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.
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.
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)
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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?
In an interview with Dave Hunt of the Berean Call (Dave is now with our Lord) the subject of the Kundalini Spirit was addressed:
“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.”
— Geri Ungurean, Absolute Truth From the Word of God, Christia Yoga: Bringing the Kundalini Serpent Into the Church, December 22, 2016
That note lol! How conventient for them…..
It’s very interesting how yoga and vegetarianism is on the same level of badness as XTC or LSD.
I remember being warned about the Kundalini snake that would enter your body, this snake being demonic. Of course, drugs did the same thing: it opened the windows of your brain for demons to enter….
Quick call gordon klingenschmitt or jennifer leclaire, the demons are coming the demons are coming.
*Looks down at the ankh pin on my shirt.*
*Checks the bookshelf in the bedroom for Lord of the Rings volumes.*
*Remembers lectures on postmodernism from archaeology classes long ago.*
Sees the ancient Egyptian hieroglyph for “life.”
Finds three volumes of excellent fantasy.
Considers the idea that “The truth is that there is no [single] truth; there are many, depending on POV.”
Concludes that I am a lost cause, and decides to enjoy life anyway, demons and all.
Geri Ungarean seems to partake of the same well of literal demonization as the late Jack T. Chick. Chick was gullible and believed all of these farfetched conspiracy theories that the disturbed and con artists pitched to him. Ungarean seems to share Chick’s lack of critical thinking skills. All of this would be rather amusing if it were not for the fact that real people have their lives ruined or ended because of such bogus concepts.
Hi Bruce,
Why do many (some???) Fundamentalists have an irrational fear or promote such a fear, ( if they don’t have one themselves) of yoga?
Some people just “see” demons everywhere, even on Christmas day, and just delight to spoil people’s festive time.
I spent some of the early part of Christmas day swimming down the beach in Perth and doing yoga poses on the beach. So the lunatic, who inspired this post, thinks I’m demon possessed. Well, good luck to him. He hasn’t a clue what he is talking about. As for eating mostly vegetables and fruit, this fruit loop is just out to spoil people’s time. What about a whisky or two?
I hope you and your family enjoy the festive season. It’s boxing day over here (another pubic holiday) and I’ve already enjoyed my time at the beach. May you and your loved ones enjoy the whole day together!
Shalom,
John Arthur
A plant-based diet is not only healthier for you, but also consumes less environmental resources. Raising animals for food causes tremendously devastating environmental damage, even more so than the transportation and big oil industry in addition to contributing to a plethora of health problems from osteoporosis, high blood pressure, heart attack, cancer, kidney stones, and diabetes. God made humans to be vegetarian animals. We have fingers, nails, and small, blunt teeth. We get squeamish when we see an animal getting slaughtered. We have long intestines that are poorly suited to digesting meat.
If vegetarianism is demonic, that is one eco-friendly, health conscious Satan. We should thank him for caring so much about our health.