A few decades ago, Yoga swept through the West, a popular exercise and stress relief for old and young. Since it came from eastern mysticism, Christians had different reactions to yoga’s rise, as we expect. Some rejected it completely. Others fully accepted without any adjustments. A few churches adapted the practice with “holy yoga” groups.
With a deeper look into yoga and the biblical testimony, how should Christians view yoga?
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What Is the History of Yoga?
Yoga originated in ancient India. The earliest references to it are found in the Rig Veda, one of Hinduism’s oldest sacred texts. At this time, yoga was primarily a spiritual discipline used by Vedic priests and ascetics to deepen their meditation practices and connect with the divine.
During the Pre-Classical Period, yoga began to take on more defined practices and philosophies. The Bhagavad Gita also elaborated on yoga, describing it as a means to achieve spiritual wisdom and self-realization, seeing the emergence of new forms. The Yoga Sutras by Patanjali, around 400 AD, mark the Classical Period. This period established a structured framework for yoga practice, emphasizing mental discipline and ethical living.
During the Post-Classical Period, various schools of yoga emerged, focusing on physical practices and techniques to rejuvenate the body and prolong life. Hatha Yoga, which emphasizes physical postures and breathing exercises, was developed during this time.
Yoga's journey to the West began in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Swami Vivekananda, a prominent Indian monk, played a crucial role in introducing yoga to the United States. In 1893, he spoke at the Parliament of the World’s Religions in Chicago, captivating audiences with his Hindu philosophy and yoga teachings. His lectures and writings helped spark interest in yoga and Eastern spirituality.
The spread of yoga in the US gained momentum in the mid-20th century. Pioneering teachers like Indra Devi, who opened one of the first yoga studios in Hollywood in 1947, and B.K.S. Iyengar, whose book “Light on Yoga” (1966) became a global bestseller, significantly influenced the Western understanding and practice of yoga. In the 1960s and 1970s, the counterculture movement further popularized yoga in the United States. Yoga became associated with holistic health, spirituality, and personal growth.
By the late 20th century and into the 21st century, yoga had evolved into a mainstream practice in the United States, encompassing a variety of styles such as Vinyasa, Bikram, and Ashtanga. Today, yoga is widely practiced for its physical, mental, and spiritual benefits, with millions of practitioners and thousands of yoga studios nationwide.
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How Is Yoga Connected to Spirituality?
At its core, yoga is not just a physical practice but a comprehensive spiritual discipline aimed at uniting the body, mind, and spirit.
The Vedas contain hymns and rituals that hint at early yoga practices. The Upanishads, philosophical texts that followed the Vedas, elaborate on meditation and the nature of the self, introducing concepts like karma (action), dharma (duty), and the ultimate goal of union with the divine.
The Bhagavad Gita, a key text in Hindu philosophy, presents yoga as a multifaceted path to spiritual realization, detailing different types of yoga: Karma Yoga (the yoga of action), Bhakti Yoga (the yoga of devotion), and Jnana Yoga (the yoga of knowledge). These paths emphasize different aspects of spiritual practice but ultimately aim to achieve union with God.
Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, compiled around 400 CE, systematized yoga into an eight-limbed path known as Ashtanga Yoga. These limbs include ethical precepts (yamas and niyamas), physical postures (asanas), breath control (pranayama), sensory withdrawal (pratyahara), concentration (dharana), meditation (dhyana), and ultimately, spiritual absorption (samadhi). This comprehensive framework provides a spiritual roadmap for practitioners, emphasizing inner discipline and the cultivation of a peaceful mind.
Buddhism also has significant connections to yoga, particularly through meditation practices. The Buddha, who was influenced by existing yogic traditions, incorporated meditative techniques into his teachings. Buddhist yoga focuses on mindfulness, concentration, and the development of insight (vipassana) to attain enlightenment (nirvana). The Eightfold Path, central to Buddhist practice, parallels many of the ethical and meditative principles found in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras.
Jainism, another ancient Indian religion, incorporates yoga into its spiritual practices. Jain yoga emphasizes strict ethical conduct, self-discipline, and asceticism. The ultimate goal in Jainism is to liberate the soul from the cycle of rebirth (samsara) through practices that purify the mind and body.
In contemporary times, many see yoga as a path to personal growth, inner peace, and self-realization. Modern yoga practices, while sometimes focusing heavily on the physical aspects, still carry the essence of these ancient spiritual traditions. Practices like mindfulness meditation, pranayama (breath control), and the philosophical teachings of yoga encourage practitioners to cultivate a deeper awareness and connection to their inner selves.
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What Bible Verses Relate to Practicing Yoga?
While the Bible doesn’t address yoga specifically, Scripture addresses spiritual practices from other religions in various contexts, often emphasizing the importance of faithfulness to God and cautioning against adopting practices that contradict biblical teachings. In Deuteronomy 18:9-12, God instructs the Israelites:
“When you enter the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not learn to imitate the detestable ways of the nations there. Let no one be found among you who sacrifices their son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord.”
Here, God clearly wars against adopting spiritual practices from surrounding nations, particularly those involving occult activities. It underscores the need for the Israelites to remain faithful to God and avoid practices that are contrary to his commands. The Apostle Paul addresses the issue of participating in pagan practices in 1 Corinthians 10:20-21:
“No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons, too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord’s table and the table of demons.”
Paul’s warning highlights the spiritual dangers of engaging in practices associated with other religions. In Acts 17:22-23, Paul addresses the people of Athens:
“Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: ‘People of Athens! I see that in every way, you are very religious. For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: to an unknown god. So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship—and this is what I am going to proclaim to you.’”
While acknowledging the Athenians’ religious practices, Paul uses the opportunity to introduce them to the true God. Paul exemplifies understanding and respectfully engaging with other religious beliefs while proclaiming the message of Christianity.
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Should Christians Engage in Yoga?
Yoga clearly has an ancient connection to spiritual practices that are not conducive to following Jesus. One main point to remember regards the biblical idea of mediation. Biblical meditation focuses on contemplating the Word of God and his character, a form of worship. It involves intentionally reflecting on Scripture, seeking to understand and apply its truths to one’s life. This practice often includes prayer, memorization, and a deep, thoughtful engagement with God’s teachings. The goal is to draw closer to God, align one’s thoughts with his will, and cultivate spiritual growth.
In contrast, Eastern yoga meditation emphasizes emptying the mind, achieving inner peace, and connecting with a universal consciousness. It often involves specific postures, breathing techniques, and mantras to reach a state of mental clarity and transcendence. The focus is on personal enlightenment and unity with the universe.
At the same time, Christians also have a long history of taking various cultural elements and redefining and redeeming them. Looking at examples from Patrick in Ireland to modern Christian rock music, just because a certain activity is associated with idolatry or evil doesn’t mean it can’t be redeemed or adjusted through the born again to reflect the universal Gospel of Christ.
Yoga offers numerous physical benefits that can enhance well-being, including improved flexibility, strength, balance, and stress relief. Similar to martial arts, also deeply connected to Eastern mysticism, Christians can participate in yoga classes that emphasize physical practice rather than spiritual or philosophical teachings. By concentrating on the health benefits, Christians can use yoga as a tool to care for their bodies, which they view as temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
Avoiding the spiritual elements involves avoiding yoga styles and classes that incorporate chanting. Meditation focused on Hindu deities or spiritual teachings contrary to Christian beliefs. Instead, Christians can seek out instructors and studios that respect their desire to focus solely on the physical aspects of yoga. Alternatively, they can practice yoga at home using resources that align with their values.
To ensure that their yoga practice remains aligned with their faith, Christians can incorporate prayer, worship, and biblical meditation into their routines. For example, they can begin and end yoga sessions with prayer, asking God for guidance, protection, and the ability to honor Him through their practice. During the yoga session, they can meditate on Bible verses or reflect on God’s attributes, using the time to deepen their spiritual connection while engaging in physical exercise. Incorporating worship and Christian spiritual disciplines transforms the yoga session into a holistic experience that nurtures both body and spirit.
Christians practicing yoga may find themselves in environments with diverse spiritual perspectives. This presents an opportunity to respectfully share their faith and demonstrate how they integrate their beliefs into their daily lives, living “set apart” or holy, bringing a unique example to these communities. By living out their convictions with grace and humility, Christians can be a positive witness to others who may be curious about their approach.
Additionally, participating in yoga can open doors to building relationships with individuals who might not otherwise engage with Christianity. Through these relationships, Christians can demonstrate Christ’s love and kindness, potentially leading to meaningful conversations about faith, much like Paul at Mars Hill, pointing others to the greatest treasure--Christ.
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