[SERay]

The physical activity of yoga is taught to be a means of physical exercise, for the strengthening and improving of flexibility of the muscles. However, the philosophy behind yoga is much more than physically improving oneself. It is an ancient practice derived from India, believed to be the path to spiritual growth and enlightenment.

The question becomes, is it possible for a Christian to limit the physical aspects of yoga as simply a method of exercise, without incorporating the spirituality or philosophy behind it? Some think so while others do not. Yoga did originate from a blatantly anti-Christian philosophy. It teaches one to focus on oneself instead of on the one true God. It encourages its participants to seek the answers to life's difficult questions within their own conscience instead of in the Word of God. Like most New Age spiritual practices today, it makes the innerself "the god".

The spiritual aspects of yoga is clearly a New Age concept that is deeply religious and pantheistic in its origin. It is widely practiced and supported by New Age proponents. In review, the New Age movement as a whole, inspires a inward-focused generation of “spiritual people” willing to trade their soul for the grand deception. the New Age movement denies the reality of sin and total depravity, and believes that man is generally good and is divine. They teach that there is a god within us, and we are to harness that and develop it through meditation and other metaphysical techniques. They teach that the only thing people need is enlightenment regarding their divinity. They believe that through many reincarnations man is reunited with God. They believe in karma, which is a debt one owes because of his previous life. They also believe and teach the evolution of man as opposed to the Creation that is taught in the Bible. The movements spiritual practices includes conjured imagery, visualization, hypnosis, channeling, chanting of mantras, energy work, sorcery, divination, and other occult techniques, which are not only unbiblical and cursed, but are potentially dangerous.

There is, of course, nothing wrong with exercise, good posture and meditation as we seek health and wholeness for our bodies, minds, emotions and spirits. However, the methods and activities used to attain these ends must, for the Christian, be acceptable to God, based on biblical principles and subject to the discernment and wisdom of the Holy Spirit.

Read the recently published article here: http://www.eternalpath.com/yoga.html

[sword]

Yes, yoga has some real physical benefits. So what. Lots of other exercises and therapeutic/recreation programs that have nothing to do with a Satanic false religion provide the same benefits or better. Consider this fact: virtually no one was going around practicing yoga 20 or 30 years ago, but everyone wants to now. Why? How were people with stress problems, arthritis, back problems, muscle injuries, etc. handling those problems then? If it wasn't necessary then, if our parents and grandparents got along with it then, why do we need it now? Simple: we don't. People want to try it because it is new, hip, and trendy. First the Hollywood celebrities get into it, and then the famous preachers like anti - Trinitarian T. D. Jakes and Rick Warren (who promotes a lot of New Age ideas) start saying its OK, and then church people want to start doing it. We really have to examine our hearts and ask ourselves what is it about us that would make us want to go after something like yoga in the first place. All things may be lawful to us, but they are not expedient. People really start need to acknowledging the facts that A) there is a war going on, B) eternal souls are at stake, and C) evil spirits are real and false religions deal in them. Now a lot of people hate Christian rock and rap music; but at least those are people whose purpose (for all we know) is to praise God. But this stuff has nothing to do with praising God and we know it. As for TD Jakes and others calling it "Christian yoga" and claiming that you can pray to God while doing it ... why? Was there something wrong with the way that you were praying yesterday? If so, yoga is not going to fix the problem! There really should be some sort of three - step test that a Christian should put himself through before taking on some new practice or doctrine. 1) Was I doing this yesterday, 2) if not why do I want to do it today, and 3) will this make me more pleasing to God and help me get closer to Him. I can say with a high degree of confidence that 90% of the time or more the answer to the last question in particular will be no, and if that be the case why mess around with it? Simple: to please and glorify yourself, and that is EXACTLY the purpose for yoga in the first place. Which means that you will be incorporating the spiritual aspects of yoga whether you know it or admit it or not!