Yoga & Pilates: Should Christians Practice These?
by Living Springs Retreat Health Educator
Most of us have at some point or another seen someone doing yoga poses. From the eastern part of the world to the west, you can find a yoga studio or a class very easily. The many types and styles of this practice is very obvious when you do your research. You have Hatha Yoga, Ashtanga Yoga, etc. Have you ever considered what the origins of yoga are? Does practicing yoga have a spiritual application beyond just the physical? And more importantly, Christians should ask themselves, “is this an activity that glorifies the God of Heaven and Earth?
Of nearly equal in popularity to yoga, is the practice of Pilates. Pilates classes can be found in nearly every gym or athletic club worldwide. Even thrift stores are selling Pilates videos for people to do in the comfort of their own homes. The same questions arise with the practice of Pilates. What is its origin and is it healthy, spiritually-speaking, for a Christian?
According to an article found on the Yogasix website, yoga has its origins in ancient India. It is “a group of physical, mental, and spiritual practices.” These disciplines developed around 2,000 years ago. According to Yogajournal.com, it is believed to have developed by the Indian sage, Patanjali. This discipline moved to the western part of the world in the late 1800's. The word “Yoga” means to yoke with. According to Yogajournal.com, The word yoga, from the Sanskrit word yuj, means to yoke or bind, and is often interpreted as "union" or a method of discipline.
There are types of yoga that appear to just address the physical side. Yoga originated in Hinduism and remains a large part of some Hindu practices today. For example, Hatha Yoga is believed to open the channel of the body-the spine with physical aspects and stretching. Many people say they can practice yoga and not be involved with the spiritual aspects of it, for example, just do the poses, stretching, and breathing. HOWEVER, it is impossible to separate the subtleties of yoga the technique, from yoga the religion.
There is no yoga that is just physical. An article presented on Beaconmedia.com quotes, “Those who think yoga is little more than a series of stress-relieving stretching exercises may be surprised to learn about true foundation of the multi-billion dollar yoga craze in North America. According to Webster’s New World Dictionary, yoga (coming from an east Indian Sanskrit word which means “union with god” or “to yoke”) is “a mystic and ascetic Hindu discipline for achieving union with the supreme spirit through meditation, prescribed postures, controlled breathing, etc.” Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary defines yoga this way: “Hindu theistic philosophy teaching: the suppression of all activity of body, mind, and will in order that the self may realize its distinction from them and attain liberation.”
Do you think the breathing techniques and stretches in Yoga have a deeper implication? Beacon media article states, “Yoga’s breathing techniques (pranayama) may seem stress-relieving, yet they can be an open door to the psychic realm – inhaling and exhaling certain “energies” for the purpose of relaxation and cleansing. What is Pranayama? According to one yoga website: “Pranayama forms a vital step in the path to ascendancy. (i.e. liberation, freedom or salvation) through Yoga. Pranayama is derived from 2 Sanskrit words – Prana (life force) and Ayama (control). Therefore, in its broadest description, Pranayama would mean the control of the flow of life force.” In other words, pranayama involves manipulation of so-called life-force energy, and is part of the twisted “plan of salvation” through yoga.
In Paul’s letter to the church at Ephesus, he refers to the enemy of our soul as “the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience” (Eph. 2:2). “Air” in the yoga mudra (hand gesture or “gateway”) for Namaste (“I bow to the divine in you”), is a Hindu gesture that predates Christianity. The Bible speaks of praying with uplifted hands or “hands spread up toward heaven.” (1 Kings 8: 22 and 54; 1 Chronicles 6:13) “Let my prayer be set before You as incense, The lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.” Psalm 145:1. In this case, it is not referring to the oxygen we breathe. Rather, Paul is referring to what some call the “second heaven” or “psychic arena.”
The first heaven is the atmosphere we can see (planets, sun, moon and stars). The third heaven is where God dwells (2 Cor. 12:2). Hence, the “second heaven” is that realm in-between, an atmosphere wherein angelic and demonic forces dwell (Daniel 10:10-13). Dabbling in this arena as if it were a playground is certainly not what we as believers are called to do. It can be quite dangerous manipulating “life force energy.” Those who do so are moving into the realm of psychism, magic, and witchcraft—where the “god of this world” as Paul called him has “blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” (2 Cor. 4:4). [Be sure to read "The True Meaning of Yoga" at the end of this article by Yogacharya Vishwas Mandlik, Vice Chancellor of Yoga at Vidya Gurukul (Yoga University). He outlines the true meaning and purpose of Hatha Yoga, the form of yoga taught in most gyms, fitness centers and even churches.]”
In yoga, there is an invitation for another force-spiritually speaking- to take over the body. Yogajournal quotes in an article entitled “Yoga 101”, “Hatha yoga is a powerful tool for self-transformation.” This goes contrary to God's Word, which says, “we are not to be conformed to this world, but to be to be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:2). It’s clear that the “yoke” referred to in Yoga is not to Jesus but to a false god of this world. Jesus wants us to yoke up with Him and no other. He says in Matthew 11:30, “For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light” (Matt. 11:30).
Purvi, a young Indian woman, shares her testimony of her former devoted journey as a Yogi in the video entitled, “Think You Can Be Christian and Do Yoga?” She shares her experience of being demon-possessed from practicing yoga. As a result of her discipline in yoga, she was overwhelmed with suicidal thoughts and even awoke from sleep choking herself. Her physical health deteriorated. Experiencing pain and malnourishment, and even threatening the life of her family (although she herself not meaning to, it was the demon), this young woman recognized her need of salvation and called on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord Jesus heard her cry and delivered her from the demons inside her and freed her sin-sick soul.
In her testimony, Purvi shares that the purpose of all of the breathing, postures, stretches, and chanting means “you're opening yourself up to a demonic realm.” This is what Yoga does. “I'm so glad that I got sick because I got to see the truth of the end of it!” “That Euphoria isn't going to last forever,” she says. This young lady travels sharing her testimony on how the Lord Jesus rescued her from demon possession and she warns others of the dangers of Yoga, as well as the practice of Pilates, which has its roots in Yoga. The Bible says, “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.” Ephesians 5:11.
There are different types of manifestations that you go through when you are practicing yoga. For example, laughing, various sensations, energy from an unknown source to even run around a room. Also, chanting, postures, and vibration, and invocation. Invocation means to call on where there are prayers to certain spirits, who then take possession of the individual.
Some people argue, “Well, I know that yoga has a background of Hinduism, but it’s so westernized now that you can just do the poses for the health benefit. This is a false statement. The truth is, you cannot separate the physical aspects from the spiritual in Yoga. It’s impossible. She quotes, “There is no Yoga that is just purely physical.” It is also psychic and metaphysical. (praisemoves.com) “The Western practice is primarily known as a physical one, however, in Indian traditions the physical exercise is a part of the multidimensional practice; it has a meditative and spiritual core.”(yogasix.com/history-of-yoga)
Another interesting fact about yoga, according to praisemoves.com, “Yoga poses are offerings to the 330 million Hindu gods” (Dr. George Alexander). In her article, Laurette Willis states, “Did you know that yoga poses are offerings to the 330 million Hindu gods?” Can you see a twisting of Romans 12:1 here (“present your bodies a living sacrifice”)? George P. Alexander, Ph.D., who taught World Religions at Biola University, is a friend of our family. Born in Sri Lanka, George grew up in India, the birthplace of Hinduism and yoga. He told us that yoga poses are actually offerings to the 330 million Hindu gods. “Many Westerners who practice yoga today are unaware that the physical positions assumed in yoga symbolize a spiritual act: worshiping one of the many Hindu gods,” Dr. Alexander said. “To a Hindu, yoga is the outward physical expression of a deep spiritual belief. You cannot separate one from the other.” Since yoga is tied so strongly to Hinduism, can there be such a thing as “Christian yoga,” or would that be an oxymoron (a contradiction in terms)? Many practicing Hindus as well as Christians agree that since yoga IS Hinduism, the two cannot be combined.”
So, what do Hindus and true yogis say? How do they define it? TIME magazine featured a quote from Subhas Tiwari, a professor of yoga philosophy and meditation at the Hindu University of America in Orlando, Fla.: “Yoga is Hinduism,” said Professor Tiwari of the Hindu University of America. You may read the full article from the Sept. 5, 2005 issue at: “Stretching for Jesus” – TIME Magazine.
Now, what about the practice of Pilates? The history of Pilates dates back to the late 1800’s by a man named, Joseph Pilates who was originally born in Dusseldorf, Germany in 1880. He studied body building, yoga, martial arts and gymnastics. Many health and fitness enthusiasts today know that Pilates focuses on core strength, flexibility, and proper breath control. What many people do not realize is that you can recognize Yoga poses in the Pilates techniques. For example the “long stretch”, “the up stretch” and “the plank.” Currently the new age movement is starting to infiltrate into Pilates classes which is deceptively dangerous for Christians.
Joseph Pilates developed what is called “Controlology” and wrote a book called, Return to Life Through Contrology. Marguerite Ogle comments about Mr. Pilates' book in an article she wrote, which can be found on her website, Very Well Fit. In the article she quotes, “It is the complete coordination of body, mind, and spirit.” Ogle continues, “As the Pilates method grows ever more popular, the emphasis can begin to shift away from the multidimensional approach to fitness. In "Return to Life Through Contrology," the full potential of the body/mind/spirit approach to fitness comes shining through. The article continues, “One of the most obvious similarities between Pilates and Yoga is that they are both body/mind disciplines. The intent of both is to bring the body and mind together in a way that enhances awareness and elevates the overall life experience of the practitioner. Any mind/body integrative practice can evolve into a spiritual path. In yoga, this intent is often overtly expressed, whereas in the Pilates principles, this opportunity may be acknowledged but is rarely directly addressed.”
The question every Christian should ask him/herself is, “Does this glorify God? Will I grow closer to my Creator through this experience?” If the answer is no, then we should run away!” The devil is incredibly cunning and subtle. 1 Peter 5:8 says, “Be sober. Be vigilant because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” Ephesians 5: 11 says, “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.” As Christians, the title alone “Contrology” should be a red flag that this practice is dangerous. As followers of Christ, we want to be controlled only by the Holy Spirit and no other. Our focus should be going back to the Bible and studying what God has to say. His Word is full of practical instruction. Jesus is our only safety and way to Heaven. Christ says in John 14:6: “I am the way, the truth and the life: no man cometh to the Father but by Me.” Pray and ask the Lord before engaging in any activity that might be questionable, “Father, is this your will?” We will not stumble when we have our thoughts fixed on Him.
In summary, some wonderful alternatives to Pilates and Yoga include: swimming, hiking, cycling, and walking which are examples of cardiovascular conditioning that our bodies need at least five times a week. What about flexibility and core strength? Trying some Static, Active, and Dynamic stretching routines are so beneficial for the body. For deeper levels of stretching for extremely tight muscles, try corrective flexibility using a foam roller or tennis ball. Remember what the Bible says, “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31).
References:
http://www.beaconmedia.com.au/bm/images/docs/yoga%20defined.pdf
www.verywellfit.com/return-to-the-roots-of-pilates
https://www.pilates.com/BBAPP/V/pilates/origins-of-pilates.html