Albert Mohler rejects the idea of 'Christian yoga'

Many SBC churches have exercise classes called “Holy Yoga”. Our local YMCA offers yoga exercise classes. More examples of the influence of secular culture on supposedly Bible-believing Christianity.

Is Christian yoga really much different than taking taekwondo, judo, or Brazilian jujitsu?

there is a difference between exercise that involves body movements with poses like Down Dog, etc… but involves no meditation of any kind. This is common. I have seen it all over. I have no problem with this. In fact, I have done it in the form of DDP Yoga as an exercise. Look it up for a thrill (DDP was a wrestler… yes, a TV wrestler that I used to watch as a young man. He started an exercise/wellness business upon retirement.) It is a workout, brother!

“Christian Yoga” seems to be trying to add prayer/meditation to the process.

But I could be wrong.

[T Howard]

Is Christian yoga really much different than taking taekwondo, judo, or Brazilian jujitsu?

I tried doing community center Karate with my son one summer. We did 3 weeks of classes that were fun, with stretches and kicks. I thought, maybe we can continue after the program. The first “real” class started being more “spiritual” in nature so I dropped it.

In my experience Karate required more exposure to Eastern philosophy than exercise yoga. But that is my experience.

Points to Consider: In order to use yoga, you have to strategically sort through and eliminate all of the philosophical/religious elements in order to distill yoga to only its physical exercise components. Is this possible? Is it wise to involve yourself in something so openly based on Hindu/Buddhist beliefs? Aren’t better alternatives available that don’t have the Hindu/Buddhist baggage? Seems like another example of Christians straining to include themselves in popular culture.

John Piper does a good job of describing the worldview roots of yoga and tai chi in this article. https://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/is-yoga-sinful

I’m still up in the air about this. If someone has no knowledge that a particular set of movements is associated with a religious practice, then can they really be affected by the worldview of that religious practice? To most people, “yoga” simply refers to a set of exercise positions and not a religious practice.

Don’t ask, don’t tell. If nobody knows, it makes no difference. If somebody tells, don’t do it around that person. They must have a problem with it, and you don’t want to cause them damage. As for yourself, you know that an idol is nothing, and exercise is a good thing, so go ahead and exercise to the glory of God.

Two Quotes From Previous Posts:

“If someone has no knowledge that a particular set of movements is associated with a religious practice, then can they really be affected by the worldview of that religious practice?”

“Don’t ask, don’t tell. If nobody knows, it makes no difference.”

My Response: Many people during the Tribulation, who accept the antichrist, may not know, at first, that what they are involving themselves in has religious implications. But God will still hold them accountable.

If someone has no knowledge that a particular set of movements is associated with a religious practice, then can they really be affected by the worldview of that religious practice? To most people, “yoga” simply refers to a set of exercise positions and not a religious practice.

Which is exactly why I have no issue with yoga so long as the participants avoid the religious/spiritual component.

[WallyMorris]

Two Quotes From Previous Posts:

“If someone has no knowledge that a particular set of movements is associated with a religious practice, then can they really be affected by the worldview of that religious practice?”

“Don’t ask, don’t tell. If nobody knows, it makes no difference.”

My Response: Many people during the Tribulation, who accept the antichrist, may not know, at first, that what they are involving themselves in has religious implications. But God will still hold them accountable.

Quoting Mohler:

“It is deeply based in both Hinduism and Buddhism and the traditional meditative practices that are inseparable from yoga as physical movement involve those traditional Buddhist and Hindu teachings”

“the mainstreaming of yoga in the United States was driven at least in part by groups such as the Transcendentalists and New Thought, and they were intentionally trying to create a spiritual practice and spirituality that would serve as a clear alternative to biblical Christianity.”

“at the very least we have to understand that there really is no such thing as Christian yoga. If it’s Christian, it’s not yoga. If it’s yoga, it’s not Christian.”

So, Yes, that would be the implication of what Mohler is saying since “placing the body in certain specific positions” (your words) in a yoga exercise class is directly associated with yoga. Our local YMCA advertises one of its yoga classes as helping to provide “balance and peace” in life. Dangerous and Unwise.

By the way, I don’t care who or how many “like” or “dislike” my posts or anyone else’s posts. Irrelevant. I am amazed at the number of people in this forum who defend yoga or, at the least, are open to practicing it. Astounding.

I’ve never taken yoga, but my son and I have spent years learning Taekwondo. In fact, after my old body dropped out, my son continued on to earn his black belt in Taekwondo.

Here were my initial concerns:

• At the beginning and ending of each class we had to bow to our instructors. At first, i wondered if bowing to someone was sin. I learned bowing in eastern cultures is a sign of respect, not worship.
• We were required to fast and meditate as we progressed in our belts or gups / dans. To earn his black belt, my son had to fast for 48 hours and meditate for 12 hours. At first, I wondered if this meditation was opening us up to eastern mysticism. In reality, the meditation consisted of sitting in a dimly lit room silent and still. We were not required to “empty our minds” or meditate on anything in particular. We just had to sit on the floor and not speak. If anything, this practice taught my teenage son discipline and self-control.

Therefore, my son and I could participate in taekwondo with a good conscience before God and man.

I also took a martial art in Junior High / High School and we never, ever, ever touched anything spiritual. I don’t remember if it was Tang Soo Do or Tae Kwon Do but I do remember some of the basic forms and movements. :)
Also, here’s the obligatory “Kung Fu Fighting” mashup link.