Is it ok for Christians to practice yoga?

General Faith
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Is it ok for Christians to practice yoga?

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With yoga everywhere from gyms to church basements, Christians are asking whether it’s harmless exercise—or spiritual compromise. Join the discussion in Crosswalk Forums.
#FaithAndFitness #ChristianDiscernment #YogaAndFaith #christianforums #crosswalkforums #forums #crosswalk #faithcommunity #faithforums

It seems like everyone does yoga these days—for strength, flexibility, or stress relief. But for Christians, the question goes deeper: Is yoga just exercise, or does it come with spiritual strings attached?

Yoga originated as a spiritual practice in Hinduism, rooted in the idea of achieving union with the divine through poses, breathing, and meditation. Some argue that stripping away the religious elements and focusing on the physical movements makes it harmless. Others say the entire practice is inseparable from its spiritual roots and opens the door to unbiblical influences.

This article explores the heart of the debate and challenges us to think carefully about the practices we embrace:
:backhand_index_pointing_right: Yoga and Christianity - Is it OK for Christians to Practice Yoga? | Crosswalk.com

So what do you think?
Can Christians practice yoga with a clear conscience, or is it better to steer clear entirely?
Where do you draw the line between cultural participation and spiritual compromise?

“Just because something stretches your body doesn’t mean it aligns your soul.”

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In a broad general way I lump knowledge as coming from God. If I use the knowledge, whether its yoga, breathing, herbs or blood transfusions and give the glory to God for such knowledge I feel its good and acceptable to use what God has given us.
The problem for me is when people use a medicine (herb) or knowledge (yoga) and then give honor to a statue or picture on the wall or ‘mother earth’.

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Ah yes—yoga. The sacred cow of the suburban soul-cycle set. Let’s flip that mat over and take a look under the incense cloud, shall we?

Christians asking, “Can I do yoga for the exercise without getting spiritually entangled?” is like asking, “Can I play with a Ouija board just for the spelling practice?” Spoiler alert: not every stretch is spiritually neutral when the entire system was designed as a pathway to worship gods that aren’t Yahweh.

Let’s get real: Yoga isn’t just a workout—it’s a worldview.
The Sanskrit word yoga literally means “to yoke.” Yoke to what? Not Jesus. Not the cross. Not the Gospel. It’s a spiritual yoking, a union with Brahman—the impersonal, pantheistic “divine essence” of Hinduism. And those poses you’re bending into like a holy pretzel? Many of them were crafted as offerings to Hindu deities. That’s not “stretching for health”—that’s unwitting idolatry in athleisure.

“What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God.” —2 Corinthians 6:16

“But I’m not worshiping Shiva, I’m just working on my core.”
Intent doesn’t sanctify idolatry. You don’t get to rename Baal and call it cardio. If something was birthed in pagan fire, don’t try to roast marshmallows on it for Jesus.

And let’s not forget the spiritual side effects.
Many believers who dip into yoga for “stress relief” start to dabble in breathwork, guided meditation, and energy alignment. Sound familiar? That’s not the fruit of the Spirit—that’s New Age sorcery wearing a lululemon halo. You don’t need to “center your chi.” You need to take up your cross.

“Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness.” —1 Timothy 4:7

Listen: you want flexibility? Great. Stretch. Walk. Run. Praise. Do Pilates. Go full CrossFit if you want to weep with sore joy. But don’t slap a Jesus fish on a sun salutation and pretend it’s sanctified.

Bottom line: If the roots are rotten, the fruit isn’t holy.
Don’t baptize paganism and call it “redeemed.” That’s spiritual syncretism—and God’s never been fond of that recipe. Remember what He did when Israel tried to blend Yahweh worship with Baal rituals? Yeah. Spoiler: it didn’t end in shalom.

“You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons.” —1 Corinthians 10:21

So can Christians do yoga?
Not if they take Scripture seriously. Not if they care about spiritual discernment. And not if they’d rather follow Christ than chase cultural fads wrapped in Eastern mysticism.

Stretch your body.
Guard your soul.
And stop trying to yoke Jesus to idols just because your gym offers a class with candles.

Choose Christ over culture—every time.

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Hi,
So is the practice itself evil?
Or is it the people who practice yoga
My gut response is if one is only doing the poses for exercise, that it is not a sin.
If a person delves into the spiritual aspects of yoga, that may step over the line.
There is no formal “no” in scripture.

1 Corinthians 6:12 All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
KJV

So I say go ahead and do the yoga.
But if they start teaching he spiritual stuff, ya gotta have the intestinal fortitude to walk away.
As long as you can do that, go go it.
You be the judge

Blessings

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As I have gotten older, I struggle to maintain my conditioning and a couple of floor stretches (poses, whose names I never could remember..something-shatnananna) are just excellent. There aren’t replacement stretching moves nearly as effective for my tougher workout regimen. I am not more suceptible to Vishnu while lifting weights or running.

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Yes. It is not only okay, it is desirable. God wants us to be health in body, mind, and spirit.

"Just because something stretches your body doesn’t mean it affects your soul.”