Following Jesus and Practicing Yoga

I have had observed some interesting and widely varied Christian responses to the practice of yoga. I have met some who are devout practitioners of this ancient Eastern body wisdom, and I have also been with a Christian who would not walk into a store that sold yoga mats and DVDs because it was "Satanic."

Yoga, at its core, is a way of exercising and disciplining the body to prepare for long periods of meditation and prayer. Certainly it has its roots in Eastern religions, especially Hinduism, but might it provide benefits to Christians who would like to pray with less distraction and meditate on the things of Christ at greater length than they are presently able? I propose that it might indeed. I, myself, do not currently practice yoga with any regularity, but I have done it before, and I can see where it might be quite useful. But, before I go any further, let me take a paragraph or so to respond to the most often heard qualm about Christians practicing yoga.

The main objection I hear from Christians about the practice of yoga goes something like, "Christians shouldn't do yoga because it is part of the Hindu religion," or "Christians shouldn't do yoga because it is the equivalent of practicing another religion and could be inviting some dark spiritual elements into their life, and is therefore a sin." The best way I know to respond to these arguments against a Christian practice of yoga goes something like this:

Pagans, Muslims, and others have studied astronomy for centuries for spiritual reasons that are contrary to the teachings of Christianity, yet Christians have benefited tremendously from adopting these advancements in the study of the cosmos. Should Christians avoid astronomy because of some previous associations with other religions? Mathematics was studied by Muslims for centuries to show how Allah had created the world with order. Should Christians abandon certain fields of mathematics because of their historical association with Islam? Certain tribal groups use different plants for their "spiritual" value in healing certain ailments, and modern medicine has found that many of these tribal remedies are indeed helpful. Should Christians shun certain advancements in medicine because of their association with tribal religions and tribal spiritual beliefs? Coffee was originally used by Sufis to help them stay up late and concentrate during their night prayers. Should Christians stop drinking coffee because it was used in the prayer rituals of Sufis? A hearty "No!" to all of these questions. I could go on and on in this vein, but I think the point is made. Just because people of another faith, religion, or worldview find something useful for themselves, does not mean that it is off limits to the Christian. All things not sinful are ours in Christ. That is part of the redemption of all things. Where there is not prohibition in Scripture, there may be liberty of behavior as the conscience permits. (This is not a licence for loose living. Shame on you if you use the idea of "redeeming all things" as an opportunity for sin. Holiness is a principal teaching of Scripture, Jesus, and the Apostles.)

My conclusion then: if a Christian finds them self very easily distracted during times of prayer or meditation, developing a yoga practice may help to center the mind and enable the Christian to experience times of prayer and meditation with less interruption and with stronger focus. As long as the intention is directed Christward, I can hardly see how this would be harmful, wrong, or sinful. Certainly there is a way to practice yoga that is sinful, but there is also a way to drink orange juice that is sinful. Yoga is no more inherently sinful that astronomy, mathematics, medicine, or coffee. All things from Christ, and through Christ, and to Christ. To Him be glory forever more. Amen.