Is Yoga Just Exercise?

Many Christians “exercise” using some form or another of yoga in their health regimen at the local health club, outdoors, or in their own homes, and even at church facilities. But is yoga just exercise and healthy stretching? Is it for the Christian?

BACKGROUND

Yoga was introduced to the western world by the first yoga master of India, Parmahansa Yogananda (1893-1952).

Yogananda took up residence in the West, to travel on his “spiritual campaigns” and to bring his teachings throughout the western world.

In its application, yoga historically is trick, charm, fraud and incantation.

The idea of yoga can be traced all the way back to Canaan, Samaria, and Mesopotamia in practice.

TEACHINGS AND PRACTICES

Traditionally, yoga poses are poses of worship to a Hindu deity, known as Shiva. Among the many popular poses are: bowing to the sun and moon, the upward salute, the mountain pose, the downward dog, as well as the goddess and triangle poses. Stretching is healthy, and there are many ways to stretch that can be done without involving a yoga pose.

Yoga also means to yoke, and it is to connect to the spirit of Brahma.

Yoga is a main component of Hinduism and is a group of physical, mental and spiritual practices originating from ancient India, which includes tantra. This is a belief that the refined potential of every human being is divine; therefore in tantra, the whole person is accepted as divine.

At its core, classical tantra teaches that the material world and divine consciousness are inseparably united, including meditation, visualizations, mantra recitation, and ritual. The idea of embodiment.

Another component to yoga is pranayama, which is a cornerstone of yoga practice that focuses on the control and expansion of prana, of life force, through the breath. The guided and focused breathing is the bridge between the physical and spiritual realms.

Instructors of yoga may call themselves a yogi (male), or yogini (female), or they may just incorporate the practice in regular fitness classes.

Some objects you may see in their practices and decor are crystals, mandalas, and Gaia artwork.

Crystals in many forms are used for elements of cleansing and positive energy into one’s space. They can be used to enhance relaxation and positive affirmations, which align with the principles of hypnobirthing, into which yoga has been expanded.

Mandalas, meaning circle in Sanskrit, have a geometric configuration of symbols. In various spiritual traditions, mandalas may be employed for focusing as a spiritual guidance tool, establishing a sacred space and as an aid to meditation and trance induction.

In the Eastern religions of Hinduism, Buddhism, and others, it is a symbolic diagram and is used in sacred rites and as a map representing deities.

The circle also represents the universe and the spiritual journey of life.

“The third eye” on most mandala designs and objects are indicative of the deity of Shiva.

Traditional yoga is centered around Pantheism: God is the universe, everything you see is God.

Traditional yoga also is centered around Panentheism: God in all, but also all in God.

Other objects of worship used in yoga are Gaia related. Gaia is an earth-centered philosophical, holistic, and spiritual belief that shares expressions with earth religions and paganism while not identifying exclusively with any specific one.The rejection of patriarchal religion is accompanied by a call to worship the goddess of nature, the earth, one of whose names is Gaia, and others, Mother Earth, mother goddess, Queen of Heaven, and paganism from biblical accounts, such as Ashtoreth and (fertility goddess) Ishtar.

Please CONSIDER

It’s important for us all to consider these foundations of yoga in light of the Bible’s teaching against idolatry, and Satan’s age-old tactics to deceive:

“Then the serpent said to the woman, ‘You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.’” Genesis 3:4-5

Satan is no fool; he is a schemer and strategist, using subtlety and deception to accomplish his goals since the creation of mankind.

“There is none righteous, no, not one.” Romans 3:10

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9

Salvation [and healing] are found in no one [or anything] else but Jesus Christ. (Acts 4:12).

Call upon Him today. Jesus Christ is the only Truth and Way to eternal life. He died in your place (for your sins that separate you from God), so you may have eternal life.

Applicable scripture

Jeremiah 7:18, 44:17-25; Deuteronomy 16:21, 1 Kings 15:13; 2 Chronicles 15:12; Exodus 20:3-5; Romans 1:25; 2 Chronicles 24:18; 2 Kings 16:2-4; 2 Kings 15:4; Genesis 3:1; 2 Corinthians 11:3-4

Sources

-Anandaindia.org

-Dr. Alana Arguello, PHD, “Unearthing Yoga’s Ancient Roots: Exploring Sorcery and It’s Transcultural Reach”

-Doreen Virtue ex yogini; “Yoga and Spiritual Warfare”

-artincontext.org

-The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica

-charmsoflight.com

-mindfulsouls.com

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