The Miriam Webster Dictionary defines yoga as follows: A Hindu theistic philosophy teaching the suppression of all activity of body, mind, and will in order that the self may realize its distinction from them and attain liberation. That should clarify it. Christianity is incompatible with Hinduism. However, there are some who still need to be convinced. Such as those working at and subscribing to the publication entitled, “Christian Yoga Magazine.” Christians and the practice of yoga are absolutely incompatible – if you do your research. I hope this blog will help.
Let’s take a closer look at that definition again, it says that a goal of yoga is to separate the self from the body, mind and will. In Ch
ristianity, Jesus calls us to die to our self, which means we reject the life of the flesh and live for Him, practicing His way of life. Why would a Christian go to a yoga class to separate their “self” if they have already died to it, and have given their life to Jesus?
The more troubling statement in that definition is to, “attain liberation.” So, for a practicing Christian to practice yoga to liberate the self again, the self is hidden in Christ for the one who is truly following Him. Our entire being is liberated at the time we exchange our fallen flesh to the only One Who can redeem it!
Once upon a time, I practiced yoga and I also taught it. It was before my encounter with the Living God, when I was a Christian only in head knowledge. Now I understand more about the indwelling Holy Spirit in every Christian and how contrary it would be to worship a Hindu God with my body in those postures. It may sound crazy in the physical, but in the supernatural realm, the forces of good and evil are fighting for control of your soul. I see no reason to take a chance of giving an evil spirit any control over me. I am being sanctified and set apart to become holy as my Savior is holy. (1 Peter 1:16)
A few blogs ago I mentioned there are different levels of spiritual development – some people visit church every Sunday, and they say they are Christians. Some have had a life-altering encounter with the living God, and they call themselves Christians. And there are various levels of experience in between: Head knowledge versus heart knowledge, Bible instruction at home, Bible reading, Bible college or seminary, etc. Good examples of Christian living and poor ones. We are in a classroom every day. Some things we should capture and add to our lives and some things we need to reject. If you truly follow Jesus, practicing yoga should absolutely be rejected.
Someone who has a very powerful testimony regarding this topic is Mike Shreve, a former Kundalini Yoga instructor who taught at four universities in Florida in the 1960s. Kundalini energy is often visualized as a coiled serpent at the base of the spine, guided upward through the chakras to the crown chakra. A serpent. Where has a serpent been featured in a story before? I think we are all familiar with the serpent in the story of Adam and Eve. If God allowed a serpent to be a symbol of evil in the Bible, why would a Christian want to visualize a serpent crawling up their spine to the crown of their head?
Several hundred students attended classes led by Mike Shreve. He led many of them in demanding physical and spiritual disciplines – from 3:30 in the morning until 8:30 at night. He incorporated Hatha Yoga, Raja Yoga and Mantra Yoga – meditation and mantra techniques aimed at experiencing higher supernatural realms. Every aspect of his life was fine-tuned for the attaining of that elusive goal of, “God-consciousness.”
He des
cribes how he left the world of yoga when he came to faith in Christ in his book, Seven Reasons I No Longer Practice Yoga. In it he states, “I had an unexpected encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ, that radically transformed my heart, my life and my worldview.” Since then, he has not practiced any kind of yoga, not even the most basic aspects.
For over five decades he has often been asked if it is acceptable for Christians to practice yoga. His answer is an emphatic, “No.” He advises all Christians to become more knowledgeable and discerning concerning this cultural trend. I encourage anyone interesting in learning more about Mike’s journey to visit his website at thetruelight.net.
Another testimony just happened to pop up on my Facebook feed last week. It was from Joshua Shaw. He and his wife, Chelsea, are Senior Pastors of an apostolic equipping center. They witnessed demon possession of a girl with back pain. Joshua prayed for her and the pain came back, then it moved from her low back to the middle of her back and then to her shoulder. Heasked the Lord what was happening and heard, “yoga.” Then he asked her if she had practiced yoga and she said that the pain started the day she started a yoga class. He told her to renounce yoga and prayed for her again and her pain was instantly healed.
While doing healing and deliverance, Joshua has seen many cases of individuals receiving a demonic spirit from practicing yoga. To learn more about them and their deliverance ministry, visit their website, WalkAfterChrist.com
Finally, author and filmmaker, Caryl Matrisciana, who was born and raised in India, produced an excellent documentary in 2008 entitled, Yoga Uncoiled, which can be found on YouTube. In 2012, she appeared on the Christian television program, Christ in Prophecy, and explained how yoga opens doors to the occult and much more, and how influential the Beatles were to bring Hindu influences mainstream. Clips from Yoga Uncoiled, are included in this interview. https://youtu.be/qa6MQEj0aLc?si=VyeyyZMhOmZpLYdR
Participants in yoga who consider themselves Christians should renounce everything that they have said and done related to yoga. I pray for every Christian who thinks attending a yoga class is harmless. If you love Jesus and claim Him as your Savior, practicing yoga is sinful.
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