Recently I was looking through a local paper here in my home town and ran across an ad at a Methodist Church advertising a yoga class on Saturday mornings. It seems like everyone is doing yoga these days, believer and non-believers. Just wondered what your thoughts were on this yoga trend? Is it innocent or should we as christians be concerned?
Recently I was looking through a local paper here in my home town and ran across an ad at a Methodist Church advertising a yoga class on Saturday mornings.I think this is a frightful trend, I am not an expert on these things and really don't know all the details of Yoga, but I do sense it is bad and is not something that a Christian should be practising. Many churches are allowing Yoga to come into the Churches to gain more adherents and also rent out space to organisations and other religious groups. Most churches in Toronto (where I come from) are renting out space to questionable organisations because their attendance and tithing is so low. May Churches never comprimise their witness in the neiberhoods they are in. I am looking forward to reading more of what others think of this and more knowledgable people can tell us about the practice of Yoga.
I dont really know but isn't there 2 types of yoga? Isn't one just stretching and the other spiritual? I don't really know. THere may not be more than one type. I would steer clear of it.
Below is a link that has some detailed accounts of the rise of hinduism in America. It's by a man named Elliot Miller.http://www.equip.org/free/DS213.htmI think the biggest problem I am seeing with Christians and yoga, including myself, is the ignorance of the roots of yoga and hinduism.Something that needs to be discussed!
I am looking forward to reading more of what others think of this and more knowledgable people can tell us about the practice of Yoga.There are two issues here for me. The first is the use of the church for Yoga. I don't have much to say on this subject except I liked Bingo better...The second, issue is regarding Yoga itself. Classic Yoga is not only physical but "metaphysical". In fact, the sanskrit for "yoga" and "religion" essentially carry the same definition; i.e., "to yoke" ("yuj/yoga") to the "Spirit" and "to link or bind" ("religio") to the "Spirit." (Yuck) If the yoga being practiced at the Church includes this "meditation path" then something is seriously out of wack! Serious students of yoga are immersed in Hindu scripture and theology.(Buddhist, Sikh or Jain variations) The spiritualist terminology alone would be a red flag. ("Oneness" of Atman and Brahman, Practicing non-attachment, embracing your inner wounds, Buddha says this or teaches us such and such...) Because Yoga is more then simple exercise but "a way of life", it is an open door to spiritual darkness. Could we broaden the discussion to include Martial Arts in general?My son attends Karate class twice a week at the YMCA. Besides bowing as a matter of respect upon entering and leaving the gym, there is no mystic or magic dimension to the class. The instruction is purely physical, with absolutely no "meditation" or any philosophy. For my part, I feel that this "Americanized" Karate is no different then wrestling or boxing. Perhaps there is a "yoga-lite" that is only physical like Pilates or calisthenics.One question that would help me...How do our brothers from the Pac Rim and India feel about yoga and Martial Arts in general? Do they still participate in "sanitized" versions of these activities? I've traveled to these parts of the world often where it was very common to see even elderly people practicing some type of movement art, (Tai Chi?) in public parks or on the balcony's outside their flats. Could any of these people have been Christians? I am only vaguely familiar with the Shaolin/Indian Buddhist orgins of Eastern Martial Arts over a thousand years ago. Perhaps today, in modern times there are "secular" versions of many Martial Arts that are as free from Buddhism as Christmas trees are from paganism.I'll be curious to see what everyone else thinks...MC
I have two accounts from two girls I know, concerning yoga & meditation, The first was at school in yr 10.For a class her teacher was making them do yoga & meditation.She & a friend of hers refused to, on the basis of there beliefs in Jesus Christ & where told to stay up the back of class & that they couldn’t leave till it was over,they complied with this but started to pray over the place where it was happening.As she did the Holy Spirit opened her eyes to the spiritual realm & she started to see demonic figures doing all types of vile & disgusting acts to all these people, who were engrossed in there yoga & meditation.They continued to pray then as if the teacher caught wind of what they were doing yelled at them to leave the class.They were shaken by this experience; the teacher also got them in trouble for being distractions in the class.Second girl was at a university, she was into the fringes of the eastern religions trying to find truth, There was a guy who was a Christian who would discuss God & truth with her, she invited him to her classes but he declined, After a period of time there friendship grew & out of concern for her he said you really shouldn’t be into the yoga & meditation, she asked why, he said it’s a wrong path, only Jesus is the way the truth & the life, he said ask God to show you what happens in your classes & for the truth,She recalled that in her next class while in meditation she kept thinking about what he said ask God to show you the truth, she asked Jesus I want to know the truth is this wrong what im doing?She said that she saw demonic spirits attacking people contorting in & threw there bodies same type of thing as the other vile incident,She told the young man & she later saw that Jesus was the truth.She shared this at a cell group I was in a few years back she thought she was a little cuckoo for what she saw,so she didn’t share it much.because of my background I was able to discuss what she saw & show her that there is a spiritual realm, She later married the guy who to lead her to Christ,I do believe in both these cases it was the gift of discernment in the spiritual realm in operation by the Holy Spirit, Third is a sidenote on there was a uniting church a few years ago, who were holding psychic nights in there hall for some extra dough sad very sad,
Hi everyone. here is a link to something called Praisemoves. I read the "why christian yoga" article and she is clearly against regular yoga and gives the reasons.I do these type of stretches at home and at the gym, also but usually I am praying or thanking God that my body still bends and moves quite nicely :)I can't say I would attend one of these classes though- simply because i prefer weight training and cardio.All I know is that I my body is the temple of the Holy Spirit and where ever I am- so is He. In everything i do, it is to glorify God- whether washing dishes, taking out the trash, jogging to keep my body healthy or stretching to stay flexible.In Christ, Chanin
Do not be unequally yoked can also apply to mixing Christianity with false religions, and yoga is part of a false religion... whether it be yoga "lite" or straight up yoga.There are plenty of other ways to be physically fit without getting involved in yoga.Krispy
If christians want to stretch (which IS very good for you!) why don't they just call it a stretching class?! why even get the word yoga involved because people are obviously going to have problems with it.This is why I don't go to any classes and just stick to my own routines and weight lifting.just my two cents :-) In Christ, Chanin
why even get the word yoga involved because people are obviously going to have problems with it.One possibility is because a particular church is trying to make itself attractive to the world... by offering yoga classes, or some other self-help/entertainment option. This is rampant in the church.I'm a weight lifter myself, but I go to the gym, not the church, to stay physically fit.Krispy
I heard that certain positions in yoga are ones that are used to call up various evil spirits. Don't know if that is true but it was from a fairly believable source.
Don't even get me started on Yoga. There was a thread we already talked about it but I can't remember where or how to post the link. Could somebody post the link here? Thanks.I'm sad to hear that coming from a church, but it's not the first time I've heard it. SHAME! And besides, if there is time for that then there is time for prayer meetings and revival meetings!
I'm sad to hear that coming from a church, but it's not the first time I've heard it. SHAME! And besides, if there is time for that then there is time for prayer meetings and revival meetings!Can you imagine the Apostles organizing something like this?Krispy
Aye, that is a scary thought. I could see them making whips out of cord...Whatever happened to: "My house shall be called a house of prayer"?
It's all about $$ folks.I personally have a problem with Yoga because it is so deep-seated in mysticism that it is virtually imposible to separate the benefits of it (just stretching) from the occultic aspects. If you're just after good stretches, I would recommend a Christian try something far simpler. There are lots of stretching exercises and routines out there that are effective and have nothing to do with Yoga at all.I myself am an instructor in Martial Arts, and as an earlier poster mentioned, aside from bows of respect to the students (and they to me), there's nothing mythical about it. I'm teaching the boys self-defense and discipline, and giving them a good work out while we're at it. During our church's Fall/Spring program Baptist Boys Batallion I am often invited for three or four weeks to show the boys in the club some moves and teach them a thing or two. Again, I keep it free of the eastern junk, in fact I don't know anythinga bout that stuff...in all the forms and years that I've studied, it was never involved in the slightest.
Here's an article/book review which I found today concerning yoga and other types of "spirituality" creeping into the church.........http://www.emediawire.com/releases/2005/2/emw212621.htm
To be honest, Angyl, I am surprised to hear that you instruct martial arts. I do not see the difference, but only another expression of the same facet. It is difficult to tell someone not to do Yoga because of it's religious influence when martial arts comes from the same line. We already said that doing Yoga even apart from the religious garb was dangerous... is this not any different? Perhaps you could post something about this.Also, on another note, is it right for Christians to learn combat? Don't get me wrong, a Christian should not be a coward, but remember: The weapons of our warfare are not carnal but they are mighty in the Holy Ghost. To be honest, I haven't given too much thought on this subject. Let's talk about this.This is going to get interesting...
Also, on another note, is it right for Christians to learn combat? Don't get me wrong, a Christian should not be a coward, but remember: The weapons of our warfare are not carnal but they are mighty in the Holy Ghost. To be honest, I haven't given too much thought on this subject. Let's talk about this.Ask King David. Ask Joshua.There is such a thing as a just war, and as such I see no problem with believers being trained in the military for combat. Police officers are trained to kill if need be. Would that be wrong? Obviously not. Hitler needed to be dealt with... was it wrong to take him out? No... in fact, what happened to the Jews in WWII, and the end result of that war ushered in an era of fulfilled Biblical prophecy like no other since the 1st century AD.Vietnam is questionable. My issue with that war was that our goal was not to win.Of course... I am biased. I was a Marine, altho it was before I was saved. I was in Kuwait back in the first Gulf War. I've been in combat. I would do it again to protect my family, my country, and to protect those around the world who are being oppressed by people like Saddam Hussein. I dont believe we should be the world's police force, but when we know citizens are being raped and murdered by their "leaders" (such as what was happening in Iraq) then we need to do something. If we dont, then we are partakers of that evil.If someone feels different, thats ok... dont join the military. It's not for you.Krispy
It is difficult to tell someone not to do Yoga because of it's religious influence when martial arts comes from the same line...Also, on another note, is it right for Christians to learn combat?"Thems fightin' words! ;-) Not to pre-empt Angyl who might have more to say on the subject...I do see a difference between Yoga and Karate. The moment you strain out all of the "inner health" mysticism from yoga you are left with only stretching. In other words, I think yoga is inseparable from it's philosophic purpose of making the individual spirit one with the universal spirit.Karate on the other hand, (at least the kind taught at our YMCA) is essentially physical training. A Christians weapons are not carnal, but Karate is not just a weapon. It is a goal orientated activity to build character and accomplishment. There is sparring but only to build confidence. I'll be honest about this issue. We had a recent situation for a couple of weeks, where my son who is average size for his age, was being bullied by two boys at school. One day one of these boys started jabbing him with a pencil. Well, after my son took control of this fellows arm and put him on hard on the ground, the problem ended. These youngsters don't pick on my son anymore.Is this Christlike behavior, like I want in my son? It's a hard issue for me. We fathers try to teach our sons to be meek like Christ, which I find means different things to men then it does women. One day the Holy Spirit will help my son understand meekness. Untill that day comes, I do not want my son being afraid to fight off bullies. Meekness is the strength not to fight. Fear only hinders a proper understanding of this.I am curious to see what others think...MC
Is this Christlike behavior, like I want in my son? It's a hard issue for me. We fathers try to teach our sons to be meek like Christ, which I find means different things to men then it does women. One day the Holy Spirit will help my son understand meekness. Untill that day comes, I do not want my son being afraid to fight off bullies. Meekness is the strength not to fight. Fear only hinders a proper understanding of this.We define meekness as weakness in todays society.This is how Webster defines it:1. "enduring injury with patience and without resentment"2. "deficient in spirit and courage"3. "not violent or strong"Jesus was strong in spirit, and He "grew in stature", so I think we can eliminate #3. He was not deficient in spirit or courage, so we can eliminate #2."Enduring injury with patience and without resentment" seems to go along with Jesus teachings about how we are to deal with our fellow man. Jesus was very tender and loving when dealing with those who were genuinely seeking answers from Him.But was Jesus meek when He over turned the table and chased out the money changers? Was Jesus meek when He confronted the religious leaders? Was Paul meek when he wrote a looong scathing letter to the Corinthians?But see, when it came to people mistreating Christ, He "endured injury with patience and without resentment".However, when it came to His Father, His Father's house, and His Father's people... Jesus was anything but meek. He was down right confrontational.No where in the Word of God does it suggest to me that if someone breaks into my house and threatens my family that I should just sit back and let them do what they want to my wife, or harm my children.In fact, I would say that a man who does not protect his family is no man at all.Krispy
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