Warnings for believers
Christians cannot hope to indulge in what is fundamentally a Hindu spiritual discipline without offending God. The Bible warns us against thinking, “How did these (Hindu) nations serve their gods?—that I also may do the same.”

Deuteronomy 12:30-31 ESV ... take care that you be not ensnared to follow them, after they have been destroyed before you, and that you do not inquire about their gods, saying, ‘How did these nations serve their gods?—that I also may do the same.’ You shall not worship the Lord your God in that way, for every abominable thing that the Lord hates they have done for their gods…

A personal wake up call
Like many Christians, I personally practiced yoga for two years and brushed off those who warned me against it, because I desired improved flexibility and strength over anything else. When I was challenged to choose between yoga and God, I chose yoga. Over time, my heart hardened and my love for God grew cold.

Matthew 24:4,12 ESV And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray… And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.

As I share my research here, I am shaken by my past ignorance about yoga. I hope to bless you with this information.

Basic facts about yoga
The Wikipedia page called Hinduism in the West says that “Hinduism is attracting Western adherents through the affiliated practice of yoga. Yoga centers in the West—which generally advocate vegetarianism—attract young, well-educated Westerners who are drawn by yoga’s benefits for the physical and emotional health; there they are introduced to the Hindu philosophical system taught by most yoga teachers, known as Vedanta.” The Vedanta or Uttara Mīmāṃsā is one of the six orthodox schools of Hindu philosophy.

Yoga cannot be separated from the worship of Hindu gods and Hindu philosophy. And as we know, the Bible warns us that any teaching of philosophy is propagated by “elemental spirits of the world”.

Colossians 2:8 ESV See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.

Here is what some third-party sources say about yoga and its core components.

1. Yoga
“A Hindu spiritual and ascetic discipline, a part of which, including breath control, simple meditation, and the adoption of specific bodily postures, is widely practised for health and relaxation.” (source: Oxford Dictionary)”

A Hindu theistic philosophy teaching the suppression of all activity of body, mind, and will in order that the self may realize its distinction from them and attain liberation.” (source: Merriam Webster Dictionary)

“In Sanskrit, the word yoga comes from the root yuj which means “to add”, “to join”, “to unite”, or “to attach” in its most common senses.” (source: Wikipedia)”In Hinduism, yoga is a form of puja, a means of meditating to connect with the Divine, and a way to develop the multi-faceted self (mind, body and spirit).” (source: Yogapedia)

2. Chakra

“Any of several points of physical or spiritual energy in the human body according to yoga philosophy.” (source: Oxford Dictionary)”

Any of the points of spiritual power located along the body, usually given as six in number. The points are personified by gods and can be released through the proper exercises.” (source: Dictionary.com)

3. Namaste

“An ancient Sanskrit greeting still in everyday use in India and especially on the trail in the Nepal Himalaya. Translated roughly, it means “I bow to the God within you”, or “The Spirit within me salutes the Spirit in you” – a knowing that we are all made from the same One Divine Consciousness”. (source: Urban Dictionary)

“The gesture Namaste represents the belief that there is a Divine spark within each of us that is located in the heart chakra. The gesture is an acknowledgment of the soul in one by the soul in another.” (source: Yoga Journal)

“The reason we use Namaste has a deeper spiritual significance as well. It recognizes the belief that the life force, the divinity, the Self, or the God in me is the same in all. Acknowledging this oneness and equality with the meeting of the palms, we honor the god in the person we meet.” (source: Thought Co.)

4. om

“A mystic syllable, considered the most sacred mantra in Hinduism and Tibetan Buddhism. It appears at the beginning and end of most Sanskrit recitations, prayers, and texts.” (source: Oxford Dictionary)

https://teachinghumblehearts.com/en/yoga-dangerous-spiritual-discipline/

Maybe I’m mistaken, but I don’t know how any of this has to involve worshiping any god. How about basic meditation and breathing techniques?

There are many innocent things that we do, which we will probably be forgiven for because of our ignorance, but might might have to reap the repercussions if we continue in them after being enlightened.

But the question is, if you do yoga strictly for its health and wellness benefits, while meditating on the things of God and the Holy Spirit, would that be a bad idea?

yawn

Deluded souls everywhere

Abeg rest... Take yoga ONLY as an exercise and rest.
No wonder those mummy G Os be looking like overfed hippos while the Pastor is running after the slimmer, sexier and fitter choir members.

Indeed,in religion, brain is not needed

If Yoga is Hindu then you need run from it.

What about those who worship three in one gods?

As long as you don't focus on any image of a deity while practicing ,there's nothing wrong in yoga body exercises and its breathing and meditations techniques.

AntiChristian:
If Yoga is Hindu then you need run from it.

What about those who worship three in one gods?

Why don't you run away from drinking water since some people worship it?

triplechoice:


Why don't you run away from drinking water since some people worship it?

Running away from water means I support them.

AntiChristian:


Running away from water means I support them.

You said if yoga is Hindu, people should run from it

Why?

triplechoice:


You said if yoga is Hindu, people should run from it

Why?

They're idolatrous.

AntiChristian:


They're idolatrous.

How does that prevent anyone from enjoying the benefits from practicing the yoga exercises?

triplechoice:


How does that prevent anyone from enjoying the benefits from practicing the yoga exercises?

Look for your benefits elsewhere.

AntiChristian:


Look for your benefits elsewhere.

Who are you to tell me ?

triplechoice:


Who are you to tell me ?

An advice is meant to be accepted or rejected. Freewill.

AntiChristian:


An advice is meant to be accepted or rejected. Freewill.

When you don't know what you're advising on?

Isn't it an irony then that the two books you quoted from are actually from the holy book of another religion and there was no point where "it is written" in the bible that the Christian bible be a merger of the holy book of Judaism and a selection of 'Letters' of some disciplines?

Who even said these books be merged? Who decided which book finds it's way to the bible?

It beats me how you managed to pitch Yoga against God, like for real? How does Yoga despise God?

Let me leave you with this: If you take a person with problems and place them in heaven, they would courrupt heaven. Not that heaven is bad...

Jesus practice yoga and meditation

triplechoice:


When you don't know what you're advising on?

He’s a well-known moslem being sarcastic. He was pulling your leg

CanadaOrBust:


He’s a well-known atheist being sarcastic. He was pulling your leg

Not true.

He is not an atheist but a Muslim

triplechoice:


Not true.

He is not an atheist but a Muslim

True. Either way, he was pulling your leg

CanadaOrBust:


True. Either way, he was pulling your leg

How was he pulling my leg?

Antichristian is Muslim and nearly everyone one this board knows this to be true. You need to go through is profile to confirm

triplechoice:


How was he pulling my leg?

Antichristian is Muslim and nearly everyone one this board knows this to be true. You need to go through is profile to confirm

Now I think about it u may have a point. Just that he seemed aiming for sarcasm here: