Christian Yoga DVD's
Member
You gotta be kidding ?
"Christian Yoga".....?
"Christian Yoga".....?
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Moderator
Staff Member
LeanaJo,
Donnie Ducati in a rather different fashion is trying to tell you that Yoga has its origins in another religion and just by putting Christian in front of something, and using familiar Christian terminology doesn't make it right to use.
I have a break down on what a Yogi actually stated concerning the “hijacking” of Yoga by Christians. You’ll find it interesting.
There’s more I can say, but I’ll wait until I find the article by the Yogi. I smile because whenever I type the word Yogi, I can’t help but think of Yogi the bear. No insult intended to any Yogi's out there.
C4E
Donnie Ducati in a rather different fashion is trying to tell you that Yoga has its origins in another religion and just by putting Christian in front of something, and using familiar Christian terminology doesn't make it right to use.
I have a break down on what a Yogi actually stated concerning the “hijacking” of Yoga by Christians. You’ll find it interesting.
There’s more I can say, but I’ll wait until I find the article by the Yogi. I smile because whenever I type the word Yogi, I can’t help but think of Yogi the bear. No insult intended to any Yogi's out there.
C4E
Member
The thing I have found is that the "PraiseMoves" thing is a CHRISTIAN ALTERNATIVE to Yoga. It says so on the DVD cover. There is also a pamphlet that tells the history of "PraiseMoves." The leader also says that "PraiseMoves" is NOT Christian Yoga.
Yes, Yoga moves are used because it is good for flexibility, etc, BUT unlike Yoga, "PraiseMoves" uses Scripture instead of the Eastern Religion mediation stuff.
Instead of judging it, you should do your homework.
And I do have that DVD. I love the idea of meditating on the Word of God while I am stretching my body
And the woman that leads it after the workout talks about how those watching can have a relationship with Jesus.
The thing that makes 'normal' Yoga so problematic ISN'T the 'moves' themselves, but the New Ageness of it. If a person has a problem with it, than don't do it, but I and my husband have talked about it and we believe it is fine for us.
*gets off soapbox*
Yes, Yoga moves are used because it is good for flexibility, etc, BUT unlike Yoga, "PraiseMoves" uses Scripture instead of the Eastern Religion mediation stuff.
Instead of judging it, you should do your homework.
And I do have that DVD. I love the idea of meditating on the Word of God while I am stretching my body
And the woman that leads it after the workout talks about how those watching can have a relationship with Jesus.The thing that makes 'normal' Yoga so problematic ISN'T the 'moves' themselves, but the New Ageness of it. If a person has a problem with it, than don't do it, but I and my husband have talked about it and we believe it is fine for us.
*gets off soapbox*
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Member
Did you read the pamphlet that came with the DVD? Don't go writing it off because someone on some website said something.
I DID read the pamphlet.
I DID read the pamphlet.
Moderator
Staff Member
Below is an article I came across a few years ago, when I started to see Christian Yoga springing up almost everywhere! I was curious about it. As you will see, it's from a Yogi, who seems rather upset that we Christians would dare take something that rightfully belongs to the Hindu religion and attempt to make it theirs. Scripturally we know that we shouldn't be going to other religions for guidance, regardless of the renaming. Donnie was a bit straight forward with the examples that I'm not sure actually exist, at least I hope not; and our Sister GigglesforGod is quite right in stating rather forthright to not take what you read even here at TJ at face value. That is why I've included the below article so you can see for yourself. The question you need to ask is it okay to take things from other religions, and attempt to incorporate them into Christianity? Do we have a scriptural basis for doing so?
Discernment is not knowing the difference between right and wrong. It is knowing the difference between right and almost right. C.H. Spurgeon
YBIC
C4E
There is no Christian Yoga.
By Yogi Baba Prem, Vedavisharada, CYI, C.ay, C.va
It was quite astonishing to see on the flyer “Christian Yoga! This Thursday night….” I could feel the wheels spinning in my brain. “Christian Yoga”, I thought. Now while Christians can practice yoga, I am not aware of any Christian teachings about yoga. Yoga is not a Judeo/Christian word! It is not a part of the Roman Catholic teachings and certainly not a part of protestant teachings. It is not found within the King James Version of the bible. It is a Hindu word, or more correctly a Sanskrit word from the Vedic civilization. So how did we get “Christian Yoga”?
From this I could conclude that “Christian Yoga” could only indicate one of two possibilities:
1) Christianity is threatened by yoga and is attempting to take over this system that “invaded their turf” pertaining to spiritual teachings and techniques.
2) Christianity is subconsciously attempting to return to the spiritual roots of civilization—the Vedic civilization.
I thought to myself, “why would they want to take over yoga?” Could it be due to the decline of members within the Christian church within the last 60 years? Is this an extensive marketing plan cooked up in some New York marketing guru’s head? Is it an attempt to water down the teachings of yoga and import their own teachings into the system? Or is it that they cannot stand not to own everything spiritual?
I think the best reason might be that yoga, and eastern spirituality, offered answers to the spiritual questions that the spiritually hungry masses had. It offered a practical, rational, logical, and truthful approach to spirituality. It did not contain any form of self-righteous condemnation, but offered love and acceptance to all. It did not prey upon victims with terms such as “Sin” and “eternal damnation”. But most importantly, it had answers! It offered a practical approach to cultivating a relationship with divinity. It offered a systematic approach and an abstract approach to meet the varying temperaments of the spirituality hungry.
The second possibility was that Christianity was itself looking for answers. A small book filled with judgment, inflexibility, and condemnation was no longer fulfilling the needs of the masses or the leaders of the church. Offering yoga classes allowed the Christian to secretly practice Hinduism without having to renounce their Christian tradition.
Possibly by embracing the technology of yoga and meditation, the Christian church could finally return to the idea of love and acceptance that it believed it was founded upon. It is ironic that one religion would need to look to another religion to teach them about love, peace, harmony, and forgiveness. If successful, it could embrace these ancient teachings and save itself from the fate it planted over the last few thousand years.
But possibly in their wisdom, the current fathers of the church realized that their time was coming to a close. So within America they must absorb yoga before they are absorbed by it. This is a common religious view that has appeared numerous times within world history. Then they would immediately move their resources to India. Taking over the country would allow them to own all the spirituality, and then ‘pick and chose’ which tasty spiritual treats they would share. After all they have 2000 years practice with this.
Indian being a loving, peaceful people, openly embraced their brothers from the west. They looked the other way as their temples were torn down. They accepted it as karma as their families were torn apart over differing religious beliefs. The Indians thought it was thoughtful of the missionaries to dress up just like swami’s, to be “just like them” and to share in their kindred spirit.
Of course we are in a great deal of debt to the missionaries as they have single handedly undone the highly discriminatory caste system within India. Well they tried to, …kinda. Even though dalits are not allowed into churches with other castes at times. But putting that aside, they put an end to poverty in India, well…they did purchase a lot of things, such as influence in the media, government, and elections. And of course, Christian militant groups continue to be a tremendous asset to India. They are ready to kill anyone invading their turf, except the Muslims who apparently will kill them back.
Modern day scholars from India frequently present the attitude of “let them have yoga, I am interested in protecting Hinduism.” I have heard this sentiment on numerous occasions, but the reality is that yoga is a part of Hinduism. Allowing one part to be taken from Hinduism opens a door for the distortion of the teachings. We must remember that the roots to modern day yoga comes from Vedic Yoga. The same Vedic Yoga that is the authority of Hinduism. Allowing one branch to be severed from the tree of knowledge will not necessarily kill that tree, but it can produce strain and have an unbalancing effect upon the tree.
Hinduism should reclaim its full heritage and not allow other groups to rename its sacred teachings under their banner, especially when they have no history of those teaching within their own system. If they wish to ‘borrow’ and say this comes from our brothers and sisters in Hinduism, then that is another thing. But frequently groups attempt to privatize the information and present themselves as the original authority. Hinduism should guard against its sacred traditions becoming distorted and taken away.
Scholars at universities should take the stand that yoga is part of Hinduism, though one is one required to be a Hindu to practice yoga. It is important to acknowledge the roots of the tradition; after all we are expected to give credit to the orginial sources within books and research papers, but yet Hindu scholars have ignored this fundamental western view when it comes to their own heritage.
Ref: There is no Christian Yoga : Baba Prem blogs on sulekha, Current Affairs blogs, Baba Prem blog from india - (Link is no longer active but was at the time of posting.)
Discernment is not knowing the difference between right and wrong. It is knowing the difference between right and almost right. C.H. Spurgeon
YBIC
C4E
There is no Christian Yoga.
By Yogi Baba Prem, Vedavisharada, CYI, C.ay, C.va
It was quite astonishing to see on the flyer “Christian Yoga! This Thursday night….” I could feel the wheels spinning in my brain. “Christian Yoga”, I thought. Now while Christians can practice yoga, I am not aware of any Christian teachings about yoga. Yoga is not a Judeo/Christian word! It is not a part of the Roman Catholic teachings and certainly not a part of protestant teachings. It is not found within the King James Version of the bible. It is a Hindu word, or more correctly a Sanskrit word from the Vedic civilization. So how did we get “Christian Yoga”?
From this I could conclude that “Christian Yoga” could only indicate one of two possibilities:
1) Christianity is threatened by yoga and is attempting to take over this system that “invaded their turf” pertaining to spiritual teachings and techniques.
2) Christianity is subconsciously attempting to return to the spiritual roots of civilization—the Vedic civilization.
I thought to myself, “why would they want to take over yoga?” Could it be due to the decline of members within the Christian church within the last 60 years? Is this an extensive marketing plan cooked up in some New York marketing guru’s head? Is it an attempt to water down the teachings of yoga and import their own teachings into the system? Or is it that they cannot stand not to own everything spiritual?
I think the best reason might be that yoga, and eastern spirituality, offered answers to the spiritual questions that the spiritually hungry masses had. It offered a practical, rational, logical, and truthful approach to spirituality. It did not contain any form of self-righteous condemnation, but offered love and acceptance to all. It did not prey upon victims with terms such as “Sin” and “eternal damnation”. But most importantly, it had answers! It offered a practical approach to cultivating a relationship with divinity. It offered a systematic approach and an abstract approach to meet the varying temperaments of the spirituality hungry.
The second possibility was that Christianity was itself looking for answers. A small book filled with judgment, inflexibility, and condemnation was no longer fulfilling the needs of the masses or the leaders of the church. Offering yoga classes allowed the Christian to secretly practice Hinduism without having to renounce their Christian tradition.
Possibly by embracing the technology of yoga and meditation, the Christian church could finally return to the idea of love and acceptance that it believed it was founded upon. It is ironic that one religion would need to look to another religion to teach them about love, peace, harmony, and forgiveness. If successful, it could embrace these ancient teachings and save itself from the fate it planted over the last few thousand years.
But possibly in their wisdom, the current fathers of the church realized that their time was coming to a close. So within America they must absorb yoga before they are absorbed by it. This is a common religious view that has appeared numerous times within world history. Then they would immediately move their resources to India. Taking over the country would allow them to own all the spirituality, and then ‘pick and chose’ which tasty spiritual treats they would share. After all they have 2000 years practice with this.
Indian being a loving, peaceful people, openly embraced their brothers from the west. They looked the other way as their temples were torn down. They accepted it as karma as their families were torn apart over differing religious beliefs. The Indians thought it was thoughtful of the missionaries to dress up just like swami’s, to be “just like them” and to share in their kindred spirit.
Of course we are in a great deal of debt to the missionaries as they have single handedly undone the highly discriminatory caste system within India. Well they tried to, …kinda. Even though dalits are not allowed into churches with other castes at times. But putting that aside, they put an end to poverty in India, well…they did purchase a lot of things, such as influence in the media, government, and elections. And of course, Christian militant groups continue to be a tremendous asset to India. They are ready to kill anyone invading their turf, except the Muslims who apparently will kill them back.
Modern day scholars from India frequently present the attitude of “let them have yoga, I am interested in protecting Hinduism.” I have heard this sentiment on numerous occasions, but the reality is that yoga is a part of Hinduism. Allowing one part to be taken from Hinduism opens a door for the distortion of the teachings. We must remember that the roots to modern day yoga comes from Vedic Yoga. The same Vedic Yoga that is the authority of Hinduism. Allowing one branch to be severed from the tree of knowledge will not necessarily kill that tree, but it can produce strain and have an unbalancing effect upon the tree.
Hinduism should reclaim its full heritage and not allow other groups to rename its sacred teachings under their banner, especially when they have no history of those teaching within their own system. If they wish to ‘borrow’ and say this comes from our brothers and sisters in Hinduism, then that is another thing. But frequently groups attempt to privatize the information and present themselves as the original authority. Hinduism should guard against its sacred traditions becoming distorted and taken away.
Scholars at universities should take the stand that yoga is part of Hinduism, though one is one required to be a Hindu to practice yoga. It is important to acknowledge the roots of the tradition; after all we are expected to give credit to the orginial sources within books and research papers, but yet Hindu scholars have ignored this fundamental western view when it comes to their own heritage.
Ref: There is no Christian Yoga : Baba Prem blogs on sulekha, Current Affairs blogs, Baba Prem blog from india - (Link is no longer active but was at the time of posting.)
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Member
Sorry if I came off a little blunt. This Yoga thing just drives me a little crazy. :angryfly:Meditating while stretching on Gods Word in Worship...its all good.
Member
The Confusion of Titles and Irrelevance of Origins
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.
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.
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Moderator
Staff Member
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
Member
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.
Member
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..
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..
Member
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. :singing:
Member
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.
.......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.
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Member
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
ray::immature:
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
ray::immature: