As a Christian, you’ve probably asked yourself “Is Yoga a Sin?”, since it seems to be so popular these days. Well, the truth is that practicing Yoga can be considered sinful, because Yoga is highly based on the Hindu religion.
Additionally, some Christians believe that practicing Yoga can lead to spiritual confusion and open the door to demonic influence.
In this article we’re going to cover a few aspects of what is yoga and if it sinful and what are the dangers of doing Yoga as a Christian.
What is Yoga?
The origins of yoga in Hinduism and other Eastern religions
Yoga is a spiritual practice that originated in India and is rooted in Hinduism and other Eastern religions.
Many yoga poses and practices are connected to Hindu deities and beliefs, such as the sun salutation, which is a form of worship for the Hindu god Surya.
The traditional use of mantras, chanting, and other practices associated with yoga are also part of Hindu worship.
Yoga has many different forms, but they all share common elements: meditation, breathing exercises, and postures (asanas). There are four main types of yoga: hatha, kundalini, bhakti, and raja.
The dangers of syncretism and false worship
Syncretism is the blending of different religious traditions, and it can be especially dangerous for Christians.
When we mix Christian beliefs with other religions, we risk losing the true meaning of Christianity and opening ourselves up to spiritual deception.
Yoga can lead to syncretism when its practices and beliefs are blended with Christian beliefs.
It’s important to understand that these two religions (Christianism and Hinduism) are very different from one another and shouldn’t be mixed together because they have very different beliefs about God and how we should live our lives.
The Bible tells us that Jesus Christ died on the cross so we could have eternal life with him (John 3:16).
In order to receive this free gift of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ alone, you must repent from your sins (turn away from them), confess Him as Lord over your life (Romans 10:9-13), ask Him into your heart (1 Corinthians 12:3), receive Him into your life by faith alone without any works being done through us first before we can become born again children of God (John 1:12-13).
The potential for demonic activity and spiritual deception
The Bible warns against false worship and idolatry, and practicing yoga can be a form of idolatry. When we participate in practices that are rooted in other religions, we open ourselves up to demonic activity and spiritual deception.
The Bible warns us to test everything and to be discerning (1 Thessalonians 5:21, 1 Corinthians 10).
Biblical warnings against idolatry and false worship
The Bible is clear that Christians should not worship false gods or idols (Exodus 20:3-4). We are to worship God alone and not participate in practices that lead us away from Him. When we participate in yoga, we risk putting other gods before God and violating the first commandment.
The Spiritual and Mental Dangers of Yoga
The practice of meditation and focus on self instead of God
Yoga often involves meditation and deep breathing exercises, which yogis claim that it can be beneficial for relaxation and stress relief. However, meditation can also lead to a focus on self instead of God.
Christians are called to focus on Christ and to deny ourselves (Matthew 16:24-25). When we focus on ourselves instead of God, we risk losing sight of His will for our lives.
Yoga as New Age Spirituality
Yoga’s inclusion in the “missionary wing of New Age spirituality” is another cause for concern.
With yoga and other related movements like Tai Chi, many Christians have become involved in New Age beliefs and practices.
Although they may be passed off as simple physical activities, these practices are actually mystical, intellectual, and theological systems.
Yoga can easily lead to the exploration of other New Age philosophies such as Eastern meditation, believing in Angel Numbers, guided imagery, and astral projection, which can develop into questionable philosophies and cause psychosis.
Yoga focuses on feelings
There are several specific dangers associated with practicing yoga. For one, it is highly sensual in nature and can lead to a focus on feelings rather than faith. Additionally, yoga involves the manipulation of “life force energy” through pranayama breathing exercises.
This is seen as dabbling in a spiritual realm that Christians are not called to play with. Finally, the end-of-class relaxation pose, called “The Corpse” or Savasana, can leave participants open to suggestions and vulnerable to spiritual attack.
The potential for emotional imbalance and unhealthy attachment to feelings
Yoga encourages practitioners to accept their emotions as they are and move through them rather than trying to change them or suppress them.
While this seems like a good idea at first glance, it can lead to emotional imbalance and an unhealthy focus on our feelings.
As Christians, we are called to control our emotions and to focus on what is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, and commendable (Philippians 4:8).
The temptation to seek spiritual fulfillment outside of Christ
Yoga can be a tempting alternative to traditional Christian practices, such as prayer and Bible study.
The physical and mental benefits of yoga can be appealing, but they cannot replace the spiritual fulfillment that comes from a relationship with Christ.
Seeking spiritual fulfillment outside of Christ can lead to spiritual weakness and a lack of faith.
The importance of focusing on Christ and His teachings for spiritual health and growth
As Christians, our spiritual health and growth depend on our relationship with Christ. We are called to focus on Him and to seek His will for our lives. Practicing yoga cannot replace the spiritual growth that comes from a relationship with Christ. Focusing on Christ and His teachings is the only way to achieve true spiritual health and growth.
Conclusion: Is Yoga Dangerous for Christians?
With the rise of new age spirituality over the past few years, some Christians believe that practicing yoga can lead them away from their faith, and for good reason, even Hindu professors agree:
Yoga is Hinduism, according to professor Subhas Tiwari of the Hindu University of America, because it has its roots in Hinduism.
In addition, Tiwari stated that “efforts to remove yoga from its spiritual heart indicate ignorance of the objective of yoga.” This shows that yoga has a greater, more profound purpose than simply being a form of exercise.
Yoga teaches practitioners to “empty the mind,” which is in contrast to the Christian teaching of renewing the mind on the Word of God. Christians who practice yoga may be opening themselves up to spiritual danger, and it is important for them to examine their motivations for practicing and how it aligns with their faith.
In conclusion: Is Yoga a sin? Well, while yoga may seem harmless, there are concerns about its spiritual nature and the potential for it to lead Christians away from their faith. It is important for Christians to carefully consider the practice of yoga and its connection to New Age spirituality.
