Yoga and Christianity: A Faithful Exploration of Mind, Body, and Spirit

Key Terms to Know

Asana: A body posture, originally a steady and comfortable seat for meditation.

Namaste: A traditional Hindu greeting often said at the end of a yoga class, sometimes translated as 'the divine in me bows to the divine in you.'

Om (or Aum): A sacred mystical syllable in Hinduism, considered the sound of the universe and used as a mantra in meditation.

Pranayama: The practice of breath regulation. In yoga philosophy, 'prana' is the universal life force.

1. Idolatry and Spiritual Syncretism

The primary concern revolves around the First Commandment. The physical postures in yoga are not arbitrary stretches. Many were designed as acts of worship to Hindu deities. The classic 'Surya Namaskar' (Sun Salutation), for example, is traditionally a sequence of prostrations to Surya, the Hindu sun god. For Christians, intentionally or unintentionally participating in postures designed to honor other gods is a serious theological issue.

“You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them...” - Exodus 20:3-5a (NIV)

The fear is that by engaging in these practices, one engages in syncretism—the blending of different, and often contradictory, religious beliefs. This can dilute the uniqueness of Christ and lead a person into spiritual confusion.

2. Conflicting Forms of Meditation

Another major point of contention is the nature of yogic meditation. The goal of many Eastern meditation practices is to empty the mind, to achieve a state of nothingness or to dissolve the self into the universal consciousness. This stands in stark contrast to Christian meditation.

Biblical meditation is not about emptying the mind but about filling it with God's Word. It is an active, focused engagement with Scripture and God himself. The use of mantras like 'Om' is also problematic, as these sounds are believed to have spiritual power and connect the chanter with the Hindu Absolute.

“But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.” - Psalm 1:2 (NIV)

3. An Incompatible Worldview

At its core, the philosophy underpinning yoga presents a different answer to life's biggest questions. Compare the two worldviews:

• The Problem of Humanity: In yoga, the problem is ignorance (avidya) of our own divine nature. In Christianity, the problem is sin—a rebellion against a holy God.
• The Solution: In yoga, the solution is enlightenment (samadhi) achieved through self-effort and discipline. In Christianity, the solution is salvation, a free gift of grace received through faith in the atoning work of Jesus Christ.
• The Ultimate Goal: In yoga, the goal is to escape the cycle of reincarnation and merge with the impersonal universal consciousness (Brahman). In Christianity, the goal is eternal life in a personal relationship with God and the resurrection of the body.

These are not minor differences; they are fundamentally opposing views of reality, God, and humanity.

1. Separating the Physical from the Spiritual

The most common argument is that the physical postures (asanas) can be separated from their spiritual and philosophical roots. Proponents suggest that a stretch is just a stretch. A Christian can perform a 'warrior pose' for its physical benefits—balance, strength, focus—without worshipping the Hindu deity it may have been named after, just as a Christian can have a Christmas tree without worshipping the pagan gods it was once associated with.

This perspective emphasizes stewarding the body as a temple of the Holy Spirit. If stretching and breathing exercises reduce stress, increase flexibility, and improve overall health, then they can be seen as a good gift from God used to care for His creation.

“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” - 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NIV)

2. Christian Alternatives and Adaptations

This desire to separate the physical from the spiritual has led to the rise of 'Christian Yoga' and other faith-based fitness programs like Holy Yoga, PraiseMoves, and Yahweh Yoga. These organizations have intentionally 'redeemed' the practice by:

• Renaming postures with biblical themes.
• Replacing Sanskrit chants and 'Om' with Scripture verses and prayers.
• Playing Christian worship music instead of traditional yoga music.
• Focusing meditation on Christ and His Word, rather than on emptying the mind.

In this framework, the practice becomes a form of embodied worship, where every movement and breath is an act of praise to the one true God.

Questions for a Discerning Heart 🙏

1. What is my motivation? Am I seeking physical fitness and stress relief, or am I being drawn to an alternative spirituality? Be honest with yourself about what is attracting you to the practice.
2. Who is the instructor and what is the environment? Is the class taught purely as physical exercise, or does the instructor promote Hindu philosophy, chanting, and meditation on eastern concepts? The worldview of the teacher matters immensely.
3. What is being said and done? Are you being asked to chant 'Om' or say 'Namaste'? Are you being guided to empty your mind or to focus on your 'inner divinity'? These are clear red flags.
4. How does it affect my spirit? After a session, do you feel closer to Jesus or more drawn to a vague, impersonal sense of 'the universe'? Does it strengthen your desire for prayer and Scripture, or does it diminish it? Pay attention to the spiritual fruit in your life.
5. Can I redeem this for God's glory? Can you consciously offer the movements as prayer, meditate on Scripture during the poses, and maintain a Christ-centered focus throughout?

It is also wise to seek counsel from your pastor or a mature spiritual mentor who you trust.