Should Christians practice yoga???

Good day beauts

I hope you’re all well and keeping safe during the current climate? Today’s topic of discussion may come across as controversial, but I desire for us to go over a few biblical principles. Yoga is currently the in thing, it’s promoted at gyms, hospitals, and various work places, but is it something a Christian should partake in? Is yoga really just a harmless and fun way for one to keep fit?

One thing I’ve noticed about Satan is that he likes to lie, and Jesus referred to Satan as the father of lies. Deception is his game, and he loves to feed individuals truth mixed with lies. He loves to get people to doubt God’s word, but God’s word is 100% truth. He also enjoys it when we make justifications for sinning.

John 8:44 ~ For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.

When looking into yoga one can see that it’s roots are founded in idol worship. Yoga is made up of a group of physical, mental, and spiritual practices originating from India. Yoga has strong links with Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism. Hinduism is a polytheistic religion, which involves the belief in multiple deities. The word of God clearly states that ‘Thou shall have no other god’. And what one must realise is that you cannot subtract Hinduism from yoga as yoga finds it’s roots in the Hindu religion. Jainism teaches salvation by perfection through living successive lives (reincarnation), and by not harming animals. But the Bible states that the only way to the Father (eternal life) is through Christ, and also mentions that it is appointed for man to die once, and after this comes judgement (Hebrews 9:27). One of the core beliefs of Buddhism is that one reaches Nirvana (a place in which suffering ceases) through right speech, right mindfulness, right action etc. The problem here is that we are saved through faith in Christ, and not by our works. Whereas with Buddhism salvation comes through self.

Exodus 20:3-5 ~ You must not have any other god but me. “You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods..…

John 14:6 ~ Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.

Ephesians 2:8-9 ~ God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.

Now let’s look at a practical example. Have you ever woken up in the morning with a random song in your head, and wondered why on earth such a tune has popped across your mind? It could be the result of walking around in a shopping mall, and hearing that particular song being played. Although you may not have been actively paying attention, your subconscious mind has picked up the words and tune of the song. This is why I don’t believe it is right to listen to foul profane music, simply because one likes the beat. It also confuses unbelievers who hear you listening to such music which they acknowledge to be filthy and inappropriate. You may think that you can drown out the words and just listen to the beat, but your subconscious mind picks up the the lyrics to the song too. So be very careful with what you intentionally choose to listen to.

So let us not be deceived into thinking that only the beat of a tune has some impact on a person. Words can affect a persons mood too! Sorry for the slight digression but I felt the need to look at the practical example of music, in order to help give us a clearer understanding about yoga. The postures used during yoga exercises are also known as ‘asanas’ (meditation poses). Some of these yoga postures mimic the poses of Hindu gods (idols) in their statue form. You cannot call evil good, you cannot sanctify poses derived from idol worship by playing Christian music! Thats just my view on yoga overall, including ‘Christian yoga’.

Now let’s take a look at the Old Testament for a bit…The Lord said to the people of Israel do not worship me in the same way in which the neighbouring nations worship their false idols (some would burn the children to death as an offering, or cut themselves). And God expects the same standards from us today. This is another reason as to why ‘Christian yoga’ should not be practiced. We ought NOT to worship God through trying to copying/imitate worldly practices. We are in this world but NOT of it! Just pilgrims until we are called to glory or Christ returns.

Deuteronomy 12:1-5 ~ “These are the decrees and regulations you must be careful to obey when you live in the land that the Lord, the God of your ancestors, is giving you. You must obey them as long as you live. “When you drive out the nations that live there, you must destroy all the places where they worship their gods high on the mountains, up on the hills, and under every green tree. Break down their altars and smash their sacred pillars. Burn their Asherah poles and cut down their carved idols. Completely erase the names of their gods! “Do not worship the Lord your God in the way these pagan peoples worship their gods. Rather, you must seek the Lord your God at the place of worship he himself will choose from among all the tribes the place where his name will be honored.”

So these are just some ground reason why I do not believe it is right to practice yoga, and why I choose not to. Now there’s absolutely nothing wrong with keeping fit and stretching before exercise to warm up your body, which I love to do. The problem lies with the beliefs and practices associated with yoga, and you cannot separate the foundational beliefs from the physical movements. Just some food for thought! You may have been oblivious to the roots behind yoga before, as I was and used to question my dad on why yoga was so bad, but I urge you to do your own research and continually ask the Holy Spirit for wisdom and understanding. Also beware that idol worship can bring about bondages into a persons life, but that’s another topic in itself. I hope you all continue to stay safe, and may God’s grace guide you throughout this week. Amen

Love from

Christian Lady After God’s Own Heart