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Post by findtruth on Jun 18, 2019 5:22:46 GMT -6
Christian Yoga: Bringing the Kundalini Spirit Into the Church By Geri Ungurean I found this article on the dangers of yoga and similar practices. Yoga stems from Hindu and Buddhist beliefs. It has become a common practice in today's society, even among Christians as a form of stretching and exercise. However, yoga also practices a type of meditation, such as clearing the mind and deep concentration and the power in the body. This is a very dangerous practice. As a Christian, we should never clear our mind. Instead, we should always fill out mind with scripture , the worship of God and prayer to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
I have a Christian friend who attends all types of yoga classes. She recommended that I try it because my balance is way off because of a car accident years ago when I broke my femor bone. One leg is shorter than the other. Anyway, I decided, by her advice to attend a yoga stretching class to help my balance. It was not at all what I expected. It turns out that each stretching pose stood for something mystical in their belief system. I also was not expecting the meditation after the exercises. It felt very dark . I prayed the whole entire meditation time to God and scripture in the Bible instead of what the instructor wanted us to do.
Recently, I heard of a church advertising ' Christian' yoga classes. How can darkness and light occur at the same time, it can't!!
I wanted to get the word out about this deception and my experience with it and how dangerous it can be. I am very thankful that I have the holy spirit living within me, being a born again Christian and a Christ follower. I am also thankful that I realized right away what it was and was not deceived. I immediately ask God for his forgiveness . I love Him and do not want anything to come between my relationship with Him.
I am posting this to help others through the direction of the holy spirit prompting me. Please look up the article listed at the top of this post for further details. Thank you and God bless you!
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Post by kjs on Jun 18, 2019 7:09:11 GMT -6
This is another one of those area's where people point to various items within a practice and claim it is evil and should be avoid -- because of someone else's opinion (without thinking it though for themselves).
Is YOGA decedent from Hinduism, Buddhism? Absolutely -- no argument there. The pointed to article (written way back in 2016 by the way) -- deals with the history of Yoga and how it developed and of course the meditation. Ok, forewarned -- great.
The Movements -- ARE NOT evil (or take one down a dark path) ... they are exercise movements that do a body good!
Meditation -- we are commanded in the bible to meditate on God's word {Psalm 1:2; Psalm 104:34; Psalm 119:97-99; Psalm 49:3; Philippians 4:8; Joshua 1:8} - [ this list could go on and on ]
We need to focus on delighting in and meditating on the Word of God. We focus on praising God and His works. His creation, His Love, His Power.
By All means -- DO NOT Meditate by emptying your mind -- but instead Meditate on God's glorious Power and Love......
Do the exercise (the movement) Do the meditation -- focusing on Jesus Christ and His might works.
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Post by findtruth on Jun 18, 2019 7:35:09 GMT -6
Yes, always focus on Jesus! I have personal experience from going to an actual class and seeing it for myself. It is not of God and should be avoided.
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Post by Natalie on Jun 18, 2019 7:45:02 GMT -6
I'm with you, findtruth . Yoga means yoke. The point of yoga is to unite a person with god (the hindu god in this case). The movements are part of the practice to unite the person to that god. It is not just exercise. There are plenty of ways to stretch and exercise without yoga. As one author I read wondered - Can a person practice the movements used to reach the Hindu gods without actually reaching the Hindu gods? I have never gone to an actual class, but I have done much reading about yoga, meditation, and visualization. From what I have read, those in the Hindu religion say you cannot separate the physical and spiritual when doing yoga even though Western culture says otherwise. I know that Acts 15:20 is in the context of food sacrificed to idols, but to me this is an offering to idols; it is exercise polluted by idols. And 1 John 5:21 keep yourselves from idols. The Bible also says that demons are behind idols. (like Deut 32:16-7, 1 Cor 10:20) There is a spiritual battle going on, and Satan is working as hard as he can. I think it's why yoga has become so popular in elementary schools. Get the kids while they are little.
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Post by Natalie on Jun 18, 2019 8:34:21 GMT -6
kjs, not sure about your comment of "written way back in 2016 by the way" Are you wanting an older source? My mom and dad came up to visit last week and left me a book my dad had gone through with his Sunday School class in 2001. It was written in 1994 and warns about yoga.
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Post by kjs on Jun 18, 2019 10:55:35 GMT -6
kjs , not sure about your comment of "written way back in 2016 by the way" Are you wanting an older source? My mom and dad came up to visit last week and left me a book my dad had gone through with his Sunday School class in 2001. It was written in 1994 and warns about yoga. No, my comment on the age is simply because the O.P. seemed to imply this was an immediate event when it was actually in discussions way before that -- your example show back in the 90's.
My point (which I still believe is valid) --- if you treat it as simple stretching exercise and treat the meditation as a chance to praise and worship Jesus Christ.... then No, I do not believe there is any harm or "evil" associated with it.
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Post by Natalie on Jun 18, 2019 11:36:38 GMT -6
Thanks for the clarification KJS!
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Post by mike on Jun 18, 2019 14:51:31 GMT -6
When I workout many of my stretches are along the lines of yoga. Much of my time in the gym is spent meditating. I say things like "Lord why am I torturing myself" or "Father help me" and all I ever hear is "my Grace is sufficient for you, my strength is made perfect YOU WEAKLING" ROFL😁
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Post by cwood85 on Jun 19, 2019 20:37:19 GMT -6
This is one of those things where I relate Baleem as being the evil thing or cursed and God blesses the curse, not once but twice Paul says if you eat food from idols but are thankful to God and not the idols, it doesn’t matter that it was sacrificed for idols. Why? Because it’s food and God made the animals and plants it comes from, not the idol. Doing yoga to a make believe god or as in a form of worship to yourself is not good. Doing the stretching and not getting into all the chakras is just stretching. I meditate as well, I have to or I would be able to focus on reading and studying of any sort. I even meditate before I pray because my mind wanders in 50 directions all the time. But whenever I meditate I keep my eyes on Jesus. When doing yoga type stretching, thank God for being able to exercise and trying to be healthy. God isn’t going to punish someone for trying to take care of themselves. He is in the business of taking a curse and turning it into a blessing. ❤️☺️
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Post by findtruth on Jun 20, 2019 3:40:44 GMT -6
This is one of those things where I relate Baleem as being the evil thing or cursed and God blesses the curse, not once but twice Paul says if you eat food from idols but are thankful to God and not the idols, it doesn’t matter that it was sacrificed for idols. Why? Because it’s food and God made the animals and plants it comes from, not the idol. Doing yoga to a make believe god or as in a form of worship to yourself is not good. Doing the stretching and not getting into all the chakras is just stretching. I meditate as well, I have to or I would be able to focus on reading and studying of any sort. I even meditate before I pray because my mind wanders in 50 directions all the time. But whenever I meditate I keep my eyes on Jesus. When doing yoga type stretching, thank God for being able to exercise and trying to be healthy. God isn’t going to punish someone for trying to take care of themselves. He is in the business of taking a curse and turning it into a blessing. ❤️☺️ Have you ever been to a class? It is way different than stretching on your own or looking at stretching videos. The instructor actually has you meditate on parts of your body. The chkaras mentioned are not of God. It is a deception and in my opinion, opens up the occult. I would not take such a strong stance if I never experienced this for myself.
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Post by stormyknight on Jun 20, 2019 5:36:48 GMT -6
This is one of those things where I relate Baleem as being the evil thing or cursed and God blesses the curse, not once but twice Paul says if you eat food from idols but are thankful to God and not the idols, it doesn’t matter that it was sacrificed for idols. Why? Because it’s food and God made the animals and plants it comes from, not the idol. Doing yoga to a make believe god or as in a form of worship to yourself is not good. Doing the stretching and not getting into all the chakras is just stretching. I meditate as well, I have to or I would be able to focus on reading and studying of any sort. I even meditate before I pray because my mind wanders in 50 directions all the time. But whenever I meditate I keep my eyes on Jesus. When doing yoga type stretching, thank God for being able to exercise and trying to be healthy. God isn’t going to punish someone for trying to take care of themselves. He is in the business of taking a curse and turning it into a blessing. ❤️☺️ Have you ever been to a class? It is way different than stretching on your own or looking at stretching videos. The instructor actually has you meditate on parts of your body. The chkaras mentioned are not of God. It is a deception and in my opinion, opens up the occult. I would not take such a strong stance if I never experienced this for myself. findtruth, if you are still attending these classes, here actually is a good place to strengthen your faith and mind. Polish your armor, so to speak. The instructor is just human and you know that what you should do comes from our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ His Son. So if what the instructor tells you goes against what the Spirit teaches you, don't do it. Like the others' here have said, meditate on Jesus. Ask Him to help you focus on Him. Meditate on why you are there and find joy in strengthening the temple God gave you, because that is what you are doing. Sealing up the cracks, patching the roof, shining up the doorknobs, etc. Our physical bodies need maintenance. How better to know where it's hurting than to meditate on each part and be aware of what that part needs so you can repair it. Not visualizing some imaginary point in your body, but actually feeling the muscles tense and relax or the joints as they bend. It is well documented that keeping a positive mind helps you stay healthy and I can attest, as I'm sure others' here can as well, staying focused on Jesus Christ helps you keep a positive mind. Thank you for bringing this subject up. I'm sure a lot of people wondered if it was ok or not to do yoga.
All to the Glory of God! It's not easy. If it was easy the whole world would be doing it. .
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Post by Natalie on Jun 20, 2019 7:25:41 GMT -6
findtruth , from my understanding, the farther along one gets in yoga the deeper it goes. For example, visualization exercises become where one might meet spirit guides. A teacher at my kids' school (who had become a yoga instructor) was doing visualization stuff with her kindergarten class. I am sure that she meant no harm, but knowing what I know, I was so glad that my kids were no longer that age. The next year they hired her to teach PE, which meant my daughter would have her. Thankfully some of us parents talked to the principal and got the teacher to at least agree not to do visualization (and the breathing exercises). My daughter didn't participate in the yoga part of PE, which they seemed to do every day. But even through the "innocent" yoga she was doing, it gets kids (and their parents) hooked on it. It's made to seem like fun stretching. She even renamed the poses into things the kids would remember. Animal names and such. Some people will just leave it at the level of stretching, but there are those who go on to take more advanced yoga. I believe that's where the danger is. It's not necessarily in the people just doing a few yoga poses before they workout, but it's those who continue to get deeper in to it. The ones who attend classes like you experienced. (Although personally I feel that I could not do any exercise/stretch that I knew was yoga)
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Post by mike on Jun 20, 2019 7:31:12 GMT -6
findtruth I have been in gyms since the age of ... well lets just say for over 30 years. I am not sure I understand your precise situation or experience as I have not attended a yoga class. However in my gym experiences I have thought "I should separate myself from this (insert any) activity as I may give the appearance of supporting or condoning it." Quick side bar - we could potentially add any list of activities to this and apply similar principles. Removing oneself from the yoga class and doing the exercises at home or alone someplace within the setting would alleviate the exposure to darkness you experience within the class. And that would be fine for you. If your conscious is telling you that you shouldnt be there, remove yourself so you are not poisoned or led astray. However if you are not affected by the spirit in the room, standing with your armor and ready to do battle, then do so. Prayerfully ask the Lord before each class to use you to bring light to someone/several. Perhaps after class you engage in discussion with some of the attendees about how the class went. This could be the open door to explain your convictions. Maybe it happens on the first try, maybe not - some witness takes time (1Cor 3:6)
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Post by kjs on Jun 20, 2019 7:56:29 GMT -6
Your original post suggested you were lead into yoga to correct a problem from an old accident. I get the feeling you are objecting to the chants and empty meditations -- so do not participate in those portions....
As I said in my original reply we Christians are instructed to meditate on the Lord Jesus Christ; we are instructed to enter His presence with praise and worship. Most of us do not do enough of it (in my opinion). I say take the class but focus on praising God.
Or leave the class -- taking the stretching exercise and do both at home. If you like open your home to bring others in and Have a Praise-a-cise class of your own.
There is nothing wrong with taking "good things" and incorporating them in different ways -- you OP said you started because you expected to receive help for you condition.
Therefore in my opinion, do the stretching and exercising for your condtion and leave the rest by the wayside .... but I think turning it into a worship / praise time would be even better.
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Post by rt on Jun 20, 2019 8:12:15 GMT -6
Yoga is a gateway into the spirit realm. Yes I believe one may participate in yoga moves and be completely innocent of any spiritual deviation from their faith in Christ. But as others have said it has the potential to take one deeper into the spirit realm and down a path away from Christ. As a believer I am especially troubled by the idea that churches are promoting yoga as a form of exercise. As the church we are to hold up the light of Christ, yet we bring these practices of other faiths into the church. This sends mixed messages to those outside the body of Christ, and also to those less mature in their faith, who may see no harm in taking the deeper plunge into the spiritual practices that go along with yoga. And who is conducting these yoga sessions? Many churches that promote yoga do so under the "Holy Yoga" movement. They employ the mystical tenants of the practice but make the claim that it is solely to point people to a deeper more meaningful relationship with Christ. Since when do we as believers need to practice any form of "exercise" or "discipline" to enhance our relationship with Christ. This from their site: holyyoga.net/about/what-we-believe/Fasting, meditation and prayer are all spoken of in scripture, but performing some form of ritual exercise is not. This is clearly a blurring of concepts, a mixing of truth with lies, which is like mixing oil and water. This also from the site: The stated goal is a deeper relationship with God, with the benefits of healing, rest and community, a fresh encounter (with God?) a new beginning? These are things we should not need any spiritual discipline to gain, they are freely given to us by Christ as we yield to the Holy Spirit in our lives. This is what troubles me, this blending of mysticism with Christianity, not necessarily the poses of yoga by themselves.
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