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What kind???........i've been going to yoga classes for more than 10 years and can personally attest to the fact that there are MANY kinds of yoga and many kinds of teachers.
my current "hot yoga" instructor leads the class through poses and instruction, but aside from using the phrases like "quiet your mind" and "meditate" (which i find completely relevant as a christian) the focus remains on the physical discipline.
i don't find anything inappropriate in that class, or i wouldn't be there. but i've also walked out of classes before.
i have been to classes and disciplines where they definitely take a far greater interest in borrowing from what i consider contrary to my christian faith. classes where the "movement" was secondary to the meditation principles.
i think yoga is a lot like some of the marital arts, in that way.
i personally think yoga is fine as long as you are picky about the instructor and how the class is led. for many people, (myself included) yoga is all about flexibility and strength. period.
my current "hot yoga" instructor leads the class through poses and instruction, but aside from using the phrases like "quiet your mind" and "meditate" (which i find completely relevant as a christian) the focus remains on the physical discipline.
i don't find anything inappropriate in that class, or i wouldn't be there. but i've also walked out of classes before.
i have been to classes and disciplines where they definitely take a far greater interest in borrowing from what i consider contrary to my christian faith. classes where the "movement" was secondary to the meditation principles.
i think yoga is a lot like some of the marital arts, in that way.
i personally think yoga is fine as long as you are picky about the instructor and how the class is led. for many people, (myself included) yoga is all about flexibility and strength. period.
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D
Do you need yoga for strength and flexibility or can you get it from other avenues? Can you strech and work out in a gym and get the same or better results?
You mention being picky about you yoga instructor. I agree some are better, but now you are saying it is OK if you don't cross a line. Why not avoid crossing than line by not engaging in it at all?
in no way do i assert that what i do is right for every Christian. but as of right now, today, i have no qualms about what i'm doing, because it has poses none of the risk you reference for me.
if i didn't have the Holy Spirit (and confidence in God leading me and my life) perhaps i'd be more worried about every single risk life has to offer, including your reference of "crossing a line".
in my narrow example, i think this is exactly the kind of situation that God wants us to be sensitive and confident in His leading our lives.
like almost any activity that has no absolute, black and white instruction, i would say that the class i've described falls under the heading of acceptably led by my conviction and the Holy Spirit as to what is right for me.
the Holy Spirit has led me in ways that aren't expected, popular, and in situations where my judgment was flawed. He also confirms things for me when i need that clarification. i don't think God wants us to live our lives completely afraid of any and all risk, as to put ourselves on the shelf and not trust His leading.
i also don't consider this a "risk" in the sense that you seem to make it.
most alternative medicine has roots in eastern religion, and yet, many Christians seem to find that a very acceptable, if not preferred choice.
finally, i've become quite chummy with the instructor and a few other students, and i consider it one of the opportunities God may be using me to be a reflection and witness of God's love and truth.
if i didn't have the Holy Spirit (and confidence in God leading me and my life) perhaps i'd be more worried about every single risk life has to offer, including your reference of "crossing a line".
in my narrow example, i think this is exactly the kind of situation that God wants us to be sensitive and confident in His leading our lives.
like almost any activity that has no absolute, black and white instruction, i would say that the class i've described falls under the heading of acceptably led by my conviction and the Holy Spirit as to what is right for me.
the Holy Spirit has led me in ways that aren't expected, popular, and in situations where my judgment was flawed. He also confirms things for me when i need that clarification. i don't think God wants us to live our lives completely afraid of any and all risk, as to put ourselves on the shelf and not trust His leading.
i also don't consider this a "risk" in the sense that you seem to make it.
most alternative medicine has roots in eastern religion, and yet, many Christians seem to find that a very acceptable, if not preferred choice.
finally, i've become quite chummy with the instructor and a few other students, and i consider it one of the opportunities God may be using me to be a reflection and witness of God's love and truth.
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J
Dan, it is interesting that you mentioned the kundalini spirit. Andrew Strom (a paster in New Zealand who used to be a part of the Kansas City Prophets, but left it) shows in a youtube video and book how the same actions done in India under the influence of the kundalini spirit are practiced by extreme charismatics. The jerking, contortions, strange groans and movements were identical in some charismatic churches. The spirit is very real.
if yoga, in anyway, is opening up the heart to such spirits then it is truly evil. I agree with you about yoga. I believe we should shun any appearance of evil. I see the same thing In tattoos and "Christian" music that uses the same beats and sounds as death metal bands.
Satan is very subtle and crafty and I believe he has infiltrated more areas of the lives of Christians, because of our practices, than we even think.
if yoga, in anyway, is opening up the heart to such spirits then it is truly evil. I agree with you about yoga. I believe we should shun any appearance of evil. I see the same thing In tattoos and "Christian" music that uses the same beats and sounds as death metal bands.
Satan is very subtle and crafty and I believe he has infiltrated more areas of the lives of Christians, because of our practices, than we even think.