Can Christians practice Yoga?

Yoga has gained lot of media attraction, especially in US. One pastor has called Christians to abstain from yoga. One person even termed yoga as 'demonic'. There are many young people, especially Christians who are perplexed by this debate in the media. Great Indian columnist Khuswant Singh writes: "The main culprits are Indians who make tall claims for it and the gullible foreigners, chiefly the gullible Americans. Yoga means much the same as the English word yoke – a system designed to yoke the human with the divine."

What is yoga?

Yoga is a practice of three different sets of exercises. First, is a set of physical exercises called as asanas which literally means postures. Second, is breathing exercises done in a rhythm while chanting Om or any other word declared as sacred by the guru who initiates this. These exercises are termed as (pranayama). Third, that is control of senses, that a person meditates or makes his mind empty and communes with the divine is stillness and peace. All these exercises are connected to a spiritual quest of nirvana i.e. deliverance from cycle of rebirths.

"The borderline between yoga of the body emphasizing asanas and yoga of the mind is very thin. Physical yoga includes pranayama with repetitions of sacred formulae."

Is yoga secular (separate from religion) or Hindu?

According to Hindu American Foundation (HAF): "There is the concerning trend of disassociating Yoga from its Hindu roots; Both Yoga magazines and studios assiduously present Yoga as an ancient practice independent and disembodied from the Hinduism that gave forth this immense contribution to humanity. With the intense focus on asana, magazines and studios have seemingly "gotten away" with this mischaracterization. Yet, even when Yoga is practiced solely in the form of an exercise, it cannot be completely delinked from its Hindu roots. As the legendary Yoga guru B.K.S Iyengar aptly points out in his famous Light on Yoga, "Some asanas are also called after Gods of the Hindu pantheon and some recall the Avataras, or incarnations of Divine Power." It is disappointing to know that many of the yogis regularly practicing Hanumanasana or Natarajasana continue to deny the Hindu roots of their Yoga practice."

Patanjali describes the goal of Yoga as chitta-vritti-nirodha or "the cessation of mental fluctuations", a core concept also expounded in Hinduism's Bhagavad Gita: "Thus always absorbing one's self in yoga, the yogi, whose mind is subdued, achieves peace that culminates in the highest state of Nirvana, which rests in me [Lord Krishna/Brahman/Supreme Reality]". Similarly, Swami Svatmarama's opening line in the Pradipika is in honor of the Hindu God Shiva (Siva): "Reverence to Siva the Lord of Yoga, who taught Parvati hatha wisdom as the first step to the pinnacle of raja yoga."[4]

Purpose of yoga

Yoga was introduced by Patanjali in 1200 B.C. According to the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, the ultimate aim of Yoga is to reach "Kaivalya" (emancipation or ultimate freedom). This is the experience of one's innermost being or "soul" (the Purusa). Then one becomes free of chains of cause and effect (Karma) which tie us to continual reincarnation. Yoga is therefore a spiritual quest. However, along the path of yoga, the aspirant also gains health, happiness, tranquillity and knowledge which are indicators of progress and an encouragement to continue their practice. Buddhism and other Eastern spiritual traditions use many techniques derived from Yoga.

Place of mind in yoga

The meditation of yoga is to empty the mind. Hence, yoga cannot make a person creative. "Anything worthwhile is created by restless minds. All the world's greatest artists, musicians, scientists, writers, poets had tortured minds. Your mental equipoise only produces mental equipoise. Nothing else."[5]

Christian response

Be not trapped

Yoga is not a 'secular exercise' but a spiritual process in Hinduism that seeks salvation (Nirvana) from many cycles of births. Hence, Christians cannot practice this with clear conscience.

Christian prayer is unique

Yoga and meditation in Hinduism is based on repetition of a mantra and emptying of mind. "And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words." (Mathew 5:7) Repeating a word or phrase will not edify a person. God will not be impressed by repetition as He is our Heavenly Father. Prayer is conversation with Father in Heaven. Even a earthly father would not be impressed, if a son or a daughter keeps on repeating a syllable.

Christian meditation is unique

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." (Romans 12:2) Mind should not be emptied by renewed. The renewal is possible only with the Word of God. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.(Colossians 3:16)

The mind should be filled with the truth and the truth would enable us to lead a holy life.

Christian should take care of body

Christians are expected to take of their bodies as it is the 'temple of Holy Spirit'. Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him; for God's temple is sacred, and you are that temple. (I Cor 3: 16,17)

There are many exercises that are good enough apart from walking, jogging, cycling and swimming to have a healthy body. A balanced diet also would be greatly beneficial. There is no need to do yoga for taking care of the body.

Challenge

Yoga is not a secular practice as promoted by the media and few people. It is a religious discipline or practice with strong Hindu philosophy undergirding it. Christians should not be deceived by it.