Do you NOT do yoga because of your religion?
 

I'm Christian, and really want to start a regular yoga practice because I think it would be good for my proverbial 'mind, body, spirit' but several people around me have cautioned against it saying it's praying to other gods (or something like that).

I was reading some articles at this site, and apparently Judiasm and Islam followers also have a pov on yoga. ( Yoga & Religion Articles )

If you are religious, what do you say to other religious people who tell you you shouldn't do it?:?:

I would say that it's not a religous thing, but a spiritual thing. It connects you with your body and if you don't want the religious side of it, ignor it. Above and beyond that, it will make you so much more supple! Tell the other people that you're not doing it for the religious aspect, but rather the health aspects!

Any yoga I have done has had nothing to do with religion at all. I think it would be perfectly fine to do yoga to help centre yourself. I think its like you said...about getting the mind, body and spirit aligned.

As for the praying to other gods...I think there has to be an intent involved in prayer. Moving your body in a certain way does not equate a prayer. Saying this also assumes that different religion=different god...I don't believe this is true. I think you should look at whether or not its what you believe.

Yoga can be very relaxing but if you are going to be worrying about religion the whole time, and whether or not it is against your beliefs, then it may not be very helpful or relaxing.

Why not just try a class and see if its something that feels good to you or feels wrong? Most places will let you have a free first class. Then you will know for sure and you won't have to rely on other people's opinions.

Casey

Just reading what the pp poster put...I agree...and even if prayer or God is mentioned in the context of class...you know who you are praying to and isn't that what matters?

Casey

My yoga class isn't spiritual at all, it's all about breathing and posture and trying to keep up with our super bendy 67 year old instructor! If you search you may be able to find a Christian teacher. There are strains of quite spiritual buddhist inspired yoga classes, and these may not be best for you. No yoga teacher will mind you asking questions about what is the basis of their practice.

You do yoga for you, to get stronger, more centred, to learn about your body and where it's at. You don't need to answer to anyone but your Father, so I wouldn't worry what anyone else says to you, but perhaps reply that you have prayed about it, and are very comfortable with what you are doing, thanks very much ;)

I agree pretty much with what the others are saying. Every yoga class (or DVD) I've experienced has had no religious affiliation. There was one time where the teacher guided us in a meditation but it was a general meditation that you could use as guided prayer or just to center your mind or really for whatever purpose you wanted it to be.

As a practicing Christian, I have never found yoga to be in conflict with my beliefs.

My wife does yoga strictly for the physical benefits and relaxation. There is nothing religious about the classes she attends. And she doen't feel it conflicts with her beliefs as a Christian.

I have done yoga for a few years and never had a problem. When you relax at the end of the class focus on what God has planned for you that day. I like yoga cause it is a great strenght and flexiblility class. I like it much better than arerobics class. I feel really strong, relaxed and happy at the end of each class. Do not let other people make up your mind for you. Go and try out a class.

Nancy:D

I seem to be the "lone voice" here in the forum... but I am a Christian also and I agree with the people who are cautioning you not to do it. Just for what it's worth. :)

Listen, I have been a born again Christian for over 40 years, have belonged to seriously conservative churches and know how they feel about this. Truly though, if you are sitting in a yoga position and praying to GOD or communicating with God, it is YOUR mind that knows what God you are communicating with, right? How many times have you been in church or a prayer group and they ask for total stillness and quiet to commune with God? Just because you are sitting different on a yoga mat instead of in a pew or on the couch or a hardbacked chair etc does not mean you all of a sudden have thrown your religious beliefs out the window for heaven's sake. I DO understand the caution about this, but unless you are part of an organized group that you feel is asking you to do something that is contrary to what you believe, I see no harm in it. If that is the case, stay at home and do it yourself. There are non-religious affiliated tapes that teach yoga and only yoga.

I am also a conservative Christian and have concerns about yoga. While searching for Christian yoga tapes or DVDs online I found PraiseMoves. I have not bought the tapes, but it seemed exciting. If I remember right, the instructor was a Yogi and deep into the spiritual side of yoga. She then became a Christian and felt lead to not practice yoga anymore. She then developed the PraiseMoves routines with modified yoga postures and replaced mantras with scripture. I found the site on a search engine, so I am sure you can find it and evaluate it for yourself.

Best of luck!

That sounds great, Martha! Thanks for the info!

That does sound interesting......I'd love a class like that, although my class is fabulous. We do guided relaxation at the end of the class, but it is always focused on the body, nothing spiritual at all "tell your arms to relax that sort of thing.

I must be very blessed with the class I chose, I certainly wouldn't feel comfortable doing one with any mantras or chants.

I don't do yoga because I can't physically do it just yet. I just look like I am struggling with getting off the floor or bending over. HA!

To answer the question on the thread, I'd have to admit that I'm one who would NOT do yoga because of my religion. [I'm a traditional Roman Catholic]

D.

Nothing to "admit" to D... I'm not a Catholic but I agree with you :)

Yoga is used for relaxation and flexibility. It's only about religion if you make it about religion. If you choose to make it a peaceful time to get with God than that is your choice. We as Christians are supposed to spend time during our day meditating on the Word, Yoga is a great opportunity to do this.

It also has a great many health benefits and, whether your goal is enlightenment, revelation, relaxation, simple clarity or low blood pressure, the process of mediation puts you in touch with something good and quietly profound, it centers you. In Yoga, the body is treated with care and respect for it is the primary instrument in man's work and growth. Yoga Exercises improve circulation, stimulate the abdominal organs, and put pressure on the glandular system of the body, which can generally result to better health.
The paragraphs in green are from the following website, http://www.abc-of-yoga.com/beginners...whatisyoga.asp
Breathing techniques were developed based on the concept that breath is the source of life. In Yoga, students gain breathing control as they slowly increase their breathing. By focusing on their breathing, they prepare their minds for the next step - Meditation.

There is a general misconception that in Meditation, your mind has to go blank. It doesn't have to be so. In Meditation, students bring the activities of the mind into focus resulting in a 'quiet' mind. By designing physical poses and Breathing Techniques that develop awareness of our body, Yoga helps us focus and relieves us from our everyday stress.

So you see, it can be a spiritual thing if you want it to, or it can just be done for the health benefits.

Don't worry about what others think, if it's something that can help you and your health, than try it. It can never hurt to give it a try.

In I Corinthians (Chapters 8 - 10), scripture talks of meat sacrificed to idols, that in spirit speaks to this, I believe. Early Christians asked Paul if they could sharing meals with pagan friends and family. Often, the meat involved in the meal would have been sacrificed to idols first. So did sharing a meal amount to taking part in idol-worship? He replied in I Corinthians Chapter 8.

I take this to mean, that you can't "accidentally" pray to idols or false gods. And that you should not participate in non-Christian activities such as eating meat sacrificed to idols (or practice yoga, or participating in celebrations with pagan origins such as Halloween or Easter events involving "the bunny") if it will lead you others from Christ. Most Americans do not see Yoga (or the other activities mentioned) as practice of religious, so it is unlikely that you will lead other Christians astray by participating. You know if your faith is not strong enough to withstand exposure to other belief and value systems.

Personally, although this us just my opinion, I would argue that if your faith can't stand up to yoga, it probably can't stand up to the average television commercial (which is full of implied and overt worship of money, sex, greed, gluttony...).

Still, if after it all is said and done, God is more important than exercise or television, so you choose your activities based on what strengthens, not challenges your faith.

Couldn't help but think about this thread when I read an article today in a local event magazine. It talked about the "Christine Center," a Roman Catholic retreat center. It seems a bit new age, but they have a Catholic Priest teaching yoga. Now THAT would be an interesting class.

Just wandering through and this thread piked my curiosity as I have personally weighed yoga, or not, for myself. Southern Baptist born and bred, but Christian through and through. While I love and honor the SBC denomination, as I mature and try to disect man's teachings (Doctrine) with God's teachings (Bible) I find that sometimes my fears are based in doctrine and not from God. When I am closely in tuned with the Holy Spirit, I find that he is all the Teacher I need. I haven't settled my mind yet on whether this be for me or not, but I would suggest that you ask Him. I truly believe that your inner being inspired through the HS dwelling will make you uncomfortable if it is not for you. There are probably different types of yoga as well, just go informed and protected if you would like to try it out.

I'm back after being away for a long time, and I had this question, as well. Here's what I have gleaned from counsel I have sought. The difficulty with yoga comes with the meditation part. When you "meditate" on anything, you open up your mind to satan and all his evil forces. We have a church in town that actually has yoga classes filled with praise music and prayer. I haven't tried it yet, as I am not ready, but this would fit the bill for filling our empty mind. We must always be discerning in the choices we make!

Yoga
 

Thank you every one for your comments on yoga. I must admit I Have stayed away for religious reasons. I didn't want to get into some group where they were chanting or using some mantra. I did not do much homework to find a group. So, I do appreciate all the input.
Thank you Martha for the Praise Moves suggestion. I will certainly check it out. The one yoga tape I did try - I simply couldn't do. It said beginners - but I couldn't even begin. :dizzy:
The value of streaching and bending gives one a sense of well being. I will pursue this more seriously.:)

Psalms 19:14

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

Meditation seems A-Okay to me.

I've never been to a yoga class, so I don't know how other people do it. My experience with it using a video is that it's more an athletic endeavor than a spiritual one.

I believe the difference is that when they speak of meditation in the bible it means to meditate on God, His will, and His words. The eastern version of meditation is a clearing of the mind, which some believe will allow evil in.

Wouldn't letting your mind wander do the same thing, under the same logic? And I believe that in yoga, a mantra allows you to focus on one thing in order to avoid the stress of distractions. There is nothing that prevents you from using a bible verse as a mantra, or opening your mind to God, rather than to evil or nothingness.

I agree with kaplods. You have to be able to clear and open your mind to be able to hear God anyway. I don't see any reason why you can't do this during yoga. Evil will only get in if you allow it to.

Yoga
 

If you are afraid to jump into a yoga class, may I suggest a yoga class that is aired every morning on the Oxygen network? It's called INHALE, and it's very fun (no mantras) The only set back is all the skinny women!!!
You can dip your toes into yoga in the comfort of your home rather than taking the plunge in a class somewhere.

"Yoga" translates as "union". (body, heart, and mind)

4boys - that sounds pretty cool, Do you know what time it comes on? I work but I could record it and do it either before I go to work or in the evenings to help me unwind.

Have you considered talking to the leader of your church about what you are considering? It might be nice to get the perspective of your religious leader after a good conversation about your goals for physical health, etc. It would also be a good thing to say to other people who believe it is incompatible with your beliefs - to say you discussed it with your religious leader and came to the conclusion that it was OK or not OK for you.

Just a thought.

Also an article from Christianity Today:

Yes to Yoga
Can a Christian breathe air that has been offered to idols?
by Agnieszka Tennant | posted 05/19/2005 09:30 a.m.


In-out-in-out-in-out.

In-out.

In. Out.

Inhale.

Exhale.

Inn … Outt …

Innn …

It's 7:45 p.m. on a weekday and for the first time today, I consciously slow down my breathing. I send the air deep down into my belly, letting it rise and fall like a wave. Inn … Outt …

Along with a group of 30 people in a darkened exercise studio at a Lifetime Fitness gym near Chicago, I use the unhurried cadences of the air filling and leaving my lungs to lull my muscles and joints into daring postures. My body becomes a mountain. An eagle. A warrior. A pigeon. A downward dog. A cobra. Finally—my favorite pose that comes at the end of each workout—a corpse, during which I lay down and relax every muscle.

Oh, and I'm an evangelical—mostly, a proud one. Proud of Christ, of Mary Magdalene, of G.K. Chesterton, of the way the Bible cuts through all cultures and all times and all hearts, and of smart evangelicals like historian Mark Noll at Wheaton College who have pried open the collective evangelical mind.

Sometimes though, I admit, I'm a tad embarrassed to be a member of the diverse evangelical family. Like yesterday, when I heard on NPR that the National Association of Evangelicals had led a charge at the Supreme Court opposing out-of-state wine shipments. May the finest wine maker have mercy on us!

Also yesterday, shame rushed through my face as I read on The Huffington Post, the hot, new, militantly liberal website, a reference to an article on yoga published by Christianity Today's sister publication Today's Christian Woman. In it, Max Blumenthal rightly pokes fun at the admiring article's main voice, which belongs to Laurette Willis, who believes yoga is pretty much of the devil. "Yoga's breathing techniques (pranayama) may seem stress-relieving, yet they can be an open door to psychic influences," Willis says.

Willis, who used to be a yoga instructor, believes that the practice opened her mind to New Age spirituality and led to her depression and alcoholism. After she was born again, she's remade herself into a PraiseMoves instructor (and skilled marketer). She wouldn't say this, but let's face it: she's still a yoga instructor—thus acknowledging yoga's healthful benefits—but now offers biblical explanations and biblical-sounding names for the poses.

Now, Willis and other Christians may have good reasons to feel uneasy about yoga. With her background in New Age, which was clearly an oppressive force in her life, I could be weary of what yoga reminds me of, too.

But it bothers me that people like Willis demonize a healthful exercise regimen, and engage in fear mongering (or is it fear marketing?) among evangelicals. The stereotype of evangelicals they reinforce I'd rather live without. We can leave the spreading of wrong-headed stereotypes about evangelicals to the more experienced bashers—some columnists at The New York Times, for example.

To dispel the stereotype at hand, let me witness that yoga has never had any negative influence on me, and it doesn't trigger any harmful religious impulses. Just the opposite is true. The three hours a week I spend doing yoga not only make me more flexible, tone my muscles, and relax me. They also draw me closer to Christ. They are my bodily-kinetic prayer.

Need I say that it was Alpha and Omega who first thought of and then created the common graces of oxygen, stretching, flexibility, breathing, and soothing music?

My natural response to any deep-breathing exercises is an emotionally felt love of God. Soon after I take off my socks and do a couple of poses, spontaneous prayers soar to Christ. Give me five minutes of yoga, and my mind immediately goes to the metaphor of God's spirit being as omnipresent and as necessary as the air.

In the same way that measured breathing is essential to yoga, the Spirit—which in both biblical Greek and Hebrew also means breath—is indispensable to my soul. Breathe in. Breathe out. Holy Spirit in. Anything that's not from God out. Come Holy Spirit. Renew my mind. In. Out. Thank. You. As I twist my body into places it hadn't been before, I can't help but pray this. Why fix what ain't broke?

Now, my enthusiasm for yoga doesn't mean I'm in denial about its Hindu roots. The magazine Hinduism Today editorialized that "the knowing separation of hatha yoga from Hinduism is deceptive." I know that hard-core yogis believe that yoga is more than exercise or a relaxation technique. To them, it's a religious ritual.

But the Hindu gods don't make it onto my mat. Yoga purists don't lead classes at mainstream American gyms. Could it be that some of them learned yoga from the purists? Yes. But no one's making me repeat any mantras. The closest any of my gym's several yoga teachers get to religious utterances is by bowing and saying "Namaste" at the end each class, which can be translated as "The soul in me honors the soul in you" or "The image of God in me honors the image of God in you." I like it! It just reminds me that, as C. S. Lewis put it, there are no mere mortals.

But let's suppose an improbable scenario: that one of these religious yoga proselytizers sneaked into my gym with the intent of spreading Hinduism. Say she'd put on a beautiful, rhythmic melody with an Oriental boy choir chanting words of worship that address an idol. Could she seduce my soul, over time, away from Christ?

I don't think so. I don't, for one, because worship is a conscious act of the mind. If it's busy overflowing with gratitude to Christ for the way he made my body, I simply don't have the mental space to give up to an idol. Second, can a non-existent idol snatch me away from Father God who has adopted me as his child? No chance.

In other words, yoga is like the meat that had been offered to idols. Can I put it on my sandwich? That, more or less, was the question on the minds of some of Christians in Corinth. "We know that an idol is nothing at all in the world and that there is no God but one," Paul wrote to them. "For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth … yet for us there is but one God." Food "does not bring us near to God; we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do," he said.

But some people, he acknowledged, are "so accustomed to idols that when they eat such food they think of it as having been sacrificed to an idol, and since their conscience is weak, it is defiled." Willis, by her own admission, falls in this category when it comes to yoga.

As for me, put that meat on my sandwich! Yummy! Thank you, Jesus!

Christ in.

Stress out.

Holy Spirit in.

Fear out.

God the Father in.

Carbon dioxide out.

Copyright © 2005 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Ariannas,
It comes on at 6 am. Mon-Fri. I have taped a few and just do them at night if I haven't quite mustered up the energy to get up that early. It's very fun, you'll like it!

Also, to add to everyone...
My best friend (who is a devout christian!) has been a yoga instructor. Never once has she felt it is praying to other gods. She explains the poses, not as prayers, but that each one is specific in opening your energy centers (chakras) along your spine. Each chakra is linked to a different endocrine gland, and contain the essence of our conditioning, inform our personality, and are positively affected by yoga postures. So think of them not as prayers, but rather harmonizing your body, heart and mind.

I think part of the "problem" is that because eastern religions do not separate the divine from the secular, it can be difficult for Westerners to. Religion, nutrition, health, and science are all seen as part of a big whole. Just because it is spiritual for them, doesn't mean it has to be for us. Many asians have no problem "combining" religions, and may consider themselves Budhist and Christian, for example, at least that's what my religion professor in college said (A methodist minister, in a methodist school, though I was Catholic at the time, and have since converted to Lutheran- Missouri synod). He explained it that many eastern religions, can be seen as philosophies, rather than just religions, and that someone could change spiritual beliefs, but still retain much of the spiritual philosophy(ies) native to their culture. Thus, a person may no longer believe in reincarnation, but might still believe in chakras and karma (which isn't too different than the biblical, reaping what is sown).

Colleen.. this is an absolutely wonderful post.

I want to type something else in support but you've said it all. And very well.

At the risk of offending many people, i am very much against practicing yoga. While you may steer clear of the religious aspect of it, you are still dabbling in other religions. You are opening yourself up to it. This is probably a really bad analogy, but it's kind of like listening to Ozzy Osbourne singing an ode to the founder of the Church of Satan and saying it's no big deal cause it's just music. (Mr. Crowley for those of you who don't know)

As a general rule, if your conscience is bothering you, it's probably for a good reason. God gave you a conscience. Listen to it. If you deliberately go against your conscience, you are sinning.

In Christ,
christine

Christine,

I'm not offended, I just believe that I Corinthians (Chapters 8 - 10), speaks to this and answers the question to my satisfaction.

The early Christians Paus was speaking to were also worried that they were "dabbling" in pagan religions, and Paul basically told them, only if you think so.

The early Christians asked Paul if they could sharing meals with pagan friends and family, because the meat probably had been. In essence, he replied that there was no problem eating the meat unless, because of a weakness in faith or a belief (even a little bit) in the pagan superstition, it would weaken their faith or another Christian's at the meal.

If eating idol-sacrificed meat is not sinful, unless you believe in pagan idols, then doing pagan exercises is not sinful (even if to the pagans it is prayerful -as certainly eating idol-sacrificed meat was), unless you believe in the pagan religion.

Reading I Corinthians, it is clear to me that Paul was addressing the fact that superstitions can lead us to feeling guilt and fear of behaviors that are not in themselves sinful, but if you cannot shake the belief in the superstition, then the behavior becomes sinful and should be avoided. This doesn't mean that superstitions should be embraced, but rather our faith should be strengthened to the point that superstitions no longer have power over us.

I'm glad to open myself up to it. It's good that we are all allowed to follow our conscience.. mine tells me that it is fine to do my best to understand myself and my fellow man. To do what is best for me... and others..

It's a good thing to have your own opinion and your own conscience.

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

Also 1 Corinthians 10:28 "But if anyone says to you, 'This was offered to idols,' do not eat it for the sake of the one who told you and for conscience' sake; for 'the earth is the Lord's, and all its fullness.'"

If you make these passages refer to yoga, then if anyone tells you that yoga is part of eastern religions and involves praying to other gods, then you shouldn't participate.

i completely agree with you all about the conscience. If your conscience even hints at yoga being a sin, then don't participate.

In Christ,
christine

If that is what YOU believe.. then I agree YOU shouldn't participate.

I'm looking at this post and still trying to figure out what people are objecting to specifically. I've never made that connection. I've never even heard of that connection.

I Corinthians 10 must be taken in it's entire context:

10:27 encourages the Christian to eat the meat served and not ask about it's origin. 10:28 says to refuse if doing so would weaken the faith of the person giving the meat to you. 10:29 says it clearly "I do not mean your conscience, but his (he who told you it was sacrificed to idols)...

In 10:31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

I think this is very clear (if you read all of Chapter's 8 - 10, and not just single passages) that unless you or someone else has a "weak conscience," that would be swayed by participating in yoga, there is no sin in it. If no one in the yoga class is under the impression that you endorse the religious practice of yoga, and if none is weakened in their Christian beliefs because of it, there is no sin.

I stand by my original statement that one cannot accidentally pray to false idols (which I believe is exactly what Paul is saying here) and that if it weakens your faith or the faith of others, then avoid it. But, it is also clear that he means the context of the situation is very imprtant. In a situation in which your faith and that of others is not in any way jeaopardized, you can not only participate, but do so in a spirit that gives Glory to God.

It has the meaning that you give it. Which I believe is also what Paul is saying. If you are secure in your faith, and are confident that no one misunderstands your motives (if they understand you are a Christian, and pray only to God), there is nothing sinful in the practice of yoga, particularly when you take out the pagan component. If you are praying to God while doing yoga (for example not using as a mantra that is a pagan deity's name), then you are doing so for the glory of God. With a little explanation, I don't see how this can weaken another's faith, but only provides an opportunity to strengthen it through witness.