
I originally wrote this article in 2016.
Periodically, I bring it back out for Christians to read. The devil will always whisper to children of God: “Yoga is fine! Just don’t do the meditation part.” He’s a liar.
Also, with the false teachings abounding in nearly every denomination, I felt that it was so vitally important to bring this piece out once again.
Have you watched the people from Emergent churches and NAR (New Apostolic Church) as they writhe on the floors, barking like dogs and laughing uncontrollably? Is this from God?
Most Certainly NOT!
I bring this article out often because I see online that many Christians will not listen to others when they point out that there is NO such thing as Christian yoga. Now that winter is not far away, I felt the need to post this article again. Many people choose yoga as indoor exercise during the colder months.
Original Article
Nothing seems to get a heated debate started faster than challenging a Christian who practices Yoga on this subject.
“But I only do the stretching part.” I can’t tell you how many times I have heard this. This article is written for the sake of clarification and education on the practice of Yoga.
WHAT IS YOGA?
Yoga (/ˈjoʊɡə/; Sanskrit: योग, Listen) are the physical, mental, and spiritual practices or disciplines that aim to transform body and mind. The term denotes a variety of schools, practices and goals in Hinduism, Buddhism (including Vajrayana and Tibetan Buddhism and Jainism,[ the best-known being Hatha yoga and Raja yoga. The term yoga is derived from the literal meaning of “yoking together” a span of horses or oxes, but came to be applied to the “yoking” of mind and body.- source
Yoga:noun a mystic and ascetic Hindu discipline by which one seeks to achieve liberation of the self and union with the supreme spirit or universal soul through intense concentration, deep meditation, and practices involving prescribed postures, controlled breathing, etc. a system of exercising involving the postures, breathing, etc. practiced in this discipline source
A Christian who studies the Word of God, should instantly see red flags and discern that Yoga and Christianity are not compatible. We see in the definition “Yoga is the physical, mental and spiritual practices or disciplines that aim to transform body and mind.” What does God say about transforming our minds?
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Romans 12:2).
Immediately we see a problem between transforming our minds in Yoga, and being transformed by the renewing of our minds according to the Word of God. As Christians, God wants our minds to be renewed, so we will be able to know His will for us. God wants us to be closer to Him. He speaks to us through His Word. He is our perfect Father.
“According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue” (2 Peter 1:3).
We know that the practice of Yoga is rooted in Hinduism and Buddhism. As Christians, do we want to open up our minds to something that will transform us to be more like Hindus or Buddhists? Ok, when we see it in black and white, it seems unthinkable. But this is exactly what practicing Yoga is accomplishing in your life.
“There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death” (Proverbs 14:12).
Next we see in the definition – The term yoga is derived from the literal meaning of “yoking together” a span of horses or oxes, but came to be applied to the “yoking”of mind and body.
Another red flag should easily be seen by a student of the Word. Let’s see what God says about being yoked together:
“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?” (2 Corinthians 6:14).
The picture of oxen being yoked together is used by both Yoga and the Word. In Yoga, the goal is for mind and body to be yoked together. It’s a Hindu discipline to bring mind and body into submission – but to what end?
Were you aware that every Yoga pose is a posture of worship to various Hindu gods? In this way, the person is making offerings to millions of Hindu deities! Of course, these details are left off of the “Welcome pamphlet” in Yoga centers. People are coming there to stretch and relax and be energized, right?
THE KUNDALINI SPIRIT
In an interview with Dave Hunt of the Berean Call (Dave is now with our Lord) the subject of the Kundalini Spirit was addressed:
“In spite of the advertisements and talk about health and fitness yoga’s real goal is to awaken Kundalini power, coiled like a serpent at the base of the spine, ready to spring up to manifest itself through the alleged chakras, (centers of universal force) of the body.” Now, what exactly is Kundalini yoga, or Kundalini power, for that matter?”
Dave Hunt:
“Well, to put it bluntly, it’s demonic. There is no way you can explain it physically, it’s a non physical force. There certainly is nothing coiled at the base of the spine, three and one-half times coiled like a serpent that’s going to spring up when you get in the proper state of consciousness, supposedly. This is the same occult power that all the occultists are in touch with, or try to be in touch with.” – source
In yoga, the student is told to empty their minds to prepare for meditation. An empty mind is exactly what Satan likes! Look at what God says about meditation:
“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer” (Psalm 19:14).
We meditate on His Law and on His Word. We FILL our minds with the goodness of our Father’s perfect and Holy Words. Do you want an empty mind, or a mind filled with God’s Word?
“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee” (Psalm 119:11). KJV
We have seen the videos of holy laughter and other aberrant behavior in churches. Do we have to wonder from where the spirits came who wreak such havoc with children of God? Could it be that so many Christians are practicing yoga and are bringing the Kundalini spirit into their services? I have read that Hindus who knowingly seek out the Kundalini spirit, behave in similar ways during their worship. With the uncontrollable laughter and rolling about on the floor, it would be hard to tell the difference between them and a charismatic Christian service!
Watch Hindus practice Yoga: looks very much like people in the NAR movement and other aberrant movements writhing around on the floor – doesn’t it?
Over thirty million people in America practice Yoga. In the 1960’s, Transcendental Meditation came on the American scene. It was a time of self realization and finding the meaning to life within oneself. Society pushed God aside, and replaced Him with Self. Secular humanism is the new religion, and it has caused the moral decline of our society. If there is no God, then there are no moral absolutes, right? Unfortunately, this ideology has crept into the Church as well.
Christians Should Not Look Like the World
How will we persuade a lost world that they need to repent and trust Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of their sins, if we look just like them? God wants us to come out from them and behave and live like His children. When the world looks at us, do they see Jesus? That should be the prayer of each of our hearts – daily.
“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils” (1 Timothy 4:1). KJV
If we try to fit into this world, we not only ruin our testimony, but we put ourselves in jeopardy of falling away from God. Do you not know that the devil seeks to destroy you all day long? He is the accuser of the brethren. He is a liar and the father of lies. If we don’t cling to our Father and study His Word, we become prey for the enemy of our souls.
Yoga and New Age Practices
I have heard Christians talk about the evil of New Age practices, and yet they practice yoga. Somehow our churches have placed a stamp of approval on yoga. A brother or sister in Christ would never think of attending a séance or play with a Ouija board, or see a spiritist for a reading. But these same people will go to their yoga classes and enthusiastically invite others. It’s time for the truth about yoga to be told to your family and friends!
Writing this article will certainly not win me new friends. As a matter of fact, some may choose to ignore the warnings and consider me a bit fanatical. But hopefully others who have wondered about yoga, will be glad that they now know the dangers of it.
Don’t forget that the Evil one – the father of lies – the author of confusion – Satan, wants to take you away from the Lord. Hold fast to what you know is right. Turn away from evil. Cling to Jesus and His Word.
1 Peter 5:8
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”
Shalom b’Yeshua
MARANATHA!!
Love this article!
I’m glad. I hope you will share it for the sake of the brethren!
Geri, you keep on being fanatical, sister! Truth must be fanatical when it is constantly battling lies. And the battle is getting more fierce by the day. (No wonder your health suffers and you get worn out.)
You state “Were you aware that every Yoga pose is a posture of worship to various Hindu gods? In this way, the person is making offerings to millions of Hindu deities!” This is what turned me away from yoga after practicing it for about 5 years.
Before I was saved, I loved the yoga workout; the heat, the discipline, the flexibility it increased in my joints and best of all, it kept my weight under control like nothing else. But after the Holy Spirit came to live inside me, the practice of yoga felt wrong. For a short time, I even thought Christian Yoga could be ‘a thing.’ After all, I prayed to the Lord when I did yoga, and I never emptied my mind or played any of their pagan games of praying to the universe and blah blah blah.
But true to His promise of sanctification, the Spirit revealed to me (I can’t remember exactly how, I think I was doing an online search regarding Christian Yoga) that all those poses, which I called ‘exercise’ were postures of worship to Hindu gods. How could I do that and honor the Lord?! I couldn’t and stopped practicing yoga. Sure I miss the benefits (Satan is soooo very tricky in his enticements…making evil appear to be good) but never as an exchange for obedience and honoring the Lord.
My story is another example of His gentle and loving ways of leading us in His paths, for His righteousness and glory. It chokes me up when I reflect back on the whole process.
Thank you for posting this! We live in a world that desperately needs to know the Truth, the Way and the Life.
Maranatha!
Amen, sis……..AMEN!!
1 Thessalonians 5:22, Abstain from all appearance of evil.
This is not just the “appearance” of evil. The Kundalini spirit is demonic and real, and Christians who take part in this evil can hurt others in the body of Christ.
It’s funny, in a not funny way, that we consider ourselves far too sophisticated to worship idols and false gods but practice yoga and consult astrological charts and psychics (pagan god worship), murder our children through abortion (putting them through the fire) and place our worldly possessions and outward appearances above all (idolatry). Satan laughs.
Well said. Blessings.
Amen, Geri. Thank you. I did accounting in the “fitness” environment for many years, and always noticed that those practicing & promoting yoga seemed to become more and more self-centered & selfish over time. Just one more example of ungodly influences in one’s life.
Thank you, once again, Geri, for another excellent article. You’re always on point!!
God bless you, sis
Thought I would add to Robin’s excellent article in a slightly different angle on Satanic lies. The Bible has much to say & warn us of believing the devil as we are to always “test the spirits” against God’s Holy Word.
The current Satanic lie that sticks in my craw is the globalist lie of “you will own nothing & be happy”. You might Google the Beatle song “imagine..the world will be as one.” One what? Read the lyrics & it has much in common with the globalist agenda to enslave mankind. Surely a song for the gullible.
1. Sounds good, itching ear stuff…no bills, no job stress, no competition, no cash to hide, no personal property to worry about maintaining or keep safe from thieves. Sounds like the perfect paradise we all have envisioned.
2. Problem: God NEVER said having property or exercising our individuality was wrong. He encouraged it. Just don’t do it in excess to usurp your time, make an idol of it or sin against Him by breaking His plainly stated commands. Also relinquish it all to the Lord’s disposal as so in doing will bring glory to the God Who provided it. In other words, “don’t get all u can, can all u get & sit on the can.”
3. Globalists say “You will own nothing”…
But God says, Gen 1:26-31 (my emphasis) …and let THEM (man) male and female RULE (not a cabalist committee or one man like the antichrist) over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle AND over all the earth”…
Acts 5:1-6 Ananias & Sapphira…. “sold a piece of property”..God did not condemn owning personal property as v-4…While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not under your control? In other words the property was theirs & so was the disposition of the funds received.
Under the globalist system people will have no digital savings/credits or be allowed to keep anything unspent because savings fall into the owning something category. Sinful, despotic, unelected God hating men will decide your needs (also think medical deprivation) & supposedly supply those needs as they see fit therefore replacing the God who provides faithfully for us. Replacing God means we must then be required to worship the cabalist “giver of life”.
4. Globalists say you will “be happy”. However they will decide your future as to your job, career, future & upbringing of children if they are allowed at all. There will be no families as God has ordained because families decide their own futures. The Cabal is above all… you peasant. You stay alive at our pleasure.
If you don’t like this oppressive enslavement & resist you face the infamous “treatment under the bus” or worse. Christ forgives but the Cabal does not. You must obey or else…peasant. Take the mark for a 1 way ticket to the Lake of Fire!
5. Don’t forget your spiritual needs to fill the God-ordained emptiness in every human. The Cabal to the rescue! This is the “be happy” part of their devilish guarantee of Nirvana.
Since the Cabal bunch are merely men & not infinite like our God who actually guarantees that “your joy may be full” forever if you submit to him. A finite, sinful God hating Cabal can only offer a synthetic, temporary & addicting “be happy” fix…which probably means (they are presently working on that) addicting drugs, A-I programing of our brains into non-thinking automatons of sorts. What a great future ahead for those who worship the antichrist & his brown shirt type enforcers.
6. How to avoid this future conflagration of your individual dreams & hopes.
Seek the Lord Jesus Christ while He still may be found. His eyes search the earth looking for those who earnestly seek Him. He stands with His arms ready to embrace the person who knows he is a sinner & needs forgiveness. Jesus went to the cross & provided the free gift of salvation for those who turn from their sinful ways, humble themselves & commit to serving the Lord God of the Bible for the rest of their days.
You must ask Him. You must ask the only Christ who can save you, not the virgin Mary, your avatar, or good feeling, or burning in the bosom, Watchtower “christ” or many others who have come, gone & will continue to come in His Precious Name. They are all fakes do not be deceived. Read the Gospel of John for correct identification of the REAL JESUS, not the Book of Mormon, Koran, New World Translation, Oprah & cohorts, New Age garbage/books who distort the real Jesus & His mission to save mankind & don’t be deceived YOU ARE NOT & will never be the potential equal of Jesus Christ. He will not share His throne with anyone. He is THE ONLY way not some way-shower.
Use a REAL BIBLE & study it for REAL ETERNAL ANSWERS. Discover Jesus IS GOD & the ONLY GOD. Only the God of the Bible can forgive your sins and His Name is the Lord Jesus Christ. There is still time…barely…don’t delay tomorrow may be too late!
Amen, Dale!!
AMEN Dale, would it be that everyone would heed His call! We know the Holy Spirit is working overtime on the hearts and minds of the unsaved, may today be the day of their salvation!