YOGA, THE GREAT DECEPTION.

This post is going to be a little different. It will contain a lot of information that I have put together while looking into the history of yoga and the modern-day practice of yoga. Now, I don’t make it a habit to dive into stuff like this, especially in the way that I have constructed my findings, but this subject hit close to home awhile back prompting me to look further into it, to be able to plead my case on the reasons why Christians should steer clear of yoga altogether! This post is not to judge a brother or sister who takes part in yoga. I understand the health benefits that can be present in this practice. Fitness is a good thing! I just believe that there are plenty of other practices that can be pursued for fitness instead of yoga. Stretching is good. Taking time to breathe is important, nothing wrong with taking deep breaths in and out. Meditation is necessary when we do it in the correct way; meditating on God’s word, so you will find no argument from me there. I already know that this is gonna be a long post, just because of the information I will share. But just know that this is just me scratching on the surface of what I found. The information I post here can be easily accessed if you just look for yourselves, and I have used a few unbiased sources so that I was fair. Trust me when I say I saw enough to be convicted that this was not pleasing to God.

Although these things might be carried out innocently in the guise of health and fitness, the enemy is a deceiver, and what starts off as something “innocent” after some time can open doors to other things. We already know God is very clear in the bible about idolatry and the worship of other gods. We might not be going out of our way to do this with yoga, but being that it is what it’s associated with historically and presently, depending on how advanced and serious a practitioner you are, it is still all connected and we can not seperate it and reclaim parts by adding “Christian” at the front of it. The philosophy is bad enough alone. What is made for the dark, must stay in the dark!

“Yoga” has roots from the Sanskrit word “Yuj,” which means to join or unite. It works on leading the union of your consciousness to the universal consciousness. If you experience this unity and bond between nature and self, you attain “Moksha”(ultimate liberation). The aim is to achieve self-actualisation and peace. This is when you achieve “Kaivalya” (freedom). Yoga is believed to originate in Northern India 5000yrs ago. The story is that Lord Shiva (a Hindu god, also known as the destroyer) was the first yogi. He imparted and taught yoga to his seven disciples and sent them out to different parts of the world to spread the knowledge of yoga. These teachings reached as far as Asia, Middle East, Northern Africa, and South America.

Yoga was first mentioned in the Sanskrit texts of Rig Veda dated back as far as 1500 BC. The vedic religion (Hindu) had vedic priests who took part in sacrificial rituals named “Yajnas”, these rituals required an invocation, and they used mantras and music to complete these rituals which they carried out in their everyday lives. They used poses as part of their rituals to their many gods, which have now evolved into modern-day yoga poses. As time passed, yoga found its way into Buddhism and Jainism. In Buddhism, an emphasis was made for meditation and yogic poses that helped attain enlightenment. In Jainism, the importance of meditation was stressed to attain salvation and “Moksha.” Lord Krishna said of yoga “That it strives for oneness between man and nature. It takes us back to our joyous state.” In ancient times, the purpose of yoga was to connect oneself with the world around them. It focused on breathing and freeing of the body, spirit, and mind. The four different paths of yoga were, Karma Yoga (yoga of action), Jnana Yoga (path of knowledge), Raja Yoga (path of meditation), Bhakti Yoga (path of loving devotion to a personal god). There are different yoga techniques that are still used, Dranayama (breathing exercises), Pratyahara (withdrawing senses), Breathing Modulation, Sound and Meditation in complete Peace.

Today in Western culture, the benefits of yoga are limited to fitness, flexibility, and ridding oneself of physical disabilities. It aids in strengthening physical and mental health, to achieve eternal peace and harmony between body, mind, and soul. The aim of yoga is to achieve self-actualisation and self-realisation. Asana Yoga (which means postures) is the one made popular today, as fitness and flexibility are at the core, but new classes and courses are starting up with the intent of spreading the full yogic culture, bringing back the forgotten yoga paths. After receiving a “Yoga day” by the United Nations, the plan is for yoga to be spread throughout the west to “enlighten” millions. Today, most people innocently partake in yoga, but there is a lot more to it than people realise. There are different types of yoga, and there are different levels of yoga. Most people who are beginners are probably taking part in Hatha Yoga, the popular exercise practised in the West, usually without the spiritual pairing. Although it is hard to separate Hatha Yoga from the spiritual because of the poses used.

The more advanced type of yoga is Kundalini, also known as “Shakti,” a new form of yoga that developed in the early 2000s. The philosophy is that the body is the vessel for the flow of energy. Shakti is the goddess of energy, creativity, and change. Known as the source of all life and an embodiment of the feminine principle. Shakti or Kundalini energy is said to be a creative force that lies within and gives you the power to manifest your dreams and desires when you awaken and harness the energy. The opening of your Kundalini energy can cause physical and emotional symptoms, which you are then advised to seek a qualified yoga teacher or yoga therapist.

Another advanced type of yoga aimed at the more experienced is called Shiva Yoga. Shiva is something you work your way up to, as it requires a lot of discipline and dedication. It’s cited as a powerful form of yoga that connects you to your inner power first and foremost but can also help to release negative energy and emotions. It combines physical postures of yoga with breathing techniques and meditation of Pranayama. Shiva is known as the god of destruction and regeneration, the destroyer of evil and transformer of the universe. Before you begin Shiva Yoga, the instructions are as follows: First, create a calm and peaceful environment, and turn the lights off. Then burn incense and play soft music. Sit in a comfy position, close your eyes, and take a few deep breaths to prepare for the practice of shiva yoga. Chant “Om Namah Shiva” (which translates to “I bow to shiva”) to help you connect with the power and energy of shiva. Then begin physical practice using a basic sequence of yoga postures.

The poses used today are still relevant to worship and receiving spiritual enlightenment. These postures are meant to make you feel more connected to shiva. Remember these are the same postures used as part of rituals 5000 years ago that have evolved into modern-day yoga. Here are a few with there original names: Easy Pose (Sukasana), Mountain Pose (Tadasana), Warrior Pose (Virabhadrasana), Triangle Pose (Utthita Trikonasana), Cobra Pose (Bhujangasana), Child’s Pose (Balasana), Downward Dog Pose (Adho Mukha Svanasana), Bridge Pose (Setu Bandha Sarvangasana), Tree Pose (Vriksasana). There are many different gods that can be called upon for guidance and support by practitioners, each represents a different journey in yoga. Most common gods include Shiva (god of transformation), Vishnu (god of preservation), and Durga (goddess of strength and protection). You are meant to choose who you feel called to work with or are drawn to, as it helps you to connect more deeply with the practice. Lord Shiva is still considered the originator of the yoga lifestyle, the patron god of yoga.

There are a lot of different parts of yoga not mentioned, but I wanted to keep this brief. I think it’s important to stress that I do not believe that stretching is demonic, but what became very clear to me was that yoga was! Before I started looking into it, I had only heard the testimonies of people who had once been yoga practitioners and had now found Jesus! What they were exposing was shocking. I had also heard a few Christians speak of being into yoga and practising it with a “Holy” mindset, only to later become convicted that it was not good. I had never really investigated it myself until I needed to. Although some may argue that they are not summoning spirits or doing anything other than the fitness aspect of yoga, the fact that yoga to this day is still very connected to the demonic, is enough to say maybe we should consider finding another form of excercise as Christians. The fact that the postures are still very much the same and taught in the same way as in days of old is enough to err on the side of caution! Performing this sequence of postures is unsettling to me. We must be careful of what we dabble in or what we invite in! I don’t think this is a case of what one feels convicted about compared to another. I believe that God is very clear when it comes to things like this. We can not redeem everything in this world. DEUTERONOMY 12:4 “DO NOT WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD IN THE WAY THESE PAGAN PEOPLES WORSHIP THEIR GODS.”

We can not take the things made for the dark and make it something of light. We can not pick and choose and remix it to make it about the Lord. Instead, let’s leave the dark to the dark and set up our own things. Satan is always trying to deceive us by coming dressed as light! It’s time we wake up to his schemes and plans. Do not be easily swept away by his lies. I pray for my brothers and sisters who practice yoga, I pray that they will have wisdom and discernment, and that God would convict them and remove the scales of deception from their eyes. I hope this post was helpful. Like I said before, I used unbiased sites to get my info so that I would be fair in my assessment of yoga. But don’t just take my word for it, go look for yourself! I hope this blesses you.