[QUOTE=yaram;59891]Yes…I am Indian and am Hindu…Get some yoga classes to overcome anger,emotional fatigue.:D[/QUOTE]
If you are then you are as much a disgrace to your people and your religion as much as a Jew speaking in favour of the Nazis is a disgrace to their own people and religion.
Discussion really over.
[QUOTE=Surya Deva;59892]India has never invaded any other country in its 10,000 years of history. Philiphines, Malasiya, Cambodia, Indonesia, Burma etc were not under any political entity. They adopted Hinduism and Buddhism and traded with India extensively - but India did not invade them.
Scholars have noted this as wel that Indian spread its influence and culture peacefully and traded with its neighbouring countries. It never invaded them.
This only the Asura Western civilisation did.[/QUOTE]
History of more than 1000 years is largely undocumented. Old India, is called “Bharat Khand” (land of Bharat) and it encompasses most parts of Asia and Europe.
I am not saying invasions from Indian kings were violent and “exploited”. What I think is that the most parts of the world were once upon a time were under some rulers who may be Indian/Hindu. For that matter, the terms Indian or Hindu may not be true, however it is my personal opinion.
History as that is there in texts, is just collection of facts which may not be true.
For example, when I have studied French history, it was mentioned that the forefathers of their civilization came from what is now known as India/Indus valley and are aryans.
[QUOTE=Surya Deva;59893]If you are then you are as much a disgrace to your people and your religion as much as a Jew speaking in favour of the Nazis is a disgrace to their own people and religion.
Discussion really over.[/QUOTE]
That is more “nazical” than “jewish”
What exposition, research and forthright adamance ! There is a branch of yoga that uses Knowledge as a means of liberation- I see in these posts some identification with that vehicle ( vehicle is the english word I wanted the sanskrit for before as in Mahayana or great vehicle, I called it religion for want of a direct translation ). I am sure without any exposure to that training that it asks for some openess and humility as prerequisites of true learning. I am a friendly and easy going person who is so much fun at parties I am almost over-qualified to be there. The animosity displayed here with all the name-calling like arrogant and ignorant etc. is unworthy of people who pretend to be religious ( any religion ). I am not nominally a Christian but I know that most Christians I know do not adhere to the part about eternal damnation for nonp Christians and that they do have the correlational goal of seeing heaven as being in the presence of God. It is a view of only the recalcitrant that you ascribe to Christians today , I think. I know of some sects in the Past, like the Deists whose members list many of our founders in America- Thomas Jefferson and Ben Franklin to name two, who did not run with the pack of Christian beliefs; there are different kinds of Christian as I am sure different kinds of Hindu. For most Christians the main belief is the belief in Jesus Christ and if they are decent people they believe most in his love of all, let me say that again, all. Those that came after to establish a Church do like most institutions do, create exclusivity- casting disbelievers into Hell etc. What exactly do you say is the outcome of someone who doesn’t drop his traditions and adopt yours ? Christ basically said Love is all there is. I think I answered at least one of your almost rhetorical questions by dismissing the choices. You seem to be lumping people both Christians and Hindu into large homogenous groups. I haven’t been to India but I am sure the varieties of humans are most likely the same as here. The question to ask yourself is am I treating others as I would want to be treated. Even if you feel the need to correct their destructive beliefs ( It is assuming a lot to think you know ) you would not appreciate them calling you names while they disagree with you . It shows a lack of equanimity which is a core value in the yoga of Knowledge. If by typing here you are essentially reaching out, reach out with love apparent ; or you’ll reap what you sow, to quote the Bible. Nmaste
To avoid any misunderstanding, I have no intention to make people drop their own tradition and adopt Hinduism. The only point I am trying to get across is that yoga is inherently different from the Abrahamic religions, because the practice of yoga is based on the philosophy of Hinduism. It’s important to understand this, not because I think everyone should be duly trained in Hindu philosophy before practicing yoga. Only the simple understanding is necessary that how we conceptualise our thoughts will affect our actions. Hinduism itself formed the conceptual basis on which the practice of yoga was formed. A Christian practicing yoga and going deeper in its practice and philosophy, will eventually reach a conundrum with his own religion, for example on points like suffering, reincarnation, salvation and soul. Anyone who says otherwise is just being polite, is trying to gain disciples or is out to sell books. It’s not my concern how the Christian will deal with this conundrum. But we will unapologetically continue to assert that the universally beneficial practice of yoga with all its facets is still Hindu from the inside and out. How someone uses that information to (not) modify his personal practice is up to themselves. I am not asking all practicing hatha yogis to start chanting [I]hare krishna[/I], but when they do pranayama and understand what they are doing, it should be clear that pranayama is based on Hindu philosophy of the pancha vayus and the nadis, on concepts which are detailed in the upanishads, tantras and yoga shastras, that it is more than just a relaxing breathing exercise.
[QUOTE=Sarvamaṅgalamaṅgalā;59921]To avoid any misunderstanding, I have no intention to make people drop their own tradition and adopt Hinduism. The only point I am trying to get across is that yoga is inherently different from the Abrahamic religions, because the practice of yoga is based on the philosophy of Hinduism. It’s important to understand this, not because I think everyone should be duly trained in Hindu philosophy before practicing yoga. Only the simple understanding is necessary that how we conceptualise our thoughts will affect our actions. Hinduism itself formed the conceptual basis on which the practice of yoga was formed. A Christian practicing yoga and going deeper in its practice and philosophy, will eventually reach a conundrum with his own religion. Anyone who says otherwise is just being polite, is trying to gain disciples or to sell books. It’s not my concern how the Christian will deal with this conundrum. But we will unapologetically continue to assert that the universally beneficial practice of yoga with all its facets is still Hindu from the inside and out. How you use that information to modify your personal practice is up to you.[/QUOTE]
Yoga, as developed by Patanjali and others, is a science and not related to any religion. It may have some “sanskrit” words and terms, but that does not mean that it is somehow “deeply” related to Hinduism. In fact, the number of Hindu people who really practice Yoga in their daily life can be counted on fingers.
This is something like if I go to Mc.Donald’s in Bangalore(India) and eat a burger, then claiming that whole experience is “western/american/Christian”. It is this identification of “burgers” with “western style/Christianity” that is the matter of perception. There is nothing that prevents an Indian to enjoy and relish a burger/pizza, just like a Christian or Buddhist, practicing Yoga and enjoying it.
There are many good Yoga books written by both Indians and non-Indians (one of which is BKS Iyengar’s Yoga book) which explain all the needed sanskrit terms and give detailed instructions. Even, the hard-core Hindus need to follows these English Yoga books, because most of the current Hindus do not understand Sanskrit texts.
Going by the YouTube Yoga videos and DVDs sold on websites, what I think is that better Yoga is currently being practiced in western countries than in India.
In India, we have one guru “Ramdev” who mixes Yoga with politics and other of his businesses. He even wants a copyright to Yoga to be given to him, if one is available !!
And, then we have one guru “Ravi Shankar” whose organization teaches “sudarshan kriya”. This one is good, if practiced daily. One will really feel relaxed and fresh after the course. To me, “sudarshan kriya” is one real improvement and new development of “Pranayaama”.
Yoga, first of all was not developed by patanjali. You can read David Frawley’s article on this. Second, if you study any Hindu darshana closely, you will understand that they are not isolated from Hinduism.
I can also personally recommend you, as a Hindu to a fellow Hindu, to read this book, David Frawley, Awaken Bharata!
There are many good Yoga books written by both Indians and non-Indians (one of which is BKS Iyengar’s Yoga book) which explain all the needed sanskrit terms and give detailed instructions. Even, the hard-core Hindus need to follows these English Yoga books, because most of the current Hindus do not understand Sanskrit texts.
Sure, there are many good books written on yoga.
Going by the YouTube Yoga videos and DVDs sold on websites, what I think is that better Yoga is currently being practiced in western countries than in India.
Yes, the west has been hooked on a Hindu practice, even though many, even in India, are turning it into a fitness fad which is not really what we are discussing here. But none of this changes the philosophical basis of authentic yoga practice.
[QUOTE=Sarvamaṅgalamaṅgalā;59928]
Yoga, first of all was not developed by patanjali. You can read David Frawley’s article on this. Second, if you study any Hindu darshana closely, you will understand that they are intimitely connected to Hinduism.
Sure, there are many good books written on yoga.[/QUOTE]
Does not really matter…!! I am at only a stage of asana and pranayaama 
I may never be able to reach out and practice all the paths/limbs of Yoga.
To me, it is linking up things (Yoga, Vedas, Hinduism, Darshanas), which is actually confusing.
It is like saying that if you want to buy a movie ticket, you have to buy pop-corn as well
Without links/references, nothing exists. It is how God has created everything.
I can take your argument and extend that:
[B]Half of computers are working on “Hindu” system:[/B] Because “zero” is invented by Indians(Hindus) and computers operate in 0’s and 1’s. Interstingly, the remaining half of the computers are working on western philosophy
So, if Yoga -> Hinduism logic is correct, the above mentioned logic is also correct !!
Firstly, my primary intention is also not to force people into adopting Hinduism, but rather to make it very clear that Yoga is a Hindu practice and philosophy and originated within Hinduism. As long as this fact is respected, we have no problem. If this is not respected then this is an obvious negation of our heritage, and then of course we do have problems. An honest person would have no problem in admitting it. It simply disingenious to claim that Christianity has an equivalent tradition, because if this were true, then they could do their own Christian practices, why do our Yoga? The truth is obvious because Christianity doesn’t have an equivalent.
Secondly, as Yoga is a Hindu practice and philosophy that originated in Hinduism it is clear an authentic understanding of this practice requires linking to Hinduism. In the Yoga terms encylopedia forum it will be noted how clicking on yoga will to link a web of other things Atman, Brahman: Saguna and Nirguna, Atman, Prakriti, Purusha, Shakti, Shiva, Vedas. This is because they are all part of the same universe. Therefore a deep understanding of Hinduism will foster a deep understanding of Yoga. There can be no doubt that Hindu members on this forum will have a far more indepth and accurate understanding than non-Hindus on this forum. The non-Hindus should cease behaving arrogantly and pretend they know more about Yoga and Hinduism than those from actual tradition. I have repeatedly exposed on many occasions their ignorance on even basic facts that for an honest person it would have been embarrasing. But it seems we are not doing with honest people here.
Thirdly, you cannot do all 8 limbs of Yoga and not claim to be Hindu. Then you are doing exactly what our scriptures say. You are practicing our morality, our purification rituals and exercises and our spiritual ways to commune with our god. It simply impossible for a Christian to maintain they are Christian and practice all 8 limbs to connect to the god as the pure consciousness within. On the other hand, if they are just doing asanas to keep healthy, flexible and fit, then they are not Hindu, but are practicing one of the Hindu practices.
Most new-age people do not realise that they are Hindu. They accept every major tenet of Hinduism: higher self, universal self, reincarnation, planes of reality, yoga philosophy and practice many paths to god or realization. Many Western yogis doing Hindu purfication practices, chanting Hindu mantras like OM, bringing their hands together at their heart chakra saying namaste and working on their chakras to get prana to flow there better, again do not realise they are Hindu. To these people I say join the wider fold of Hinduism and give back to this divine and ancient religion. So that we can spread this religion to everybody.
[QUOTE=Surya Deva;59931]Firstly, my primary intention is also not to force people into adopting Hinduism, but rather to make it very clear that Yoga is a Hindu practice and philosophy and originated within Hinduism. As long as this fact is respected, we have no problem. If this is not respected then this is an obvious negation of our heritage, and then of course we do have problems. An honest person would have no problem in admitting it. It simply disingenious to claim that Christianity has an equivalent tradition, because if this were true, then they could do their own Christian practices, why do our Yoga? The truth is obvious because Christianity doesn’t have an equivalent.
Secondly, as Yoga is a Hindu practice and philosophy that originated in Hinduism it is clear an authentic understanding of this practice requires linking to Hinduism. In the Yoga terms encylopedia forum it will be noted how clicking on yoga will to link a web of other things Atman, Brahman: Saguna and Nirguna, Atman, Prakriti, Purusha, Shakti, Shiva, Vedas. This is because they are all part of the same universe. Therefore a deep understanding of Hinduism will foster a deep understanding of Yoga. There can be no doubt that Hindu members on this forum will have a far more indepth and accurate understanding than non-Hindus on this forum. The non-Hindus should cease behaving arrogantly and pretend they know more about Yoga and Hinduism than those from actual tradition. I have repeatedly exposed on many occasions their ignorance on even basic facts that for an honest person it would have been embarrasing. But it seems we are not doing with honest people here.
Thirdly, you cannot do all 8 limbs of Yoga and not claim to be Hindu. Then you are doing exactly what our scriptures say. You are practicing our morality, our purification rituals and exercises and our spiritual ways to commune with our god. It simply impossible for a Christian to maintain they are Christian and practice all 8 limbs to connect to the god as the pure consciousness within. On the other hand, if they are just doing asanas to keep healthy, flexible and fit, then they are not Hindu, but are practicing one of the Hindu practices.
Most new-age people do not realise that they are Hindu. They accept every major tenet of Hinduism: higher self, universal self, reincarnation, planes of reality, yoga philosophy and practice many paths to god or realization. Many Western yogis doing Hindu purfication practices, chanting Hindu mantras like OM, bringing their hands together at their heart chakra saying namaste and working on their chakras to get prana to flow there better, again do not realise they are Hindu. To these people I say join the wider fold of Hinduism and give back to this divine and ancient religion. So that we can spread this religion to everybody.[/QUOTE]
This post seems like “Surya Deva” is custodian of Hindu religion and He decides who can be IN and who can be OUT. Be nice with HIM and request a ticket for “Hinduism and its Great Yogic Path to Enlightenment” show !!
The few Christians that I have met do not posses “Yogic qualities”. However, they have reasoning, inquiry, honesty, integrity and focus. These are sufficient for a normal, healthy and responsible living. The “Yogic qualities” may give one liberation and “mukti”, but that does not reflect in current life…may be next “avatar”
Half of computers are working on “Hindu” system: Because “zero” is invented by Indians(Hindus) and computers operate in 0’s and 1’s. Interstingly, the remaining half of the computers are working on western philosophy
Even though you are a troll, I couldn’t resist responding: This is a very poor analogy. The Zero is a secular invention, much like the steam engine is a secular invention. Just as Christianity does not claim the steam engine as Christian, Hinduism does claim zero as Hindu.
Yoga on the other hand is a religious practice Hindu scriptures instruct Hindus to do. The Vedas instruct it. The Upanishads instruct it. The Yoga darshana instructs it. The Gita instructs it. The Agamas instruct it. This is the Hindu practice. As was proven to you earlier even the Bhakti yoga and temple worship incorporates asanas, pranayama etc.
Patanjali did not invent Yoga you ignorant man. He codified Yoga, which was already developed in the Upanishads. Yoga is at the very least 5000 years old. Next time you open that ignorant mouth of yours, do some research. Admit that you have huge gaps in your knowledge and fill those gaps in.
The few Christians that I have met do not posses “Yogic qualities”. However, they have reasoning, inquiry, honesty, integrity and focus. These are sufficient for a normal, healthy and responsible living. The “Yogic qualities” may give one liberation and “mukti”, but that does not reflect in current life…may be next “avatar”
That is good that you have met Christian people who are reasonable, honest and have focus. But I don’t remember ever saying otherwise. In fact I too have many good Christian friends who are lovely people.
We are talking about Yoga and its compatibility with the Christian religion. Focus.
[QUOTE=TonyTamer;59917]What exposition, research and forthright adamance ! There is a branch of yoga that uses Knowledge as a means of liberation- I see in these posts some identification with that vehicle ( vehicle is the english word I wanted the sanskrit for before as in Mahayana or great vehicle, I called it religion for want of a direct translation ). I am sure without any exposure to that training that it asks for some openess and humility as prerequisites of true learning. I am a friendly and easy going person who is so much fun at parties I am almost over-qualified to be there. The animosity displayed here with all the name-calling like arrogant and ignorant etc. is unworthy of people who pretend to be religious ( any religion ). I am not nominally a Christian but I know that most Christians I know do not adhere to the part about eternal damnation for nonp Christians and that they do have the correlational goal of seeing heaven as being in the presence of God. It is a view of only the recalcitrant that you ascribe to Christians today , I think. I know of some sects in the Past, like the Deists whose members list many of our founders in America- Thomas Jefferson and Ben Franklin to name two, who did not run with the pack of Christian beliefs; there are different kinds of Christian as I am sure different kinds of Hindu. For most Christians the main belief is the belief in Jesus Christ and if they are decent people they believe most in his love of all, let me say that again, all. Those that came after to establish a Church do like most institutions do, create exclusivity- casting disbelievers into Hell etc. What exactly do you say is the outcome of someone who doesn’t drop his traditions and adopt yours ? Christ basically said Love is all there is. I think I answered at least one of your almost rhetorical questions by dismissing the choices. You seem to be lumping people both Christians and Hindu into large homogenous groups. I haven’t been to India but I am sure the varieties of humans are most likely the same as here. The question to ask yourself is am I treating others as I would want to be treated. Even if you feel the need to correct their destructive beliefs ( It is assuming a lot to think you know ) you would not appreciate them calling you names while they disagree with you . It shows a lack of equanimity which is a core value in the yoga of Knowledge. If by typing here you are essentially reaching out, reach out with love apparent ; or you’ll reap what you sow, to quote the Bible. Nmaste[/QUOTE]
We are talking about Christian religion here. I am sure there are many lovely Christians, and I have met them myself. I have pointed out myself some denominations of Christianity exist which accept other religions as a valid path to god. You will note I have defended Christianity before from blanket condemnation and recognising the good in the religion too.
However, this does not negate the fact that the Christianity religion on the whole preaches that myself who is non-Christian is damned and going to hell. It does not negate the fact that your own scriptures preach this. This is why you cannot be an authentic Christian and be yogi at the same time. They are mutually contradictory.
"Even though you are a troll, I couldn’t resist responding: This is a very poor analogy. The Zero is a secular invention, much like the steam engine is a secular invention. Just as Christianity does not claim the steam engine as Christian, Hinduism does claim zero as Hindu.
Yoga on the other hand is a religious practice Hindu scriptures instruct Hindus to do. The Vedas instruct it. The Upanishads instruct it. The Yoga darshana instructs it. The Gita instructs it. The Agamas instruct it. This is the Hindu practice. As was proven to you earlier even the Bhakti yoga and temple worship incorporates asanas, pranayama etc.
Patanjali did not invent Yoga you ignorant man. He codified Yoga, which was already developed in the Upanishads. Yoga is at the very least 5000 years old. Next time you open that ignorant mouth of yours, do some research. Admit that you have huge gaps in your knowledge and fill those gaps in.
Yes…I am a troll !!
Who said “zero” is a secular invention?? Just because, you feel it is, it may not be !!!
If “zero” is a secular invention, why not “Yoga”, “Nyaya” (logic), Ayurveda (medicine) and others???
If some Hindu customs make use of “Yoga”, it is just like one using a computer to do work. That may not mean that the computer is that person or that the person is the computer.
Two more analogies:
There was a student in a vedic school. One night in the dark, he was deep in sleep. Suddenly, something fell on him. He started shouting “snake…snake…snake”. Everybody woke up and switched on the light. All that was there was a rope which fell on the student.
Here, the student mistook “rope” for the “snake”
(This is short version of sloka from “Ashtavakra Geeta”. This is considered to be on par with BhagavatGeeta by some)
There are 100 pots full of water and there are clear skies and it is a day. Sun is shining in full beam in all of the pots “as if” there are 100 suns.
Here, the logic is that sun is just one, the reflections of the sun can be infinite.
(This, too is from “Ashtavakra Geeta”).
To summarize:
One should not identify anything (including arts, science, religion) with fixation. What is happening in this forum is false identification which may be true for some (that depends on person)
Yoga could be one. It can equally be linked/referenced from many other things. Source(s) are as good as Sun God. They allow replication of source in many people/systems/religions/faiths/places/practices.
Who said “zero” is a secular invention??
Who said it wasn’t? 
The zero was used for the purposes of making calculations easier. It was introduced by an Indian astronomer and mathematican as a place holder. Duh, since when was mathematics Hindu? I don’t remember the Gita saying, “Now count 1 to 10 and become one with the numbers”
On the other the darshanas are Hindu schools of philosophy and all the doctrines of Hinduism we have today from dharma, karma to purusha and prakriti are developed by them. This is why they are not secular. Everyone of accepts the Vedas as their authority and reference the Vedas and everyone of them teach about Vedic god/s, atman, reincarnation etc Doesn’t sound secular does it?
To summarize:
- One should not identify anything (including arts, science, religion) with fixation. What is happening in this forum is false identification which may be true for some (that depends on person)
Indian culture does not work like that. Like Judaism Hinduism is a religion, a culture and way of life and ethnicity at the same time. There is no separation between art, science and religion in Hinduism as there is in Christianity. This is why there are Hindu schools of philosophy, Hindu medicine, Hindu arts. Nothing is secular, aside from them say mathematics. If you studied Indian classical music you will be performing bhajans and devotional songs. If you studied Indian classical dance you will be learning mudras and asanas that are invocations to Hindu gods. There is nothing which is not religious in Hinduism.
Yoga is definitely not secular. It is a religious practice. How can it be secular if religious scriptures are instructing it? Even the asanas you do and kriyas such as “Surya namaskar” are salutations to the Sun God. They are done in Hinduism every morning at sunrise facing the sun. In Christianity this is called paganism. The Christians hated us for it when they first landed in India - they called us heathens, pagans, demons, beasts etc
[QUOTE=Surya Deva;59939]Who said it wasn’t?
The zero was used for the purposes of making calculations easier. It was introduced by an Indian astronomer and mathematican as a place holder. Duh, since when was mathematics Hindu? I don’t remember the Gita saying, “Now count 1 to 10 and become one with the numbers”
On the other the darshanas are Hindu schools of philosophy and all the doctrines of Hinduism we have today from dharma, karma to purusha and prakriti are developed by them. This is why they are not secular. Everyone of accepts the Vedas as their authority and reference the Vedas and everyone of them teach about Vedic god/s, atman, reincarnation etc Doesn’t sound secular does it?
Indian culture does not work like that. Like Judaism Hinduism is a religion, a culture and way of life and ethnicity at the same time. There is no separation between art, science and religion in Hinduism as there is in Christianity. This is why there are Hindu schools of philosophy, Hindu medicine, Hindu arts. Nothing is secular, aside from them say mathematics. If you studied Indian classical music you will be performing bhajans and devotional songs. If you studied Indian classical dance you will be learning mudras and asanas that are invocations to Hindu gods. There is nothing which is not religious in Hinduism.
Yoga is definitely not secular. It is a religious practice. How can it be secular if religious scriptures are instructing it? Even the asanas you do and kriyas such as “Surya namaskar” are salutations to the Sun God. They are done in Hinduism every morning at sunrise facing the sun. In Christianity this is called paganism. The Christians hated us for it when they first landed in India - they called us heathens, pagans, demons, beasts etc[/QUOTE]
All that you have written above, are your views on Hinduism/Yoga and others.
The tone you are using is, as if you are threating others to not have any other opinion which is different from yours.
You may now proceed and get some copy-right stuff for Yoga and other Hindu things
The vast majority of Indians do not require anybody to protect Hinduism, especially from foreign-based confused desis:p
To me, you are most-probably living in 200 B.C time-line in your mind and one needs a lot of stuff to learn/relearn.
P.S: I am living with 50000 B.C time-line of my previous birth. In my previous birth, I am a vegetarian dinosaur and did some Yoga too !!
So, you are 13 years old?
Sarahpada’s Royal Song
When the deluded in the mirror look
They see a face, not a reflection.
So the mind that has denied Truth
Relies upon that which is not true.
As a Brahmin, who with rice and butter
Makes a burnt offering in blazing fire
Creating a vessel for nectar from celestial space,
Takes this through wishful thinking as the ultimate.
Some people who have kindled the inner heart and raised it to the fontanelle
Stroke the uvula with the tongue in a sort of coition and confuse
That which fetters with that which gives release,
In pride will call themselves yogis.
There’s nothing to be negated, nothing to be
Affirmed or grasped; for It can never be conceived.
By the fragmentations of the intellect are the deluded
Fettered; undivided and pure remains spontaneity.
Now, all I have written above are facts agreed upon by all scholars, if you did your reading you would know this too. Rather than sitting there make one ignorant statement after the other
Look at the topic again: This topic is about whether Yoga is compatible with the religion of Christianity.
Now ask how can Yoga be compatible with Christianity when it is a Hindu religious practice and one of the bibles of Yoga is the Gita where a Hindu god Lord Krishna teaches it. It is not compatible with Christianity, and here is a Christian viewpoint itself on the matter:
Why You Should Stay Away from Yoga
We are bombarded by messages of yoga’s peaceful and healthful benefits, but what we don’t hear, specifically in the United States, is the true origins of this type of lifestyle. Laurette made it very clear to me in a recent phone interview.
“These are postures that are offered to the 330 million Hindu gods. Yoga postures really are; they are offerings to the gods. If you do these postures and you do this breathing technique and this meditation, then you will be accepted by a god, little “G.” That’s the real danger,” she said.
Laurette told me that one of her PraiseMoves certified personal trainers visited India for three months on a mission trip, and she would often see people in the streets doing yoga poses in front of the statues of the gods.
“Romans 12:1-2 says we are to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice to God,” added Laurette. “Here they are doing something very similar with these postures to their 330 million gods, and it is scary. So we abstain from things offered to idols—Acts 15:29.”
In yoga they do what they call pranayama breathing. Prana is the Hindu word for life force, the same concept as the word chi in some martial arts. Yoga breathing attempts to manipulate that life energy, which Laurette believes is perilous. “That is a dangerous thing,” she said, “because I think that we are coming out from under the blood of Jesus when we do stuff like that, and we are no match for the enemy in those areas. I think of what Paul said in Ephesians 2:2, that Satan is the prince of the power of the air. We are not talking about oxygen.”
A third area of concern in yoga is the concept of emptying the mind, which is contradictory to what Christianity teaches. As Laurette explained, “We are transformed by the renewing of our minds, not the emptying.”
Along with emptying the mind, yoga guides people into astral travel, which is where people actually leave their bodies, a practice that Laurette was familiar with and has since questioned. “I wonder with those experiences when I left my body what got in there when I was gone?” Laurette posed. “As a Christian with the Holy Spirit in there, we are not going to be possessed, I don’t think. But one could easily be oppressed.”
Clearly, with this understanding of yoga, Christians should think twice before heading to the local gym for a yoga class. But if you are a Christian who thinks it’s all right to attend yoga classes because you think you are strong enough not to fall prey to the spiritual deception that’s being taught and you enjoy the physical benefits, Laurette pleads in all seriousness that you to please consider a younger believer or weaker Christian who is watching your lifestyle. If you go to a yoga class, chances are they might be inspired to go also, and they could fall completely off track in their walk with God.
http://www.cbn.com/health/fitness/bagby_yoga-alternative.aspx