The question is Yoga for Christians? Yoga is for everybody! The choice is yours.
There is often a misunderstanding that yoga is a religion, it is not. Yoga is a spiritual discipline, much like prayer, fasting and meditation. Yoga has the capacity to enhance our personal beliefs and faith. Christians can still keep their focus on Christ. You can do this by integrating His Word, prayer, worship and the physical practice of Yoga.
The word “Yoga” comes from the biblical word “yoke,” which means to join together in union. Yoga means “union” of the mind, body, breath and spirit.
The Yoga practice originated in ancient Egypt (Africa) was documented by the East Indians. Much of the historical information about Yoga in Africa was lost during the slave trade. To practice Yoga you do not have to practice Hinduism. Just because a Hindu has wine and bread does not mean they are practicing Christianity. Just because you like to wear blue jeans you don’t have to be American, a cowboy or a farmer.
“Take the practice and interpret it for your people”, is the advice that has been given to me by my Yoga teachers in India. I went to India in 1999 to gain deeper spiritual understanding of Yoga. What I learned is that Yoga embraces all personal beliefs that leads the individual to the highest greatness toward “union” of mind, body and spirit. All the different styles of Yoga that you see are interpretations – like a singer interprets a song. The song could been done in a style that is Pop, R & B, Gospel, Jazz, etc. Simply a decision to choose to explore Yoga, if you relate to what is being offered.
In the last decade much emphasis has been put on alternative methods of health care. Even medical doctors are beginning to give more credibility to holistic methods of healing. Studies have proven that the best results come from looking at the whole person, body, mind and spirit. It is no longer considered good medicine just to treat symptoms and ignore the possible underlying causes of disease. So where does yoga fit into this model of healing, and what are its implications for Christians? (Read more – Yoga and Healing: A Christian’s Perspective)
Take Time To Find Grace Everywhere
