Yoga ?

[GlorytoGod]

What are peoples opinions of practicing hatha yoga ?

I have done yoga on and off for years but since being born again I dont think I will touch it again.

As far as I am concerned yoga and even hatha yoga is a hindu spiritual practice and therefore as a christian its not something I am will to partake off, all my spiritual needs should be met by my faith Christianity and if I have to look outside of that then that would indicate a problem.

[Garnet]

I have no real comment on yoga. I attempt it from time to time, although I like watching it on TV (while eating cookies...lol).

I found this in the current JewishSource catalog:


TORAH YOGA PB BLOOMFIELD - Jewish Source - The Source for Everything Jewish=

[seattlegal]

Acts 15
I recommend reading the whole chapter--regarding requiring the Gentiles to keep the entire Law of Moses:

18 “Known to God from eternity are all His works. 19 Therefore I judge that we should not trouble those from among the Gentiles who are turning to God, 20 but that we write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from things strangled, and from blood. 21 For Moses has had throughout many generations those who preach him in every city, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath.”
The Jerusalem Decree


22 Then it pleased the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, namely, Judas who was also named Barsabas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren.
23 They wrote this, letter by them:


The apostles, the elders, and the brethren,

To the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia:

Greetings.

24 Since we have heard that some who went out from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your souls, saying, “You must be circumcised and keep the law”—to whom we gave no such commandment— 25 it seemed good to us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26 men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who will also report the same things by word of mouth. 28 For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things: 29 that you abstain from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well.
Farewell.

I don't think that yoga should be considered among the necessary things, by any means. Does yoga lead to partaking of things offered to idols, blood, of things strangled, or of sexual immorality? Is it used as a cloak for vice? Does it bring harm to your neighbor? If not, than I would consider it to be a matter of conscience--and would come under the category of Christian liberty, imo. If it can bring relief to those who are suffering, then why deny them relief?

[mee]

The objective of yoga as a discipline is to lead a person to the spiritual experience of being "yoked" to or merged with a superhuman spirit.

But which spirit would that be?


Christians

recognize that yoga goes beyond mere exercise and is dangerous?

The objective of yoga as a discipline is to lead a person to being merged with a superhuman spirit. Contrary to God’s direction, yoga involves stopping spontaneous thinking. (Romans 12:1, 2) Yoga can expose one to the dangers of spiritism and occultism. (Deuteronomy 18:10, 11)

[Dream]

Yoga, yoked, Yoda, and yogurt all start with 'Yo'. Spelled backwards they are: trugoy, adoy, dekoy, and agoy. If you're not getting the picture, then take a look at the international ASCII values of the letters in the word 'Yoga'. Note that the last three letters in Yoga start with Hexadecimal sixes.

Y x59
o x6F
g x67
a x61

666. There's always some way to find it.

[Dogbrain]

Originally Posted by Dream

Yoga, yoked, Yoda, and yogurt all start with 'Yo'. Spelled backwards they are: trugoy, adoy, dekoy, and agoy. If you're not getting the picture, then take a look at the international ASCII values of the letters in the word 'Yoga'. Note that the last three letters in Yoga start with Hexadecimal sixes.

Y x59
o x6F
g x67
a x61

666. There's always some way to find it.

My individual social security number can be turned into 6-6-6 by simple arithmatic. I used to freak out superstitious fundies by showing them this and then grinning at them.

[seattlegal]

Originally Posted by mee

The objective of yoga as a discipline is to lead a person to the spiritual experience of being "yoked" to or merged with a superhuman spirit.

But which spirit would that be?


Christians

recognize that yoga goes beyond mere exercise and is dangerous?

The objective of yoga as a discipline is to lead a person to being merged with a superhuman spirit. Contrary to God’s direction, yoga involves stopping spontaneous thinking. (Romans 12:1, 2)

I would agree that some yoga instructors can be rather rigid when it comes to discipline. (Flexibility of body, but not of mind.) Others might not be. I guess maybe my Zen conditioning, which seeks to develop spontaneous thought, might have counteracted the mental rigidity of yoga. *shrugs*

Yoga can expose one to the dangers of spiritism and occultism. (Deuteronomy 18:10, 11)

There might be a danger there.

[Dream]

Our minds are only so big, and the fundamental approach is often the only path available. Years ago my own parents believed that Yoga introduced demonic possessors to the individual's body, but a fundamental approach has freed me from that fear. I don't practice Yoga, but I don't fear practicing it. That's why, for me, I associate it with the 666 scare fads that come and go. A fundamental approach is itself sort of like yoga, but instead of flexing the body you're flexing your mind. It looks funny sometimes, but its good for you.

[seattlegal]

I would have to agree that there is a definite mind/body connection. I like to practice some of the yoga asanas to help counteract physical discomforts, and the frustrations that might arise in the mind because of them. I don't use yoga as a means to a spiritual end, however.

[Netti-Netti]

Originally Posted by mee

Yoga can expose one to the dangers of spiritism and occultism. (Deuteronomy 18:10, 11)

Highly debatable.


Deuteronomy reads: Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead.

I don't see yoga as fitting into these things at all. Bhakti yoga is devotional yoga. Karma yoga deals with one's karma (surprise).

Have a good day.

[seattlegal]

GlorytoGod was talking about hatha yoga in the opening post.

[Netti-Netti]

Originally Posted by seattlegal

GlorytoGod was talking about hatha yoga in the opening post.

I was addressing Mee, thank you.

[seattlegal]

Originally Posted by Netti-Netti

I was addressing Mee, thank you.

Sorry...

[farhan]

Yoga, as far as I know, existed much before hinduism. Hinduism came from north-west of South Asia around 3-4 thousand years ago, while yoga postured statues found around lower Indus valley are much older than that.

The usual yoga stuff that includes asanas & pranayama doesnt have anything to do with occultism, esotericism, spells, or even hinduism. If you go beyond the 4th limb of yoga, into sensory depriviation & meditations, thats where esotericism starts. Still it will be wrong to call it spiritism. Tantricks are more into that stuff, not yogis.

[BlaznFattyz]

anything is ok like exercise, martial arts, stretching, etc.. as long as you are not tricked into worshiping false gods and calling it meditation.