Originally Posted by benfaust

The number Zero has its origin in Buddhism. Yes, the complete practice of Yoga contains Hindu elements; however, we don't research the origins of using herbs for healing or surgery to help fix internal problems or chiropractics for correcting spinal misalignments or the importance of "zero" in mathematical calculations. These things have been proven to be highly beneficial, even though at least three of these four could be traced back to what many would consider new age or occult. If the specific knowledge we use does not contain false doctrines and does not pull us away from Christ, then what religion was practiced by the person who discovered that knowledge is irrelevant.

Drinking wine and eating bread are parts of Christian communion. But just because someone eats bread with wine does not mean they're a Christian, nor does it mean they are taking part in Christianity or communion.

On the other hand, the Bible gives the example of those who do not eat meat because they are afraid it might have been sacrificed to idols before being put in the market place. Paul says that if doing so hurts your conscience, no one should fault you for not eating meat; likewise, if your brother eats meat because his conscience is clean, you are not to condemn him.

I haven’t seen the DVD in question, but it would not surprise me if within the DVD or the accompanying booklet other aspects besides postures and verbiage would not be familiar to the Hindu. Only those with the DVD and the associated reading material will be able to answer. Discussions covering everything from regulating your breathing, repeating mantras, the emptying or silencing of you mind etc are not covered.

It’s not the physical aspects that concern me, rather the spiritual ones. Yoga and Hinduism is less concerned with the flesh then it is in acquiring access to a spiritual consciousness separate from God.

That in itself makes it dangerous. As you know its powers and principalities that we war against. Hinduism utilizes Yoga as a method towards a higher consciousness. So it’s not food we are talking about, but a metaphysical practice. Do we as Christians want to achieve the same consciousness that a Hindu does, through their methodology? I would say no, and my hope is that all Christians would say no.

By the way I'm not condemning anyone. Scripture is also a guide for us to us and when necessary to correct and guide people. Only with Love brother, only with love.
YBIC
C4E

I spent half my life in training for one sport or another. We used all manner of techniques for getting fit, stretching, and for aerobic exercises, all with great success. Not one iota of it was from any eastern religion, or western for that matter. The truth is is that we do not need to resort to or risk contamination from the creations of the powers of this world to enjoy healthful living.

For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. 1Tim. 4:8

mm so much to say.. but in a nutshell, what is called "yoga" in the western world, is only a subset of one item from a total of 8 distinct items that constitute what hindus consider yoga.

this subset is considered least important in hinduism. it is basically what is prescribed to keep one's body fit so that one can concentrate on worship/seeking the truth for hours on ends.

is that something that could benefit people of any faith? does it make christians lose their faith in Jesus because their core muscles are now stronger and their concentration and focusing abilities are better? you tell me..

I have a book on Christian Yoga. I tried it and what I could do I liked. I have a pinched nerve in my back and shoulder so movement limited! When I did it,I put on some uplifting Christian music and it felt really great. Now, I prefer to just walk on the tread mill or around the block.

i would highly recommend this book.
.......No promotion of non-biblical content



by Ray long. I'd post the link from amazon, but i can't as i am new and need 50 posts.

it follows a very objective and scientific approach to yoga poses, purely from a physiological benefit point of view.

n8vflower, hope you heal up nicely soon. yoga is definitely great for issues like pinched nerve, resulting from bad alignment of your spine. unlike chiropractors who will temporarily realign the spine, yoga will gradually make your ligaments supple and strong in the way the body is intended to be. we all pay the price of a sedentary life. yoga is one of the many ways you can take care of your physical self, deepen your mind to body connection.

Thank You californiasun! I have had this injury for 10 years now. I do what I can stand and will push harder sometimes.
bless u!

Yoga is stretching muscles and exercising. If you are doing it to worship a false god, then that is wrong. If you do it because you want to be healthy (yes exercise does profit you a lot physically) and play Christian music or just talk to God while doing so..how is that wrong?
To each their own, but only God and you know if you are doing something to honor Him or paying honor to a false god.
Now, please excuse me, I am going to do some Yoga (stretching exercises) while listening to some Christian metal music and try to keep my temple healthy as I can.
God bless y'all

This is when I heard of this...Christian yoga?
I think it depends how at peace a person feels within themselves. I wouldn't have peace of mind,would be troubled, with it until I did a bit of research on it. My opinion.