains and had been driven by the demon into solitary places. Jesus asked him, "What is your name?"
"Legion," he replied, because many demons had gone into him. And they begged Jesus repeatedly not to order them to go into the Abyss. (Luke 8:28-31 NIV)


When demons see a Christian they should be more fearful of you then you of the demon.

Christians(all Christians) have the legal right to cast out demons.

Chants are calling a demons name gives them legal authority?? You better find out the demons name and cast It out. Not with some fancy made up rituals but with the word of God.
Christians need to start a spiritual gang war on demons I might not be able to fight but I have a semi automatic weapon(not really just figuratively) and His name is Jesus.

We need more warriors for Christ.

 

[ILWJ]

I agree that to fear something or someone (other than God) gives that thing/person power. However, when I meditated and was oppressed, I didn't fear the meditation but was open to it. For example, people that watch porn are open to it and are opening a door for demons. That's the "legal right." A person has a hole in their spiritual hedge and is open to something that lets evil in. And yes every demon will bow to Jesus one day, that's why they are causing so much damage now because they know their time is short. they are not "bored" but are out constantly looking for opportunities to ruin people and send them down the broad path.