As Elliot Miller describes,The eight limbs of yoga involve strict moral, physical, and mental disciplines. The following is a quick summary of each and a brief example of how each system of yoga has infiltrated itself into our current Western thinking and way of life. Christianity is one religion, however, that has not . What does yoga mean for Hindus, Christians in the U.S., and Christians in India? The first was Disciplines for Christian Living: Interfaith Perspectives (Paulist, 1993), and the second grew out of my weekly class which led first to a weekend and then a week-long retreat and, finally, a book: Prayer of Heart and Body: Meditation and Yoga as Christian Spiritual Practice (Paulist, 1995, now in its 5th printing). Even if some people describe yoga as a spiritual practice, modern yoga has taken the name, a few Sanskrit words, and not much else of ancient philosophical yoga. This would be like saying you cant read the Bible if you are not a Christian. FAQs About Not surprisingly, this system of yoga is also associated with visualizationthe belief that you can manifest reality by imagining what you want. Scripture says, whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31). Most Christians just enjoy the unique stretches. And what does the word yoga even mean? They have a right to be offended as much as we would be equally offended if they underwent Christian baptism or communion while denying any religious connection and secularizing it or doing it in a Hindu way. Still, the Bible says to be self-controlled and alert (1 Pet. Of course, the Word of God and Jesus is inclusive and for everyone, just like the practice of yoga. Yoga appeals to many people of different cultures and beliefs, but if you teach Christian Yoga, then you are helping your students learn more about God and what the bible says so that they will become Christ-like. for the Christian Body and Soul Brooke Boon 151 Kindle Edition 1 offer from $1.99 Stretching Your Faith: Practicing Postures of Prayer to Create Peace, Balance and Freedom The contradictions are not few, nor are they peripheral, Mohler said. Especially in a culture that is incredibly busy, noisy, and fast-paced; slowing down to practice yoga (asana) can offer a time of restoration and reflection that is often welcome for many over-stressed and burdened people. Yoga Therapy Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy| American Council of Exercise Educator | Christian Yoga Association Master School, Specialty Christian Yoga Teacher Trainings, Ra , Pneuma and Pranayama for the Christian Yogi. This part of the Sun Salutation stretches the torso, as you look upward and arch your back with hands planted firmly below shoulders on the mat with toes gently resting behind. About As a Christ-follower, you cant affordnotto find stillness and meditate with Him daily. This exchange caused my message box to fill up fast. Yoga is simply definedasunion, unite, or to be yoked. incorporated into many groups and various organizations. They are (1) moral restraint, (2) religious observance, (3) postures (asanas), (4) breath control (pranayama), (5) sense withdrawal, (6) concentration, (7) meditative absorption, and (8) enlightenment (samadhi). Inhale Him, exhale you. This life force manifests as spiritual beings (Christians realize these are demons) that manipulate the course of world events. Your worship is to be aimed at Christ alone. Prayer in motion. According to yoga historian Mark Singleton, Some scholars have found evidence of early yogic practice in the archaeological artifacts from the Indus Valley civilization in Sind, which developed from about 2500 BCE.The posture exercises that most people consider to be yoga today had little or nothing to do with how the practice originally developed:In spite of the immense popularity of postural yoga worldwide, there is little or no evidence that asana [posture] (excepting certain seated postures of meditation) has ever been the primary aspect of any Indian yoga practice traditionincluding the medieval, body-oriented hatha yogain spite of the self- authenticating claims of many modern yoga schools. There is danger in interpreting the results obtained through yoga practice as spiritual benefits. In the Middle Ages (500-1500 BC) numerous variations and practices stemmed from the common Hatha yoga practice. Falling Into Grace These poses have an alternate meaning in Hinduism. Certification Renewal, Articles Hatha yoga is the aspect of yoga that focuses on the physical body through special postures, breathing exercises, and concentration or meditation. This beautiful and ancient gift of yoga was never meant to be exclusive, belonging to one person or a specific group of individuals; that in itself would be un-yogic. Yoga is inclusive, meaning that all are welcome no matter what walk of life you come from. Any person is welcome to enrol in the training programs as long as they are respectful of the Christian faith and are able to practice yoga under these system of beliefs. Historically, there are seven types of yoga that have developed, each with their own systems and ways of reaching samadhi, which is not surprising given the pluralistic nature of Eastern religions that generally offer many paths to enlightenment. The same work, when done with the right mental attitude . To Become a Christian Yoga Instructor? It isnt the truth that will set you free, it is the truth that you know that will set you free. Humans possess divine power unlimited by any deity. Classical Yoga: Also known as eight (ashta)-limbed (anga) practice. If you feel a resistance in your spirit to yoga exercises for spiritual reasons, then you need to stop practicing it. Prayer of Heart and Body : Meditation and Yoga As Christian Spiritual Practice, Paperback by Ryan, Thomas, ISBN 080914056X, ISBN-13 9780809140565, Like New Used, Free shipping in the US<br><br> 300 Hour Training Hatha Yoga: This system of yoga is based on physical activity and is the type of yoga most commonly practiced in the West. Listen to the Podcast on SoundCloud. Guiding Principles It starts with the 100 hour teachers training, where you will be introduced to the Christian Yoga beliefs and principles, it is based on the key principles of worship and prayer using yoga. And there is a spiritual world ( Ephesians 6:12 ). Some attend traditional classes and pray to Jesus or reimagine Sun Salutations as. Yoga is set apart from any other physical activity as a mind, body and spirit practice. . The history of yoga is overwhelmingly spiritual in practice and the postures of yoga are only one aspect of yoga, and they are part of a broader system aimed at union with god and attaining enlightenment. Call it peaceful, spiritual or, yes, religious. The historic purpose behind yoga, therefore, is to achieve union with the Hindu concept of God. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. How might chakras or kundalini energy be perceived within the C Some Christians even meditate on Gods Word or His holiness while stretching. This often confuses followers of Christ, and makes them question practicing yoga. This is the inexorable Law of Karma. The most common justification that Christians use for practicing yoga is that they are using it as a means of stretching or exercise, and not as a spiritual practice. There are things in culture that are not bad in and of themselves, but can be used in a sinful manner and therefore need to be redeemed by Gods people. This is the purpose behind virtually all of the Eastern varieties of yoga, including those we encounter in the West. A more recently written, but still ancient, Hindu text explains yoga as consisting of six parts or limbs, one of which is called asana, which refers to the poses involved with yoga. Yoga is simply defined as a union, to unite or to yoke. Dive into scriptures such as Mark 12:30 that declares, love The Lord with all of your heart, all of your mind, all of your soul and all of your strength. Scriptures declare worship and adoration with the whole self repeatedly. God made our bodies for, among other purposes, sexual pleasure. With it, you get a certification as a registered Christian yoga instructor and you can even start teaching after completing the 100 hours training modules. This often confuses followers of Christ, and makes them question practicing yoga. "There's nothing wrong with stretching and calming down one's breathing. Christians living in India are also conflicted about this ancient practice. The Christian viewpoint is thus - if one opens the mind to clearer thinking and inner vision, they open the spirit to demonic possession. Popular culture is filled with practical advice to conquer stress through breathing, meditation, and exercise. But we should never, in our desire to be in shape and be healthy, adopt systems antithetical to Christianity because they make us feel good or have bodily value. Without a discerning spirit, one can find oneself naively participating in spiritual activities that are not Christian. In fact, I find it insulting. "What are your thoughts on yoga?" an Instagram follower asked me. Being one with God is transformative, and it makes their faith stronger and become good Disciples of Christ and work towards spreading the word of God. Physically or mentally, the practice of yoga may be beneficial. Its not fair to say yoga is demonic. Many practitioners choose to unite their faith with their yoga practice. As with anything, it is a matter of intentionality. The Hindu American Foundation (HAF) explains, using ancient Hindu texts, that yoga consists of four types, translated to: devotion, knowledge, action, or concentration. 4.1 Yoga Derives From Hinduism 4.2 Yoga Has The Buddhism's Influence 4.3 Yoga Poses 4.4 Yoga Somehow Make Christians Drop Their Belief In God Whether they know it or not, Christians who engage in yoga are participating in a religious expression that is antithetical to Christianity. For some Christians, Yoga is already embedded into their life. However, yoga is not a religion in and of itself, nor do you have to be religious to practice yoga. Nowadays, there is now a Christian Yoga, where yoga is practiced in a prayerful manner, it advocates for Jesus first, yoga second. The end goal of Inana is detachment from temporal concerns (but not necessarily withdrawal from them), virtue, and longing for liberation. This form of yoga is taking root in an aesthetic representation of Christianity that is commonly referred to as poverty theology. I recognize with a title like this I am inviting controversy. On the other hand, another option is to enrol the 200 hours teacher training program, where you become a registered certified Christian yoga instructor, and receive an in depth yoga education that is based on the Christian faith and how happiness and joy is attained through the practice of yoga. Mark 12:30 "Love the Lord with all of your heart, all of your mind, all of your soul and all of your strength.". We cannot and will not be able to hear His still, small voice if noise is cluttering the frequencies. Shah notices this fundamental disconnect between Christianity and the Eastern religions when the complete, physical and spiritual, practices of yoga are followed. No one comes to the Father except through me.). When you do Christian yoga, you are not just doing yoga, but you are actually spreading the word of God and that this is what discipleship is about. There are numerous yoga traditions, but the most popular appear to be Hatha Yoga, but it has transformed in so many ways that it is difficult to keep track of what was traditional and what is modern. It gets the blood flowing and warms the body. The first seven limbs of yoga were meant to result in the eighth limbsamadhi which is defined as direct knowledge, free from the distortions of the imagination, completely free from the constraints of the material world.In this way, yoga is a religious practice that advocates oneism (or monism). Prominent Los Angeles yoga teacher Bikram Choudhury clearly explains the role of karma yoga in attaining salvation: Generally, a work brings as its effect or fruit either pleasure or pain. Falling Into Grace But recently, a Catholic church in India released a statement, rejecting the idea that Christianity and yoga are compatible at all. Some forms of yoga even go as far as to not demand extreme stretching positions because they actually get in the way of meditation. 2. Yoga is not a religion. These include, but are not limited to meditation, repetition of sacred sounds or syllables (typically "Ohm"), breathing techniques, acrobatic exercises, and positioning one's body in difficult postures. 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