Why Christians Should Avoid Yoga?
- May 5
- 3 min read
Updated: May 5
Many believe that Yoga is just stretching and exercise, and that it is not spiritual, but don’t be deceived!
Over 12 years ago, I started participating in yoga, thinking it was harmless. My father lightly expressed to me his concerns saying, “Christians should not do yoga”. In the moment, I thought he was being extreme or overly “religious” and disregarded his comment. One day, I was sitting in the living room and the Holy Spirit gave me a flashback of the comment my dad had said. At this point, I had participated in two sessions of yoga already, but I felt prompted to look into what he said. I started to research Yoga and I was horrified as to what I found. I learnt from previous yoga instructors how spiritual it really was. I instantly repented to God, making a decision I would never do Yoga again!
What I found out:
The Purpose of Yoga
The word Yoga (yuj) means “to yoke” or “to join or unite”. The goal is to yoke the individual consciousness to "open your third eye" (self-worship, which opens you to the demonic spirit that coils around the back until you reach the level of consciousness that allows you to “opening your third eye”) or to yoke with "divine" energy (idolatry & demonic spirits).
Funny how the devil’s lies haven’t changed much over time:
“For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” Genesis 3:5
Moreover, the class may begin and end with saying “Namaste” which translates to “the god inside me bows to the god in you”. This once again contradicts Christian beliefs.
Can it just be physical exercise or stretching?
The point of Yoga and meditation, according to the ‘Bhagavad Gita’ (Hindu scriptures), is for the individual to connect with their own “god consciousness”. They also teach that there is a serpent coiled around their spine waiting to be awakened through this Yoga discipline, and when it does you become divinity. Yoga’s very origins are found in Hindu scriptures.
Yoga poses as worship to Hindu gods: Yoga poses are designed to use your body to honour and worship different Hindu gods and channel “spiritual energy”. Not only are positions designed to associate with the different deities, but many positions are even named after the different Hindu gods.
Opening a foothold for the demonic
Fast forward many years: when I started doing deliverances, I realised how Yoga cannot be taken lightly at all. I witnessed people who had unknowingly invited demonic spirits through their practice of yoga, creating a legal spiritual "foothold". Interestingly, several individuals also reported that their chronic back pain, which they had had for years, disappeared instantly after they repented of yoga and sought deliverance.
Can we do Yoga as Christians?
Given the origin, purpose, goals and meanings behind Yoga, it is impossible to separate the spiritual and physical side. There is no such thing as a ‘Christian version’ of yoga, because you cannot change the foundational spiritual intent and design behind the practice by simply renaming it or changing the background music. Yoga goes against the Bible’s instructions for not only idol worship, but also self-worship (2 Timothy 3:1-3).
Our body is a temple for the Holy Spirit, not Hindu gods. Scripture reminds us that we serve a jealous God (Exodus 20:3-5, 1 Corinthians 10:21, 2 Corinthians 6:16-17) in that He is zealous for His relationship with us and we are not to ruin this by getting sidetracked with idolatry.
“Therefore, my friends, flee from idolatry” 1 Corinthians 10:14
What if I have been doing Yoga?
It’s never too late to repent! Don’t do Yoga anymore and pray to God, asking for His forgiveness and to set you free from any open doors/footholds created from Yoga. You will be free and forgiven indeed.
What exercise can I do instead?
It is wonderful that we want to try and look after our body, the temple of the Holy Spirit. Other alternatives could include functional stretching, Pilates (if it is not mixed with Yoga), strength training or mobility exercises. Anything that does not have a spiritual root, emphasis or origin.
"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." 1 Corinthians 10:31
