Why I Do Not Promote Yoga

Many of you have asked why I do not promote or participate in yoga. And I think it is time to give a very clear public answer.

We must admit, in recent decades, yoga has become incredibly popular. And while it is marketed as a simple form of exercise that improves flexibility, reduces stress, and promotes mindfulness, it also has a very dark side.

As a Christian, you may assume you can stay spiritually neutral, but that really is not possible in a yoga class; it’s origins, philosophy, and spiritualism is rooted in heathenism and what does light have to do with darkness? (2 Corinthians 6:14).

I will share with you six reasons why I chose not to participate in or promote yoga.

1. Spiritual Roots

Yoga did not begin as a fitness routine. It is a Hindu spiritual exercise. If we believe there is only one true Living God, how can we participate in the worship of a false god? The word “yoga” comes from a Sanskrit term (Sanskrit is the foundation of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism) meaning to yoke or to unite, referring to the union of you with a universal Hindu god called Brahman. This is the highest supreme spirit of Hinduism. This is not a personal god yet is purposed to be the source of all creation who connects all things with the “inner or ultimate soul,” thus, the goal and purpose is to make you god – see next point.

2. The Goal and Purpose

The goal and purpose of yoga is to awaken your divine nature. We are not divine. The Living God Who dwells in Heaven alone is Divine. We are far from the original design for humanity who were originally formed in the image and likeness of God (see Genesis 1:26-28). But though humanity (Adam and Eve and therefore all their descendants) accepted the enemy’s lies over the Truth of God, God loves us so much, He sent a Remedy, His Son, to save us from our sins (John 3:16-17), and to recreate us in the image and likeness of His Son, Jesus (see Ephesians 4:12-15; Colossians 2:6-7) and once again commune with God because He has given us His very mind (see Philippians 2:5-11); His mindset, His thoughts and ways of thinking (see Isaiah 55). Amazing! Yoga is opposed to this redemptive process. See next point.

3. Practices and Poses

Yoga involves more than physical movement, it includes meditation, breathing techniques (pranayama), chanting intended to awaken your spiritual energy and progress you toward enlightenment, ultimately pointing to lucifer as the true light. This is a form of worship that God denounced throughout the Bible and is forbidden in the first commandment: “Thou shalt have no other gods before Me.” Exodus 20:3. And the second is like unto it: “Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in Heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate Me; and shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love Me, and keep My Commandments.” (verses 4-6).

God does not share His Glory. And as His followers, or Christians, we are to be like Christ, giving glory to God in all things (see 1 Corinthians 10:31).

The yoga poses, breathing techniques, and chants render worship/devotion to demons. Chanting mantras such as “Om” or panting, is a call to demonic spirits. While some instructors may present this as harmless and purely relaxing, their spiritual meanings remain intact and will draw you into a different thinking pattern than the Living God, Creator of Heaven and earth, has planned for you and will interfere with the communication through the Holy Spirit. See next point. 

4. Mysticism

Yoga uses energy channels, chakras, and kundalini energy to invoke the divine within. There is only room for one God within us. See next point.

5. Physical and Spiritual

Some Christians may attempt to separate the physical movements from their spiritual meaning. The True and Living God purchased our bodies and they belong to Him (1 Corinthians 6:20). God desires pure and undefiled access to our minds (2 Corinthians 10:3-6) and bodies (Psalm 43:5). God is interested in how we treat our physical life as much as He is in our spiritual life: “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” 3 John 2. We cannot serve both the Creator God and satan, through yoga. See next point.

6. Worship of Devil

Israel of old “forsook God which made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation. They provoked Him [God] to jealousy with strange gods, with abominations provoked they Him to anger. They sacrificed unto devils, not to God; to gods whom they knew not, to new gods that came newly up, whom your fathers feared not. Of the Rock that begat thee thou art unmindful, and has forgotten God that formed thee.” Deuteronomy 32:15-18.

I am sure the Israelites thought they were doing all the good, and had some really good explanations for their actions... But God says they worshipped devils; whether they thought they were or not. There are only two choices. Either we worship the Living God or we worship devils. Those are the only two choices.

My choice is the Living God “Who made Heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is.” (Exodus 20:11; Revelation 14:7).

For these reasons, I cannot promote or encourage yoga. 

This is not a judgment on anyone for we are admonished to let everyone be convinced in his/her own mind and everyone shall give account of himself to God (Romans 14:5, 12).

In our Start a New YOU!® Program I have many videos of exercises that, in my opinion, will not compromise the Christian’s faith.

Blue Skies,

Dana

Dana West, RDN, LD thrives on helping her amazing clients get a new lease on life by embracing health and conquering disease, one step at a time, so they can start living with renewed energy and enthusiasm, doing all the things they love to do again.

You can get a new lease on life too, in her Start a New YOU!® Online Program. Learn more here.