Is It Okay For Followers Of Christ To Practice Yoga ?
Yoga has become an increasingly common part of the fitness world our western culture. As yoga has roots in eastern religions, particularly Hinduism, many naturally have strong concerns about followers of Christ practicing yoga. While the potential religious and spiritual conflict may seem fairly simple to some… it is not so simple to others often because what they actually practice and experience does not seem to reflect any conflict.
Most of the “pop” forms of “yoga” classes involve little or no spiritual teaching or guidance. They may often convey the basic principle that body, mind, and soul are inter-related… but often in a limited manner which is arguably not in conflict with the Bible. Most who take “yoga classes” in today’s urban western culture, find there is little or no directed meditation or specific spiritual truth being taught. Therefore, much of the conflict between different views on this topic may be more about assumptions to what “yoga” can involve… that is actually not what people are engaging in.
Most people experience these classes as serving their overall health… and subsequently their spiritual well-being as well. Most people who actually “do yoga” classes simply don’t sense any spiritual conflict …including those who are generally respected as spiritually mature and discerning. Such lives may appreciate the concerns which some make based on the potential religious conflict…but they are not inclined to dismiss their actual experience based on what often seems to be an abstract theoretical conflict more than actual experience. Most notably perhaps, most people do not know anyone who has wandered off to worship other gods as a result of taking yoga classes…nor even turned away from Christ in any identifiable way.
So how should one look at the concerns for religious conflict in light of the current practice and experience?
A significant reason there are such differing perspectives about whether there is some potentially appropriate way for those following Christ to practice some form associated with “yoga” has to do with the assumptions and approach one has about the nature of such “association.”
Does the name “yoga” which is associated with eastern “Hindu” beliefs carry spiritual power regardless of what is taught or practiced? Does that association allow Hindu ideas to confuse and corrupt truth for those committed to the teaching and truth of Christ? Do physical positions or exercise have intrinsic spiritual meaning attached to them? Does any engagement represent an invitation to demonic influence?
Different people have come to different “sides” of this issue primarily because they approach and answer these issues of “association” differently. The following are simply a few points that shape my initial perspective
I believe that generally, we are not worshipping or giving ourselves to any spiritual power unless we willfully choose to give it that association. I believe that the Apostle Paul’s teaching about relating to food sacrificed to idols is very helpful here. (1 Cor 8:1-11:1.)
Paul notes that there is no real power in itself, because “an idol is nothing at all in the world” (8:4.) However, he then adds, “But not everyone possesses this knowledge. Some people are still so accustomed to idols that when they eat sacrificial food they think of it as having been sacrificed to a god, and since their conscience is weak, it is defiled” (8:7.) The proper understanding of the spiritual world seems to be that spiritual power is not carried in objects themselves…but in that of a creatures will and conscious intent. It seems fair to imply that if someone is not making an association of spiritual power (dependency or honor) …then there is no inherent spiritual dynamic or wrong. The Biblical principle seems to be that what matters most is not the source but the intent.
Notably Paul adds the wisdom and care that reminds one that even if they don’t bring such an association into play…others might…and we should avoid drawing them into what will have spiritual meaning for them (i.e. idolatry…which is turning in need to honor any other than the true God of all.)
This general freedom is what may have allowed those following Christ long ago to enfold honoring his birth into the generally pagan celebrations that created the December “Christmas” holiday…and his resurrection with the pagan ideas being celebrated in what is now “Easter.” While some denounce these celebrations because of such associations, a majority today believe that they can enjoy the holidays and symbols without it reflecting pagan worship.
Now, in applying these and other principles to “yoga,” my best current advice would be the following:
We should understand that stretching and breathing exercises do not carry some intrinsic spiritual association. They are not inherently wrong…and since God affirms that bodily life is good… such exercises can be a good thing from God’s perspective. However, if one is being led into exercises which are given an association with worshipping false gods or spirits… one should refrain… unless they can find the complete freedom to direct all focus and honor upon the truth of God and Christ.
Some have argued that all yoga poses were created as part of Hindu religious expressions of worship or spiritual connection…and as such they conclude that no desire to engage them in a more secular or Christ-centered manner “negates the intrinsic Hindu meanings in these poses.” While such a concern may be well intended, I believe that such a position is misguided. To presume that a particular way in which one points their arms or legs which God created can have “intrinsic Hindu meaning” implies that some Hindu religious practitioners “own” and “control” what that posture “is” …and have authority over what God created. The truth is that they do not control what that posture “is”…they only control what meaning they gave to it. Their meaning is not intrinsic to that posture. Logic would remind us that any number of ways we form our body may have been given meaning by various cultures… even that of simply standing straight… and to avoid every such posture or practice would be both impossible…and also imply that those cultures are the ultimate source of meaning rather than God.
I believe that there is maturity in avoiding associations with practices that are commonly understood to honor a false gods or spirits. Some will consider that participating in anything which carries the title “yoga” carries such a common association. Others will consider that the term “yoga” has become commonly associated with such a wide variety of practices and that it is no longer deemed to be inherently “religious” in nature. I would share that latter sense…but respect those who do not...as this may in part be determined by one’s cultural context. From my experience, those raised or living within Hindu oriented cultures may feel that practicing yoga carries more social and spiritual meaning…and therefore is not an appropriate personal choice….while such associations may bear little meaning to those who practice the “pop” forms of yoga in urban western non-Hindu culture.
“Meditation” has also been associated by many with being rooted in eastern religious practices. However, it is simply focusing the mind…and can be as much a part of Biblical spirituality as any other. While one can and even should practice meditation upon God and God’s truth… it is vital not to be led by others into meditation that is not a reflection of what is true and good. (Psalm 1, Phil. 4:18)
My encouragement…
To those who feel a concern for followers of Christ to have any engagement in “yoga”, I would encourage getting beyond mere abstract “religious” association, particularly with the current use of the word “yoga,” and think more about the actual practices at hand.
To those engaging in some form of yoga class or practice, I would encourage not allowing any class or teacher to draw you into that which leads away from the truth and honor of God.
To all who seeks God’s perspective, I would encourage you to not presume that there is spiritual power in mere physical objects or postures apart from the meaning that is being given to them by those engaged in the activity. Let us take seriously what the Bible reveals about spiritual warfare…in part by not drifting into a “magical” worldview which identifies power in inanimate objects and inherently neutral actions.
Some resources that I found offered at least some element of insight
Doug Pagitt and John MacArthur discuss Yoga on CNN
Is it Okay for Christians to Do Yoga? by Doireann Fristoe (Oct. 2010)