The practice of yoga has become incredibly popular in recent years as more people discover its physical and mental health benefits. However, some Christians have concerns about whether yoga is compatible with their faith. This arises from yoga’s historical roots in Eastern religions like Hinduism and Buddhism. So what does the Bible say about yoga? Can Christians practice yoga in a way that honors God? Let’s explore what “holy yoga” means from a biblical perspective.
The Roots and History of Yoga
Yoga originated in ancient India over 5,000 years ago and was rooted in Hindu philosophy and spirituality. The word “yoga” comes from the Sanskrit word “yuj” which means to yoke, join, or unite. The goal of traditional yoga was to unite the individual self (jivatma) with the divine self (paramatma). Physical yoga postures (asanas), breathing techniques (pranayama), and meditation were developed as tools to achieve this goal of enlightenment and oneness with the divine.
Over the centuries, yoga evolved into both a spiritual and physical discipline. Different schools of yoga emerged such as Hatha yoga focused on physical postures and Raja yoga focused on meditation and spiritual liberation. As yoga spread globally in the 19th and 20th centuries, it began to be practiced more for physical fitness in Western cultures. However, the postures and breathing exercises were still linked back to ancient Hindu philosophy and spirituality.
Christian Concerns About Yoga
For Christians, participating in yoga practices rooted in Eastern mysticism and non-Christian spirituality presents some potential areas of conflict. Here are some of the main concerns from a biblical perspective:
- The goal of achieving enlightenment and unity with the divine conflicts with Christian beliefs. Salvation can only come through faith in Jesus Christ according to biblical teaching (John 14:6).
- The breathing techniques and mantras used during yoga can be seen as honoring Hindu deities, which violates the First Commandment to have no other gods before God (Exodus 20:3).
- Emptying the mind during yoga meditation opens one up to deception and demonic influences. Christians are to renew their minds in Christ and fill their minds with God’s truth (Romans 12:2).
- Some argue the postures themselves are pagan “religious expressions” that honor Hindu gods. However, others point out that the postures can be separated from their original spiritual context.
- There is a risk of experiencing spiritual confusion by mixing yoga, which follows Eastern philosophy, together with Christian beliefs.
Can Yoga Be Practiced By Christians?
Is all yoga off limits for Christians then? Not necessarily. Many believers feel that yoga can be practiced in a way that is consistent with Christian teaching if their approach avoids the spiritual elements that conflict with Scripture. Here are some ways Christians seek to practice yoga in a God-honoring way:
- Focus on physical benefit – Some Christians view yoga simply as a form of non-religious exercise for strengthening and stretching the body. They avoid any spiritual element and practice the poses solely for physical and mental health.
- Be aware of origins – Other believers feel closer scrutiny should be applied to the historical roots of each yoga pose. Positions that were originally created as expressions of Hindu spirituality are adapted or avoided.
- Replace spiritual elements – Instead of Hindu, Buddhist or New Age-inspired meditation techniques, Christians focus on meditating on Scripture or prayer during their yoga practice.
- “Holy yoga” – This term generally refers to classes or programs that explicitly exclude any non-Christian influence and integrate Christian scripture, prayer and worship music into the movements.
- Focus on Christ – Even without specific “holy yoga” classes, Christians can do regular yoga exercises while consciously focusing on Christ and Biblical truth when their minds are calm and centered.
Guidance From Scripture on Yoga
Since the Bible does not specifically mention yoga, examining key scriptural principles can help guide Christians in evaluating yoga practices:
- Avoid idolatry – Yoga’s historical connection to Hindu gods and goddesses means classes may involve bowing, chanting or rituals that compromise a believer’s commitment to worship God alone (Exodus 20:3-5).
- Guard the mind – Be cautious of meditation or mind-emptying because the Bible teaches the importance of controlling our thoughts and filling our minds with God’s truth (Philippians 4:8, Romans 12:2).
- Maintain spiritual integrity – Avoid yoga teachers, classes or studios that integrate elements of Eastern mysticism, New Age beliefs or Hindu spirituality that do not align with biblical orthodoxy (2 Corinthians 6:14).
- Glorify God in the body – As God’s temple, we can honor Him by keeping our bodies healthy. But the motivation should be to glorify God, not religious ritual (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
- Examine yoga’s “fruit” – Look honestly at any spiritual confusion, anxiety, obsession over bodily perfection, or other bad fruit that yoga produces in your life (Matthew 7:15-23).
- Christian freedom – Mature believers can thoughtfully decide for themselves what types of yoga, if any, they feel comfortable participating in while remaining loyal to Christ (Romans 14:1-12).
Can Yoga Be Compatible With Christianity?
Whether yoga and Christianity can be compatible is still debated among believers. Yoga’s Hindu spiritual roots understandably make some Christians uncomfortable with practicing it. However, a growing number of Christians feel that yoga can be positive for the body and mind when stripped of any inconsistent spiritual elements and practiced with a focus on honoring Christ.
In the end, mature Christians can thoughtfully decide what is the most God-honoring approach to yoga for themselves. The priorities should be protecting one’s spiritual integrity, avoiding anything that could compromise commitment to Christ, and glorifying God in all areas of life including physical health and fitness.
Practical Tips For Christians Practicing Yoga
For Christians who wish to incorporate yoga into their exercise routines while avoiding spiritual entanglements, here are some practical tips:
- Pray before starting yoga for protection, discernment and focus on God
- Study scripture related to yoga concerns (idolatry, guarding the mind, spiritual integrity)
- Take classes at a studio that is aware and respectful of your faith-based boundaries
- Adapt postures to avoid cultural meanings that compromise your beliefs
- Meditate on scripture, Christian music or prayer rather than New Age visualization
- Avoid chanting mantras associated with Hinduism or mysticism
- Focus on breathwork for calmness or physical goals, not spiritual energy manipulation
- Customize your practice to find positions and an atmosphere that help you connect with God
Holy Yoga Alternatives for Christians
For Christians seeking to integrate their faith with physical exercise, specifically labeled “Holy Yoga” classes are not the only option. Other alternatives include:
- Christ-centered yoga apps or videos – Programs that leave out Hindu spiritual elements and incorporate Christian prayer, scripture, or worship music.
- Christian-based yoga studios – Locations that expressly avoid any non-Christian spiritual influences and welcome Christian students.
- Yoga at Christian retreats/conferences – Yoga classes catered specifically for Christians to practice without spiritual entanglement.
- DVDs or books on Christian yoga – Various resources teaching yoga from a Christian perspective are available.
- Christian meditation retreats – These teach Christian-style meditation focused on scripture, prayer and contemplating God.
The key is finding programs, resources and environments designed specifically to enable Christians to gain the physical and mental benefits of yoga without compromising faith or values.
Conclusion
Yoga and Christianity both aim to unite mind, body and spirit. But the core philosophies differ. Yoga seeks to attain enlightenment by emptying the mind and tapping into inner divinity through physical and spiritual practices. Christianity seeks communion with the one true divine and living God through prayer, studying the Bible, and the transformative work of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit from within. Context matters.
For some Christians, even secular exercise-focused yoga classes are risky due to yoga’s inseparable roots in Eastern spirituality. Other believers feel comfortable with certain types of yoga if practiced prayerfully and with vigilance against idolatry or other spiritual dilution. Scripture does not forbid yoga outright but does provide essential guidance for discernment.
Ultimately, Christians must each decide before God what role, if any, yoga may have in their lives while prioritizing their spiritual integrity and commitment to Jesus Christ as Lord of all.
