Is Yoga Ok for Christians?

[BenFTW]

Why can we not just consult the Creator of the heavens and earth and follow whatever He says?

Lets do that.

Romans 14:13-18

New International Version (NIV)

13 Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister. 14 I am convinced, being fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for that person it is unclean. 15 If your brother or sister is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy someone for whom Christ died. 16 Therefore do not let what you know is good be spoken of as evil. 17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, 18 because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval.


That is what the Word says. Indeed we shouldn't practice yoga before the eyes of a fellow Christian if it causes them distress or makes them stumble in some way. Keep it private. Do it for your own personal edification if indeed it edifies you.

 

[danschance]

The question of meditation is another question we need to ask ourselves.

It is not just about meditation. How far can we cross the line and still be safe?

In many of the yoga studios I visited, I found altars made of statues, posters and images of Ganesh, the elephant god, Hanuman, the monkey god, Shiva, Krishna, Kali, Durga, shakti, Buddha, etc.In many classes, a ritual bow in front of the altar is a routine practice before and/or after the session. Often one or two Sanskrit mantras (repeating the name of gods) will be chanted and incense burned as part of the ritual and worship of yoga. I was eager to stretch and release the stress of my body but I often felt uncomfortable with the display of worship to Hindu deities. In most cases, the class ends with the greeting “Namaste”, meaning I bow to the divine within you, which is another way of saying: I am god and you are god. There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, But the end thereof are the ways of death. Proverbs 16:25

From: 24-The spiritual stretch of Yoga | Spiritual Warfare – Revelation of a New Age Deception

 

[BenFTW]

Like I said, though you see no harm in it for your self, what about your weaker brother who may see it as an equivalent of eating meat that has been offered to idols?

See my other response to hizikya. But to answer here as well, do it in private. You don't have to have an audience. lol

 

[myfriendtiny]

I think what we all should do is take it up with God ... ask God what he thinks..because really no one not even me can really give you the true answer to your question..the only on that can answer you question is God...
Depend on God...

 

[Hizikyah]

Lets do that.

Romans 14:13-18

New International Version (NIV)

13 Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister. 14 I am convinced, being fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for that person it is unclean. 15 If your brother or sister is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy someone for whom Christ died. 16 Therefore do not let what you know is good be spoken of as evil. 17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, 18 because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval.


That is what the Word says. Indeed we shouldn't practice yoga before the eyes of a fellow Christian if it causes them distress or makes them stumble in some way. Keep it private. Do it for your own personal edification if indeed it edifies you.

you misuse Scripture blatantly..

1 Corinthians 10:20-21, "But I say that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons and not to Yahweh; and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons. You cannot drink the cup of Yahweh and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of Yahweh's table and of the table of demons."

 

[BenFTW]

you misuse Scripture blatantly..

1 Corinthians 10:20-21, "But I say that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons and not to Yahweh; and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons. You cannot drink the cup of Yahweh and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of Yahweh's table and of the table of demons."

Why don't you post the next couple verses?

1 Corinthians 10:23-26

New International Version (NIV)

The Believer’s Freedom

23 “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. 24 No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.
25 Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience, 26 for, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.”[a]

Also

31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 32 Do not cause anyone to stumble,whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God— 33 even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.

 

[posthuman]

Yoga practices as a path to spiritual enlightenment & purification: not cool.

Yoga practices as an effective regimen for controlling and improving our bodies breathing, posture and flexibility: what's the problem?

the problem i think is, as someone noted, very similar to 'meats offered before idols' - and like the teaching on that given in the scripture, for those 'not far separated' from idolatry, they won't 'touch it with a 100' pole' and that's good. i learned about pranayama breathing about 25 years ago and practice it - not with a mind to adjust the tint & hue of my chakras, but as a practical and useful way of strengthening my lungs and helping calm and focus an agitated body. i played sports too as a kid and i still use the same stretches i learned decades ago - to me it's not any different.
going to a yoga 'class' and having a Hindu instruct you, you're receiving a lot of bad spiritual teaching along with possibly beneficial exercise techniques. is the exercise of the body worth the pollution of the mind? the bible puts a much bigger emphasis on the spirit than the flesh, obviously:
For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things
(1 Timothy 4:8)
now this same Paul said he 'beats his body and makes it his slave' (1 Corinthians 9:27) - obviously having mastery over our own bodies is also scriptural, and we're not called to be gluttons and sloths.

so the exercise and the meditative techniques are not inherently evil. but the spiritual teaching is, and the two are rarely separated, though God has given us a discerning spirit, not all of us have or make use of that strongly, and for many people i agree doing Yoga is sinful. i don't think God is offended by you being focused and meditative and in control of your own body, but i do think He tells us to focus on Him, to meditate on His word, and to use our bodies to do good.

i'm not against any Christian who does some form of Yoga. i am against any Christian following its spiritual teachings. Tai Chi and many other marital arts are very similar - providing a good discipline for the body, but taught or rooted in a false spiritual understanding. i wouldn't condemn outright a Christian who learns Kung Fu, but i'd argue against it's associated spiritual teaching.

 

[danschance]

Do you think that if I am doing yoga for fun...am I doing a sin???? I am just curious..I am not trying to upset any one or anything..I am still trying to be a child of Christ...I am new at this and am having a difficult time..Is yoga a Demonice stretch practice?...

Most sin is fun and appeals to our flesh. I personalty will not engage in yoga because it is connected to Hinduism. Many poses worship Hindu deities. When you walk into a yoga studio, it does not feel like a gym at all. Some have an altar dedicated to Hindu gods. Often students say a Hindu word as the leave the studio which means "I bow to the diety in you".

I just can't approve of this as the bible says to be separate from the world.

 

[Hizikyah]

Why don't you post the next couple verses?

1 Corinthians 10:23-26

New International Version (NIV)

The Believer’s Freedom

23 “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. 24 No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.
25 Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience, 26 for, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.”[a]

Also

31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.32 Do not cause anyone to stumble,whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God—33 even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.

So you take this to mean that literally "I have the right to do anything" anything is anything.

Or maybe

2 Kepha 3:15-16, "...Shaul, in accordance with the wisdom given to him, has written to you, As also in all his letters, speaking in them about these things, in which are some things hard to be understood, which those who are unlearned and unstable twist, as they also do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction."

The battle cry of the modern pagan is to isolate of few verses of Shaul (Paul) that they believe give them "freedom" and filter everything through those, the religious establishments have been the key component of this doctrine....

A long time ago in a garden a snake told 2 people they could have "freedom" from the Instructions of the Creator, that what the Creator said was null and void, and that all would be well....

 

[myfriendtiny]

Most sin is fun and appeals to our flesh. I personalty will not engage in yoga because it is connected to Hinduism. Many poses worship Hindu deities. When you walk into a yoga studio, it does not feel like a gym at all. Some have an altar dedicated to Hindu gods. Often students say a Hindu word as the leave the studio which means "I bow to the diety in you".

I just can't approve of this as the bible says to be separate from the world.

I don't got to any yoga class....All that I am gonna say is if you want a answer that you might aprove of is ask God..Ask Him and see what he says...
Depend on God...

 

[BenFTW]

So you take this to mean that literally "I have the right to do anything" anything is anything.

Or maybe

2 Kepha 3:15-16, "...Shaul, in accordance with the wisdom given to him, has written to you, As also in all his letters, speaking in them about these things, in which are some things hard to be understood, which those who are unlearned and unstable twist, as they also do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction."

The battle cry of the modern pagan is to isolate of few verses of Shaul (Paul) that they believe give them "freedom" and filter everything through those, the religious establishments have been the key component of this doctrine....

A long time ago in a garden a snake told 2 people they could have "freedom" from the Instructions of the Creator, that what the Creator said was null and void, and that all would be well....

Nice use of that verse against me, but defamation isn't the way to a godly discussion or victory. Thanks for that. Instead of attacking my character, why not address the scripture? Its because the scripture says that we should be minding what we do, as so that we don't make a weaker brother stumble. But what we do, in and of itself, is not unclean. Its about not being a stumbling block to our brothers and sisters, as it were, in Christ. But to eat pork in private is not a sin, anymore than it is before a Christian who condemns it. Yet, to do so infront of them, is a lack of love and respect. We dont want to cause them to stumble.

 

[Zinzerio]

Originally Posted by danschance


Is it Ok to engage in Yoga for it's health benefits? Are there any spiritual negatives that come with Yoga? Many claim Yoga is a good why to stretch. Some churches alow a Yoga program to operate to benefit members.

First lets google the definition of Yoga:
1. a Hindu spiritual and ascetic discipline, a part of which, including breath control, simple meditation, and the adoption of specific bodily postures, is widely practiced for health and relaxation.



Yoga comes from Hinduism and yes it is a spiritual discipline. Each posture is designed to worship a particular Hindi diety. There are different types of Yoga practiced in the US. One of them is Kundalini yoga which is literally designed to open up your chakras and get in touch with the Kundalini spirit.

Here is a good YouTube video from a former Yoga master who details why he believes Yoga should not be practiced by Christians.

Quote Posted by myfriendtiny

I think it is how we use it...I do yoga...Some people use yoga as a God......I think we as christians can still do yoga...it just depends on how we use it..​

Quote Posted by danschance

So you are claiming it is OK to borrow some practices from other religions if our heart is in the right place?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------


danchance she did not say that no ,, she simply saying yoga is a relaxing exercise,, so why do you think its ok to say other wise ? Do you see yoga only one way by saying what you have said here,, because yoga is not just about worshiping a another religion, its about relaxing..

 

[paulsfam4]

I like yogurt...

 

[danschance]

Danchance she did not say that no ,, she simply saying yoga is a relaxing exercise,, so why do you think its ok to say other wise ? Do you see yoga only one way by saying what you have said here,, because yoga is not just about worshiping a another religion, its about relaxing..

Yes, yoga does have some healthy aspects to it, but it also is a part of a pagan religion.

 

[shrimp]

I have difficulties with this one. However, If I feel that certain holidays are pagan and therefor I won't celebrate them, then maybe I ought not be participating in pagan practices like yoga and tattoos and piercings and so on.
I don't know. I do think that when we start making exceptions to certain things we might as well throw out the whole book.
JM2C

 

[Zinzerio]

Yes, yoga does have some healthy aspects to it, but it also is a part of a pagan religion.

so are you saying if you do yoga your a pagon,, what are you saying here ?

 

[MarriedWoman]

I heard that the movements you do in yoga are a symbol of worship however there is so many conspiracies out there I couldnt say for sure. I stay away from it and go to Zumba to be on the safe side

 

[Hizikyah]

Nice use of that verse against me, but defamation isn't the way to a godly discussion or victory. Thanks for that. Instead of attacking my character, why not address the scripture? Its because the scripture says that we should be minding what we do, as so that we don't make a weaker brother stumble. But what we do, in and of itself, is not unclean. Its about not being a stumbling block to our brothers and sisters, as it were, in Christ. But to eat pork in private is not a sin, anymore than it is before a Christian who condemns it. Yet, to do so infront of them, is a lack of love and respect. We dont want to cause them to stumble.

I dont mean anything as to attack you, I speak openly in my conversation, in person I feel we need to speak truly and openly, same here, but text does not convey tone.

So nothing is unclean of itself, which is true.

But what is meant here?

A pig is not unclean of itself, BUT, once he pig ingests a rotting carcass it then becomes unclean.

Also pig meat is not speciffacially defined in said verse about eating, it is possible Shaul is talking about vegetarian (like Daniyl) or non-vegetarian, without talking to Shaul (Paul) first hand we have no way of being 100% sure, this is why Kepha (Peter) said he writes things hard to be understood, this is compounded when we as people take Shaul's writing and isolate it and make an entire doctrine off of it because we dont consult the other Scriptures, even his own other writhing to measure it against.

Shaul (Paul) said he himself follows Yahweh's Law, he is recorded in Acts keeping the Feasts of Yahweh also, to think he is say "if you dont eat pork (am eat that is extremely unhealthy) you are weak in Messiah, is, IMO foolish. For if one is not increased or decresed by eating meat or not eating meat how am I then stronger if I eat pork? This is why it is written Shaul's writings are hard to be understood, one must truly have a solid handle of all Scripture if they want to understand Shaul, buti know every church with 100 miles perfectly understands Shaul (Paul) even though some of the apostles said otherwise, the churches must be beyond the apostles? (I say it this was to illustrate the point of absurdity in believeing average modern day people, INCLUDING myself understand Shaul better than the apostles did.)

 

[Hizikyah]

Originally Posted by Hizikyah

you misuse Scripture blatantly..

1 Corinthians 10:20-21, "But I say that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons and not to Yahweh; and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons. You cannot drink the cup of Yahweh and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of Yahweh's table and of the table of demons."

Why don't you post the next couple verses?

1 Corinthians 10:23-26

New International Version (NIV)

The Believer’s Freedom

23 “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. 24 No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.
25 Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience, 26 for, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.”[a]

Also

31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.32 Do not cause anyone to stumble,whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God—33 even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.

Also I did not mention, how could he go from saying, dont mingle with demons to... its ok! do what ever you want!

I think a deeper understanding is needed here...

 

[crossnote]

Christian meditation involves 'chewing on' God's objective Word to a reality outside us...

Eastern meditation turns one inward, emphasizes the Silence or non thought.

So have at your Yoga meditation kiddies; I have found true peace and relaxation in Christ and His Gospel.