First of all, the term “Christian Yoga” is an oxymoron; a contradiction in terms. There is no such thing as Christian yoga. Those who buy into this are flat being sold a bill of goods! Unfortunately, I’m aware that many unsuspecting Christians are now practicing this false and dangerous spiritual practice in churches, yoga studios, and at home. They’ve been lead to believe yoga is merely a form of physical exercise designed to improve their health and bodies. Or, on the concept of mind, body, spirit, there has been so much made of in modern literature. This is where the problem begins.
I don’t pretend to be an expert on yoga, (and I don’t want to be), but I do know quite a bit about the bible and it’s founder, the MOST HIGH GOD, THE CREATOR, and His Son, the LORD JESUS CHRIST. And I find that Yoga is not compatible with the biblical scriptures or the teachings of the LORD JESUS.
Wikipedia is not the end all-be all on any given subject perhaps, but there is an pretty good outline on this link of what Yoga is all about, confusing as that may be. Take a look. With a sensitively attuned spiritual eye, (not the third eye they claim), one can clearly discern there are some disturbing roots attached to the very essence of yoga. Read here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoga
The name Yoga appears to be defined as a “Yoking together”. Yoked to what I wonder? Practitioners claim it’s a “yoking together of mind, body and spirit”. Sounds harmless and good, but is it? I don’t think so.
If you continue reading, you will begin to realize that yoga is very definitely a spiritual practice with some very dangerous spiritual aspects. The idea of meditation, of emptying the mind for example, as opposed to focusing in prayer directed toward God, the Father and the Lord Jesus.
We might well mention in this post, the recent resurgence of the “Comtemplative Prayer” or Christian mysticism movement within the Christian community, which is also closely and dangerously connected to Meditation.
There other many other “yokings”, all closely aligned or linked confusingly together of supposed “beneficial” spiritual practices such as the New Age teachings and modalities under the banner of Christianity. Reiki, for example, claims to be inspired by God, or even Christ in some cases, and by some practitioners.
Then in the mix of all this confusion are the so-called “massage therapies”, the “Medical “Intuitives”, (in other words, psychics), “light workers”, Tarot Card Readers, even Scientologists…… and the list goes on.
Even when one goes to what are apparently “orthodox” medical sources such as Mayo Clinic or WebMD, there is advice to “meditate” for healing and relaxation. All these are claiming to be ways to healing and some claim to be divinely inspired. Nothing could be farther from the truth!
What do the scriptures say about these things?
First of all, Yoga is yoked or linked to the Hindu religion. It is a heathen religion. Poles apart from the teachings of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.
“Thus saith the Lord, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.” Jeremiah 10:2-4
“Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; ” KJV 2nd Cor 10:5
Finally, we might as well include this entire chapter for guidance and wisdom by the teaching of our great teacher the Holy Spirit:https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+2&version=KJV
And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.
2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.
4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:
5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:
7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? but we have the mind of Christ.
I sincerely hope those Christians reading this post will take it to heart and stick close to the scriptures, and obedience to the Lord Jesus and His teachings. And to those who may be involved in practicing, teaching or promoting Yoga; or the other things I mentioned, I hope and pray you will not take offense but reconsider what you are doing. You may have gotten into this innocently enough not knowing the truth about how dangerous it is spiritually and physically. But, please, reach out to Jesus Christ in prayer and repentance. He will not only forgive but will bring y0u to a knowledge of the truth.
In Christ,
Scarlett
Spiritual Abuse Sanctuary 