Christian Yoga

Christian Yoga?”  My take on Christians doing yoga under any Christian banner.

“Take Back Yoga” –  Webpage of the Hindu American Foundation dedicated to debunking the idea that Yoga is not a religion and not deeply rooted in Hinduism.

“Do Yoga Exercises Work with Christianity?”  By Eliot Miller of the Christian Research Institute.  In this excellent article, Mr. Miller takes to task both Brooke Boon and Susan Bordenkircher promoters of “Christian Yoga”.  He debunks one of the key arguments used by Boon, the originator of so-called “Holy Yoga”, that yoga is compatible with Christianity because yoga predates Hinduism.  The fact is that Hinduism developed out of the shamanistic and pre-Vedic culture in the Indus Valley.  Even though it is remotely possible that yoga meditation and postures developed separately, Mr. Miller questions why Ms. Boon then references more modern forms of Hinduism, i.e. both “Hatha” yoga and the highly spiritual “Bhakti” yoga, as the basis for her teaching.   He also discusses the syncretism and logical fallacies associated with assertions made by these promoters of “Christian”  yoga.  This article is a MUST READ for anyone contemplating involvement in “Holy Yoga”.  This article is an abridged version of a three-part series titled: “THE YOGA BOOM: A CALL FOR CHRISTIAN DISCERNMENT” PDF’s available at the following links:

Part One:  Yoga in its Original Eastern Context

Part Two:  Yoga in its Contemporary Christian Context

Part Three:  Toward a Comprehensive Christian Response

“Study: For Most, Yoga Starts as Exercise, Ends in Spirituality,”  From the Women of Grace website.  Discusses NIH study regarding yoga and that people often start for stress reduction and exercise but it is the spiritual aspects of the practice that keep them involved.

Women in Grace’s website posts on Yoga – This link provides a list of all Women of Grace website’s excellent posts and videos on Yoga.

Douglas Groothuis’s posts on Yoga   Douglas Groothuis, Ph.D. is a professor of philosophy at Denver Seminary and has written extensively on the occult and the New Age.  His blog can be found at douglasgroothius.com.

The Subtle Body: Should Christians Practice Yoga?”  by Albert Mohler,  The president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary states:  “When Christians practice yoga, they must either deny the reality of what yoga represents or fail to see the contradictions between their Christian commitments and their embrace of yoga. The contradictions are not few, nor are they peripheral.”

The Meaning of Yoga: A Conversation with Stephanie Syman and Doug Groothuis  by Albert Mohler, An extensive podcast interview with Douglas Groothuis and Stephanie Syman author of “The Subtle Body: The Story of Yoga in America.”

Christian Yoga? It’s a Stretch” – by Mark Driscoll.  Pastor Mark says yoga opens a person up to demonization and he stands by his viral YouTube video on yoga.

Review of “An Invitation to Christian Yoga” by Nancy Roth  – review by Priscilla Friedlander in the Denver Seminary Journal.  Excellent review of Roth’s book.  Friedlander shows Roth’s lack of an integrated Christian theology that allows Eastern mystical concepts to be integrated into her Christian worldview and her practice of “Christian Yoga.”  Excellent article!!

“A Hindu View of “Christian Yoga”” by Rajiv Malhotra  –   Christians that are into so-called “Christian Yoga” must begin to do their research to understand what Rajiv Malhotra is saying before they make any comments regarding the compatibility of Christianity and Yoga practice.

Yoga Uncoiled: From East To West” – DVD Production by Caryl Matrisciana – Excellent resource for all Christians on the roots of Yoga in Hinduism and the problems underlying the Christian practice of yoga.

Yoga for Christians?” A fairly exhaustive webpage from the Christian Research Service references many articles regarding Christianity and the practice of yoga.

“There is no Christian Yoga”   By Yogi Baba Prem, Vedavisharada, CYI; originally from the website:  yogababaprem.sulekha.com.

“Yoga Renamed is Still Hindu”  – Article in “Hinduism Today,” discusses the true nature of Yoga and how it cannot be separated from its origins.

“An Open Letter to Evangelicals” – Hindu evangelists that is.  This 1991 article from “Hinduism Today” is very prescient about the future state of Hinduism in the United States.  At the end of the article, the author states:

“You will see alliances form among Hindus and Christians (probably Episcopalians at first, not the Assembly of God). International conclaves, especially the peace and ecumenical movements, will be deeply affected by Hindus. A small army of yoga missionaries – hatha, raja, siddha and kundalini – beautifully trained in the last 10 years, is about to set upon the western world. They may not call themselves Hindu, but Hindus know where yoga came from and where it goes.” (Emphasis Mine)

”Yoga and Christianity:  Are they Compatible? This article by Chris Lawson discusses  the occult aspects of yoga with much background and references on the true origins of yoga and its incompatibility with Christianity.   This article is from the website:   Spiritual Research Network – A Discernment Resource Ministry

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