Can Christians Practice Yoga? | Kripalu Yoga classes and private lessons in Knoxville, TN
There are many opinions on this topic and there are valid arguments on both sides of the aisle.
As someone who teaches yoga in the very church I grew up in, whose members have loved me like family (and vice versa) even though my own convictions have waxed and waned considerably over the past couple of decades, and where I strive to lead an authentic yoga experience while being very mindful of what could be a messy clash in theology if conducted haphazardly, I have to say…
…answering that question is like walking a tight-rope.
For what it’s worth, here is my personal opinion: Yes, absolutely, a Christian can practice yoga without fear of damaging their faith. But their faith may change somewhat.
By that I mean, practicing yoga could deepen your Christian faith. Isn’t there plenty of Biblical support for taking care of your body, mind, and spirit? Doesn’t God want us to be more selfless and open our hearts to others?
Yes, yoga stems from orthodox Indian philosophy. But keep in mind that pagan rituals have already become part of Christian life, for example Christmas trees (Germanic tribes hung meat and even slaves off of them as offerings to the gods) and Easter bunnies (symbol of fertility — we all know what bunnies do around the time of the spring equinox, I mean Easter), yet we’re not scared of them.
It could be argued (though it’s not really worth it), that these rituals with pagan roots are of good, neutral, or even no value to the spiritual life of the modern Christian. Yoga, on the other hand, can be of great value, bringing you closer to God by making you aware of what a precious gift your life is and getting yourself out of your own way so you can be in service to others and to God.
It’s the newness of yoga to our culture that is scary. I imagine it raised quite a ruckus among more conservative Christians back in the days when pagan customs like meat trees and fertility rabbits were first absorbed into Christian life.
Yoga helps connect to God
When we pray, we’re talking to God. But when we meditate, we’re actually taking time to listen, rather than telling God what to do all the time. You know, “bless this, bless that, make this happen, don’t let this happen.” Certainly not all the time, but quite often we use prayer as a way to try to impose our will on God.
Yoga is a moving meditation, a time you take for yourself to experience the gifts of your body and breath in the present moment — the only real moment as the past is gone and the future is not yet here — the only time you could share a profound connection with God.
Christian mysticism is rich with such meditative, dare I say yogic practices, called “orison” in the Church. Though mysticism remains alive in the Eastern Church, in the Roman Church it is rare but respected — St. Teresa of Avila, St. Ignatius of Loyola, and St. John of the Cross are examples of saints that had mystical Christian meditative practices.
Unfortunately in Protestantism, evangelical Protestantism in particular, mystical Christianity and meditative practices in general are viewed with some skepticism or downright fear.
Interesting that yoga is filling this gap for many Christians today even though it comes from different philosophical roots, isn’t it?
A common but ridiculous criticism of yoga and meditation is that if you clear your mind, demons could jump in. This is based on hysteria and Hollywood more than fact. When the mind is cleared of clutter and focused, you are completely in the present moment, and so is the Divine. You are full, not void.
It is when you are not in the present — when your mind is “scattered” as opposed to being clear and your thoughts are lost in the past or the future that “demons” like fear, low self-esteem, anger, greed, lust — you know the list — can “jump in” and control you without your conscious consent.
Another approach is to simply take what you need and leave the rest, as the old adage goes. There’s nothing wrong with coming to a yoga class for the health benefits alone. The other stuff won’t hurt you — it’s all love, no matter whether it comes from a tradition born in the Mediterranean or India.
With the exception of the Beginner Hatha Class, we do practice mantra for the healing power of sound. English translations of Sanskrit words are always provided.
Finally and perhaps most importantly, participation in any part of yoga class is always optional. It’s your choice what you do or don’t do, and you need not make any apologies or excuses. It’s safe here. Don’t do anything you’re not comfortable with, physically, emotionally… or spiritually.
For another perspective, please follow the link under “additional resources” to a Christian Yoga site from the resources page.
