Being Christian and doing Yoga

This is something I struggle with all the time. I’m not sure how to feel about it.

there are plenty of yoga teachers out there that teach without integrating the spiritual aspect. maybe try focusing on the fact that for your personal journey the yoga is for your body, not spirituality

You can still do stretches and Pilates which are just as beneficial. The only issue there should be with yoga is when they practice “spiritual” things. Not every yoga studio is like this. Sometimes it is purely just stretching and mobility and there’s no spiritual additives. But if you can’t find that, then try Pilates and find stretching programs on YouTube

@Izzie yes, it was hard because I think I'll have to give up my favorite yoga account in order to pursue this, which I will if I continue yoga. She was just saying things like to breathe in the power of the universe and the power is within you and it was so contradictory because my strength is from God. But then there are people who say the creation of yoga is based in Hinduism and there is no way to truly make it Christian or okay for a Christian to do.

This is so true. People don’t understand that the positions of yoga first come from the admiration and reverence for the Sanskrit and their Gods. Yoga is not just a physical exercise it also is a spiritual one. Yoga and Christianity do not mix. If you need to stretch and breathe, do that but don’t engulf yourself in an entire practice that’s foundation is different from your faith

Maybe I will just try a "Christian yoga" video and see how it is? Idk I don't want to not honor God in anything I do.

the poses & humming are chants etc. don’t do it. try pilates or body balance instead x

You can do Pilates

I also struggled with this. I did yoga for years, but I am trying to draw closer to God and have been convicted regarding the practice. I am replacing it with Pilates

yoga is based in Hindu philosophy. but here in the West it is very common for the physical aspect to be separated from the spiritual. i guess it just depends on your reasons for practicing

It's still exercise

You know in your spirit it is wrong and that’s why you couldn’t relax, well done for listening to God and turning away from it. I like Pilates or general stretches whilst meditating on his word.

Doing yoga, the poses are actually bowing down to Eastern gods. It is not good to practice yoga at all as a Christian.

After listening to you all, I want to probably replace yoga videos with some other workout. Or just stretches while meditating in God's word. I think I do need something physical in my life again, maybe stretches and running now that it's nicer outside or I would love to do kick boxing as well. Just trying to make sure I don't go anywhere where I wouldn't bring Jesus or where I have to be fighting against other religions to do it.

Pilates is a great alternative! Yoga-like moves but without all of the religious or self-enlightenment type/new age undertones. :) You can put on some worship music and do pilates. I like to do it and practice scriptures. :)

@Celina then listen to the unpeace. :) If it honors God, you would not be at unrest with it. *hugs* I feel you! I suffer from fibromyalgia and that’s one of the most commonly suggested things that could help. I don’t feel a peace with it either. Listen to what the Spirit is telling you my sweet sister. 💗

I grew up in an Asian culture and personally don’t like how Christians label meditation and yoga as new agey. It’s like they don’t even listen to themselves talk when they say it and it’s kind of offensive. I stopped teaching yoga because of the similar anxiety I got from what someone else said. But when it came down to pregnancy, you know breathing and stretching is actually great for pregnant women. Pilates is too expensive. You should pray about it.

I really like that perspective, Alyssa! Thank you.

@Alyssa Meditation and yoga are most certainly not new age practices. They have a long history dating back even over 5,000 years ago. But they have for sure gained popularity as an exercise, physically, mentally and spiritually within I would say the past decade perhaps even a bit longer. Which is "new agey" a contemporary day trend. Perhaps people are saying it's trending when they say that. All throughout my pregnancy, I did yoga, with all the great stretches and breathing and that helped me so much. And if I did any other video such as pilates I would choose aspects of it where it would mostly involve just me and my mat. Thank you, I will continue to pray about it 🙏 God bless