Can Yoga Ever Be Christian?

 

This is a topic that I would usually address on my other blog-- Be Strong and Courageous; but since I posted my review of My Stubborn Heart by Becky Wade here. I thought that it would be best to write my response to a comment that was left on Amazon when I posted the review there. Please know that I am posting this out of love, and in obedience to my LORD and Savior Jesus Christ.  I pray that as you will read this article that you will understand how GOD feels about yoga, and help you to make an informed decision about where you stand on this issue and let HIS Spirit lead you.

After researching so that I could present my position on Yoga well, I decided to share an article posted over at Sola Sisters. Here is part of the article you will be able to read the rest of the article on their website.

 

Christ in Prophecy is a ministry of Lamb Lion Ministries

This recent YouTube video with Caryl Matrisciana on the dangers of yoga is both sobering and informative, and explains why Christians should not attempt to "blend" their worship of God with the pagan practices of Hinduism.  This is a very timely issue right now, given that a Hollywood movie starring Julia Roberts (Eat, Pray, Love) is about to be released and will be presenting a glowing cinematic portrayal of a sanitized, Americanized version of Hinduism.

Yoga is the salvific practice of Hinduism; in other words, it is the Hindu form of "salvation." But Hindus have no concept of sin against a holy God....instead, it teaches that man's greatest problem is his ignorance that he is "God" (or Brahman). Obviously, this is very different from the Christian understanding of what salvation is: Jesus's atoning death for the forgiveness of sins, and being made right with a holy God.

Just a few more reasons why yoga cannot be separated from its occultic origins are:

(1) The mantra meditation lowers mental barriers and opens one up to the demonic realm (though it often doesn't "feel" demonic at first...it feels "good" and "spiritual".....even holy);

(2) The yoga positions themselves are all prayer postures designed to honor one of the millions of hindu gods;

(3) The yoga positions themselves are not only for the purpose of honoring and worshiping Hindu gods, but they are done in a very specific order for the purpose of aligning and opening up the"chakra" system.  It is believed that this alignment will not only enable one to meditate more deeply, but will also awaken something called "kundalini," also known as "serpent power." In the yoga tradition, it is believed that a "serpent" lies coiled and sleeping at the base of the spine until it is "awakened" and begins to uncoil, slowly moving its way up the spine, and allowing the practitioner deeper meditation and union with "Brahman."

Continue Reading the Article Here

I hope this article helps you to see that yoga could be a very slippery slope that could lead you where you don’t want to go. My prayer is that you will consider what Caryl Matrisciana and the Sola Sisters have so lovingly presented. If you want to have a civil discussion please leave a comment. Also, if you would like to know how to become a Christian please ask and I’ll be glad to talk to you and lead you to salvation using Bible verses.

Blessings,