Christian Yoga
Posted on May 3rd, 2008 by David Mackin into the David Mackin Writes:, Other Religions category
A couple of months ago I heard the following on the Christian radio station 1330 AM (Portland, OR):
~Christians should not be involved with practicing Yoga. There really should not be a “Christian” version of Yoga practiced in the churches. Not only could Christians be affected by the pagan spirits behind this ancient art, God would not be pleased for Christians to put their bodies into postures that are used in India and other pagan countries as postures to worship their gods and goddesses.~
When I heard this, I felt sorry for the speakers. Little doubt, they thought that they were warning God’s people from a spiritual danger that might hurt their walk with God. Instead, what I heard was a very ignorant form of religious legalism.
The ancient Babylonians used to raise their hands to their chief god, Marduk, and his consort Sarpanitu just like the ancient Israelites used to lift their hands to praise their God, Yahweh. Because the Israelites used the same bodily expression, as did these idol-worshippers, does it mean that they were worshipping Marduk instead of Yahweh?
In ancient pagan fertility rites that involved sacred prostitution, it would be very reasonable to surmise that the priests and priestesses who copulated in the pagan temples with the belief that thereby they would be guaranteeing good harvests that year for their people, were using the same bodily positions that Spirit-filled couples use to consummate their godly marriage vows. Do such similar bodily postures relating to sexuality mean that Christian couples are performing acts of sacred prostitution when they make love?
The fact that Christians who practice Yoga for exercise might be putting their bodies into the same bodily postures as pagan worshippers, in my view, does not mean that Christians are worshipping the same gods or that there is an evil spirit involved in certain bodily positions. God looks upon the position of the heart - not the position of the body.
If well-intentioned ministers want to warn believers of the spiritual dangers of the Orient, they need to dig much deeper. One might be amazed at how a few good Yoga exercises would go a long ways in helping the over-weight preachers we see on cable TV every day to lose a few pounds and thus be a better testimony of the Christian faith – a faith that holds that the physical body is a temple of the Holy Spirit - no matter what form it takes.
RSS feed for posts
May 3rd, 2008 at 7:42 pm
Hi David,
You could not have said it better.
Absolutley right.
There are guys who know nothing and yet pontificate.
Yoga is yoga - a discipline.
There is no Christian yoga and nor a Hindu yoga…
Our pastors in the west and who gimmick them in the east
ought to do more home work… I mean study.
CM Paul, Kolkata
May 3rd, 2008 at 9:05 pm
I practice yoga. In fact, I use it to focus on God. I meditate, pray on the scriptures while doing the poses. How can demons influence me when I’m praying scriptures and using the name of Jesus?
As for the radio message, I’ll say that there is some truth to it. There are many styles of yoga. Some styles of yoga are mainly spiritual and focused on removing resistance so that you can be one with nature and the universe. (That is reflective of pantheistic worldview) I will say that there are certain yoga teachers that incorporate pagan spirituality in their yoga practices (consistent to their personal beliefs). I used to be into witchcraft. I used to take a class where she would incorporate New Ageism and pagan ideas such as emptying and becoming one with spiritual forces etc… Before I became a Christian, I was heavily into witchcraft. Demonic spirits are real. Why live in fear? It’s up to each individual christian to read the Bible and use discernment and knowledge. And some Christians may not feel comfortable. For a while I didnt because I used to be a pagan. If a Christian doesnt, we should respect their views. That goes both ways.
He may or may not have understanding of yoga. His response is what I don’t agree with.
As for yoga, I read about Hinduism, Eastern religions, practice of yoga and Christian yoga. If a Christian practices yoga while focusing on God with a Christian worldview and approach, and if a person grows closer to Jesus while doing yoga it should be fine. I had back problems and aches. It does wonders for that.
Interesting, I had a conversation about this. While discussing this with a non-Christian, she said, “Take the bread & wine, for Christians it always means communion. In a church it means worshipping Christian God. But if a non-Christian is having a glass of wine and bread during dinner, it doesnt mean anything to that person. Saying yoga is always related to hinduism is like saying that anyone who happens to have bread and wine is worshipping the Christian God.”
May 4th, 2008 at 5:48 am
Where does birthing the harvest fit into this? I’ve even seen some men do it. Certainly yoga can’t be more questionable then that.
May 4th, 2008 at 5:51 am
sola, what do you mean by “birthing the harvest?”
May 4th, 2008 at 4:15 pm
This reminds me of the way Christians used to view certain forms of music as being evil because it’s heavy beat was reminince of tribal dances… blah blah blah. Do they still beleive that too?
May 4th, 2008 at 7:42 pm
Oh sit down for this one Dave. You see, back in the day, during the Eternity plays, the intercessors would get into a crazed frenzy and start “birthing” in the prayer room underneath dorm 2 and in the choir room behind the stage during the actual plays. And by “birthing” I mean that one intercessor would lay on their back and breath heavily with their legs spread, while others would comfort them and fan them. The intercessor in “labor” would suffer labor pains and groan loudly, while the rest of the room would intercede for the harvest usually by speaking in tongues and fanning the person that was suffering the labor pains. It became known as “birthing the harvest.” Usually the women did this, but soon some men began doing it as well. Look, I’m not necessarily even putting this down, though I’ve never done it. It just seems like yoga is pretty docile when you compare it with that.
May 4th, 2008 at 10:52 pm
Wow. If that’s true, then I really have no response to that other than a stream of expletives.
HOLY #$%$.
May 5th, 2008 at 5:59 am
Oh it’s true alright. The guys in dorm two who’s rooms were directly above the prayer room had a difficult time sleeping at night due to all the noise. Those in spiritual labor would be groaning and screaming in pain directly below them. This would go on sometimes as late as midnight. It was quite the circus actually.
May 5th, 2008 at 10:00 am
You’re right David, legalism at its finest. This is just like Christians should not watch R-rated movies or listen to secular music. I even had a friend tell me that they do not like hanging out at Venice Beach (in Southern California) because of the spirit of evil that exists there. They said they would not want to catch anything…??
You know the problem with all this kind of Christian garbally goop is that it creates this hyper-spiritual state of living and puts a box around God’s reign over our lives. These people are saying that by doing these yoga poses or listening to secular music or hanging out with non-believers God will be unable to protect them from evil spirits invading one’s life…I mean really? Anyone who believes that God is unable to protect them from evil needs to go back and read their Bible. Christians should live in peace and calm knowing that every hair on their head is numbered and they are completely protected. I believe there is not enough true faith in the Christian community today.
May 5th, 2008 at 8:26 pm
This is way off topic…but since legalism is brought up, I thought why not
I didn’t know where else to post this so that’s why it is here. I know this may sound like a trivial question but I’m taking a poll and there’s a reason behind it. Here it is…
Should Christian women wear bikinis? Why or why not?
I’m not going to look down on others because it’s really a personal conviction but this is how I interpret modesty. I don’t want to look like the woman that is trying to get attention by wearing immodest, provocative clothes. Yes, I’ve always been told that guys are visual creatures and can stumble over a woman in a bikini. How true is that? Should women stick to tankinis or one-piece swimsuits? What are your thoughts?
May 6th, 2008 at 9:20 am
Again, here is another issue that makes no difference in the Kingdom of God. Wear what you want to wear girl and don’t buy into that mumbo jumbo that you will make a guy stumble. My wife got blasted once for taking me into a Victoria Secret store because she was “causing me to stumble.” What a joke. They don’t know what does and doesn’t make me stumble. The only people who say this kind of stuff are those that are uncomfortable in their own skin and more concerned about there “spiritual” image then actually pleasing God. The way you know someone’s heart is by finding out what they do when know one else is around. I can’t tell you how many women my wife knew that would wear one piece suits around church people and church related functions, but once they went on vacation away from church folks the two piece came right out without hesitation.
All things like this should be looked at the same way. There are black and white issues - don’t kill, don’t sleep around, don’t lie/cheat/steal, etc. and there are grey issues - what to wear, what to drink, what to watch, etc. Set your own standards for the grey issues based on YOU and what you think God wants for YOUR life. Don’t worry about image or what anyone else thinks, because if you follow that standard you are taking God out of the equation and just trying to please man. When we do things based on worrying about what others will think of us we live in legalism.
May 6th, 2008 at 9:33 am
Dang. Just about the time I think my memory is healed you have to go and remind me of another embarrassing episode. Ha! I’m happy to say I wasn’t one of the birthers but I looked on while our pastor’s older daughter did it. gads.
May 6th, 2008 at 9:48 am
So very true David. You raise a good point. And why ARE so many of these ministers fat?
May 6th, 2008 at 11:09 am
Ok, I see that I will be the lone voice that chooses not to participate in yoga. Oh well. I’m used to being cross-current.
The reason I would not take yoga is because it is part of another belief system. And I choose not to participate in the practices of another belief system. Now this is not a case of “Buddhists eat rice, therefore rice is nonChristian and I won’t eat it.”
To me, it is like the “food offered to idols” debate in the NT. That discussion was also over participating in rituals of other religions. It was not about food — because food is food. But about the religious and covenant practices of idol-worship.
Likewise, exercise is exercise. But since I know the origins and practices of yoga as it relates to hinduism, then for me, it’s against my personal conscience to practice it.
So in this case, I think it’s fair to say let each be led by his/her own conscience without reproach from others.
May 6th, 2008 at 11:18 am
Indeed.
May 6th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
Thanks for your thoughts Ex. I was just curious and really wondered. I’m not a male so I don’t know. Abotu grey areas, where would you draw the line? For instance, would you say the same thing about a Christian woman that decides to work as a stripper for few extra bucks. Sometime back, someone posted on this blog about a Christian TV show that portrayed a stripper that gave her life to Jesus. The guy wrote on the blog that Christian TV show shouldnt show that because it made me stumble. For curiousity, i looked at it and I didnt think it was that bad. It was only a minute and they showed a woman in a bra and skirt walking around in a room with red lights and ogling guys. To me it wasnt different from a woman in a bikini or a bra ad.
It would be no issue for me if I wore a moderate or average 2 piece. I’m not at all comfortable in a very skimpy teeny tiny bikini. I guess it’s all about intentions. I don’t want to look like I’m desperate for male attention. Even when I was a non-Christian I thought that showed insecurity.
It depends on culture too. For instance, I wouldnt wear a 2 piece in some countries.
May 6th, 2008 at 1:11 pm
How you carry yourself and your demeanor can have a lot to do with it. I am, um, well endowed on the top end…as some would say. It is impossible to not notice. But there is nothing I can do about it. I dress pretty modestly because I don’t care to show anything off…but I think the way that I dress is only half of it. My attitude and demeanor make up the rest of my modesty. And just to be clear, my desire to be modest has little to do with the morality of men. They are gonna have sex on the brain no matter what — even the best of them. And I promise I don’t mean that as a slam and I don’t think of any man badly because of it…it’s just the way it is. My “modesty” is more about me being protective of my body. It’s MINE and I choose who I share it with. Or don’t share it with.
May 6th, 2008 at 1:57 pm
I’m wondering maybe differences between men and women arent that different as some exagerate it to be. For instance, recently I saw my neighbor doing yardwork and that too shirtless. And yes, he’s umm handsome and has a six pack and well built. He’s a personal trainer at a gym/athlete. I was attracted to him for a short time. It’s because it’s instinctive for a physically attractive man to catch my attention. However, i don’t want to date him or desire him. He’s a nice guy and all but i don’t want him. I’ve talked to him and hung out with him with a group but he’s just another guy to me. (If I mentioned this to Glenda Malmin I’d be in a counseling session because what i just mentioned isn’t reflective of supposed femininity or that I have to be this naive, gullible, nit wit)
I find it hard to believe that all guys have the tendency to be sex fiends that lust after every woman they see. And average women are Martha Stewart clones that get their satisfaction from cooking, motherhood, kids etc… I heard people say that men are driven by physical sex alone but women arent primarily motivated by that but would want the house in the suburbs, family etc. This is more reflective of Victorian mindset and western culture, and part of conservative American suburban culture. However, that is preached from many pulpits as though it’s the truth. I hate it when there’s an expected mold of what men and women are supposed to be. Not everyone fits it.
Gosh, I can thank Glenda Malmin’s social roles & relationships for making me confused about male-female relationships and human sexuality in general.
Then again, I’m not exactly covergirl material. I have imperfections, including a surgery scar on the side of my waist and I doubt that would cause anyone to stumble
Good points, keep it going.
May 6th, 2008 at 3:16 pm
I don’t mean to say that all men are sex fiends — I definitely don’t think that. But their bodies react to visual stimuli in a way that is more…noticeable? Maybe not to everyone, but they are aware of it.
My boyfriend put it like this: it’s like having your hand in a bucket of unknown objects — some feel nice and some not so nice…but there is always some sort of sensation. Women don’t have that.
You can look at it any way you want: maybe they are programmed that way, maybe they are just use to it from being that way their entire lives…but they are going to have some sort of reaction to the female form whether covered or not (if they are hetero) — how much reaction depends on many things. I don’t feel super qualified to talk in depth on this since I am a woman. I just think it is unrealistic and rigid to deny that men are going to react to women sexually. It doesn’t make them bad people — it’s a part of who they are as hetero men.
May 6th, 2008 at 3:22 pm
I think this is a complex issue — I don’t mean to oversimplify…I just don’t want to be too wordy. Sometimes a stereotype is a stereotype for a reason — because at one point in history it was true and may still be true today. That doesn’t mean that it is good…and sometimes the best thing is to defy that stereotype and allow for the possibility for something else…something new.
May 6th, 2008 at 4:09 pm
Nina asks: Should Christian women wear bikinis? Why or why not?
Nina, Here is my two cents for your poll:
I would not be so quick as to conclude with Ex city bible slave that “here is another issue that makes no difference in the Kingdom of God.”
Paul says, “Do not use your liberty for an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another” (Galatians 5:13). Others have brought up the question of limits and audience. These are valid points. Would it make a difference in the kingdom of God if a woman went topless around the pool or just wore a thong (when she was alone?); or went bra-less to the office, or wore a bare midriff to show off her thin waist, etc. My point is not to make a list of rules but modesty and discretion are principles in the kingdom of God (I Timothy 2:9).
Ex-city bible slave writes, “When we do things based on worrying about what others will think of us we live in legalism.” In my view, this statement is partly true and partly false. As it stands, the statement is not completely true because it flies in the face of the words of the apostle Paul who writes:
1-“Not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself…” Romans 14:7a
2-“…rather determine this – not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother’s way.” Romans 14:13b
3-“Therefore do not let what is for you a good thing be spoken of as evil…” Romans 14:16
4-“It is good not to eat meat or to drink wine, or to do anything by which your brother stumbles.” Romans 14:21
I have been a swimmer most of my life. I enjoy racing others to the end of the pool and looking lean and sleek in my swimming suit (those were the days!). One year I bought a racing suit like one would see worn by the men swimming in the Olympics. That year my wife, at least one of my biological sisters, as well as my daughter, stated in so many words that they did not like me wearing something so small and tight. Even though I enjoyed the feeling in and around the water that such a suit gave me, I went out and bought another one that was more bulky and modest because I did not want unnecessarily to offend those I loved.
May 7th, 2008 at 12:04 pm
Man, what a simple, yet complex question! Should you wear a bikini? Well, points to ponder:
1. If you’re even remotely hot and I’m a typical man (or worse yet, a repressed christian who’s been sheltered underneath some of this sexually confusing ideology)…then heck yeah I’m going to be visually stimulated! Shoot, even if you’re not all that hot it’s probable I could get turned on. But…
A. Part of that is on me for not refraining my eyes from temptation.
B. Part of that is on you for being a stumbling block.
I could be wrong, and I’m not trying to slam anybody, but sometimes I think we throw out the “do what you want to do, cause you can’t be responsible for others’ actions” card because we enjoy not having to be responsible and actually limiting our own actions.
That said…
If I’m the guy I mentioned above, I’m probably going to be stimulated by you in a one-piece too. Or nice jeans and a blouse. Or a skirt and fitted sweater. You know what I mean? What are you to do…wear a sackclothe everywhere?
So now I’ve come full circle and gone nowhere at the same time! How about… “Use common sense.” Heck, start by doing something most women don’t do…buy a swimsuit (one or two-piece) that actually FITS your body the right way! Understand the situation you’re involving yourself in. If it’s your home group’s summer bbq and there’s a pool there, best not to rock it with a string bikini! If it’s you and the girls at the lake cabin, work what you feel comfortable in. If some dudes show up, hop out and put on something more modest.
For what it’s worth…I struggled with this “type” of question my whole life. Because I grew up at BT yet never understood the stance against rock music (christian no less), drinking (occasionally), R-rated movies, long hair (hey, it was the 80’s!), and so on.
I mean, when does legalism overrun accountability?
Guess I’ll go ponder that over some Christian Yoga!!
May 7th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
Thanks for your views. I was curious about the guys POV. I decided to use “common sense” and buy the average. Yes, the male mind is hard to understand. I wondered if guys are really visual.
Now a days some of the one pieces are so low cut and even more immodest than one pieces. I decided it depends on the cut and style. No stringy or teeny tops for me. I’m not going to get those that overexpose the breasts. It seems in our culture there is an obsession with breasts.
I got a two-piece that’s not too low-cut. Its a bandeau style top - which means its almost like wearing a short tube top, the top cuts straight across my chest and hides my cleavage. As for coverage I thought cleavage would be more seductive than my waist. As for the bottom, its more moderate and I made sure it covered my back and front. I thought that would be safe. Or I could always get a cover up scarf that I could wear around my waist for more coverage.
Or then there’s a tankini - in between a one-piece and bikini.
May 7th, 2008 at 2:25 pm
I think you’re on the right track, Nina.
But that’s just my opinion and I definitely don’t consider myself to be an “average” male. I grew up under the BT regime, and I was a virgin ’til I was nearly 30! Didn’t even kiss a girl until just before that same time. You want to talk about repressed!!
But I won’t apologize for being a man now-a-days. You want someone that will lift heavy things for you, punch another dude in the face for you, fix things that need fixin’ for you, be a hard-worker that will bear a major weight of family responsibility for you…then you better be ready for the fact that I likes me my football, I get jacked up on testosterone from time to time, and unfortunately, I’m wired the way I’m wired (visually stimulated!).
I don’t use it as an excuse to run around oogling the girlies, but just like everything else in life it takes discipline to use restraint. I’m always glad to find women that realize it just is what it is. This country is ALL messed up in that fact now-a-days!
May 7th, 2008 at 2:47 pm
Taking your clothes off for money (which is purley seuxally based) and wearing a bikini at the pool (which is simply a personal preference) seem like two drastically different things. It really annoys me when Christains compare extreme opposits for the sake of making an argument. It’s an uneducated approach. There is a moral compass for anyone serving Christ and I would venture to say that someone truly serving Him would be able to decifer between these two things.
Although, I appreciate your use of scripture, I will respectfully disagree. We are talking bout a bikini here. I know many of the people on here have had a certain belief system beat into their minds for a number of years so they are used to debating very insignificant issues for the sake of morality and being a “good” Christian, so I won’t hold it against anyone, but I stand by what I say and find it a waste of time to go back and forth about something as minuscule as this. And as a side note, one should always consider the culture and the times when interpreting these things. For instance, in Europe women going topless on the beach is an acceptable practice, and in some places in Africa the women never wear tops because that’s what their cultures do. I doubt God is displeased with their dress when that’s all they no. Unless someone can give me a truth beyond the typical Christian lingo I don’t see a problem with this.
When you judge people and questions their walk with Christ based on your own personal standards of “good” and “bad.” The fact that we even label people as “good” or “bad” Christians annoys the heck out of me. I mean didn’t Christ die for us all while we were and still are sinners? Our human nature has not changed, but our spiritual standing has. A life lived under grace recognizes that we are a wicked sinful and evil people while simultaneously pure and holy in God’s eyes. We are justified by Christ death and sanctified by His life. Wasting time on these little issues is just another method of the evil forces that be detracting us from the truth of Christ.