As Christians, we’ve been called to “live in this world, but not be of this world”. This concept is not always the easiest thing to wrap your head around. What exactly does that mean? Should we simply shut ourselves off to everything that doesn’t have the label of ‘Christian’ slapped on the front of it. Personally, I don’t believe that is any way to live. The truth is, although we do need to have some discernment in the things we participate in and consume, there are many things that aren’t necessarily ‘Christian’ that we can enjoy without feeling the burn of hell we presume is eventually waiting for us. Yoga, in my most humble opinion, is one of these things.
Anyone that knows anything about the ancient art and practice of yoga knows that its been around for centuries, and finds its origins in Indian Hindu and Buddhist traditions. In Sanskrit, the ancient Hindu language, the word yoga simply means “yoke” – to join, attach, or unite. The goal of this practice is not only to gain physical healing through multiple physical poses and elaborate stretches, but to meditate—an act where people shut out the distractions of the world, concentrate on themselves and nature, thereby uniting their body, soul, and mind, and hopefully reaching moksha, a state of spiritual enlightenment.
A far cry from being Christian, right? Well, maybe not. The sad truth is that many Christians hear or read words like Hindu, monk, or even meditate, and immediately shut out yoga. Yes, it is true that many of the poses, and chants, such as “om”, are explicitly derived from Eastern religious traditions and philosophies, but what if we looked at yoga in its entirety, and didn’t solely focus on the non-Christian elements? What about yoga is, in fact, Christian?
As Christians, prayer and meditation should be an integral part of our daily life. In Psalm 119:15 (NIV), King David says, “I meditate on your precepts and consider Your ways”. The word ‘meditate’ simply means to reflect; to engage in thought or contemplation; or quiescent spiritual introspection. Meditation on the Word of God goes hand-in-hand with a lifestyle of prayer. In fact, in Matt 6:6, Jesus instructs us to go to a place of solitude and quiet when we pray. Contrary to what you may think, this doesn’t dictate going to your bedroom. This can mean going to the park, sitting in the shade of a giant tree, and talking to God; going for a walk, journaling at a coffee shop, or whatever allows you to stop and “meditate” on God. For some, yoga affords them the opportunity to do just that—slow down, be quiet, breathe, and focus on God all while stretching and doing good for their body. The need to slow down is imperative to maintaining focus, and even sanity, at times. That is why yoga is becoming so popular now in the Western world. As Christians, we are already called to quiet ourselves and put God as our central focus.
If you are in a traditional yoga class, maybe try to think about Jesus and our Heavenly Father whenever the instructor tells you to focus on yourself. Thank Him for all your blessings, and pray in your mind as you go through the poses. Or, see if you can find a Christian yoga class, sometimes called “Scripture Yoga”, in your city. These classes include the physical fitness elements of yoga, but focus the meditation elements on Christian values, often reciting Scripture during the class.
Shutting the world and its practices out entirely without critically analyzing them can not only be detrimental to your ability to connect with people, but also robs you of learning something new, and enriching your life. Truth is, there are so many things that aren’t labeled ‘Christian’ that can be a great blessing to your life, and may not be inherently wrong. Yoga has incredible health benefits, can be very relaxing, and is a great way to slow down for Christians and non-Christians alike.
Written by Octavia Ahsan
Tweet Her: @OctaviaFaith or @ThePODIUMTweets