In discussions on whether a Christian should practice Yoga this claim comes up regularly. Is Yoga a religion? Here is how I responded to it in the TC thread.
It’s pretty tough to argue that Yoga isn’t a religion. Again, see http://www.expressionsofspirit.com/yoga/eight-limbs.htm This isn’t from me, from what I’ve seen of yoga training and programs its pretty standard.
There may however be a difference from one place to the next in terms of how much of the metaphysical package is promoted by a particular studio or teacher. Is there anything inherently evil about striking a pose? I doubt it. The questions revolve around what are we seeking with the pose. Might we have a statue or a picture at home? Sure. What are we seeking with the image?
Sitting in church doesn’t make you necessarily a Christian. Going to a yoga session won’t make you a Hindu. My hope is that repeatedly opening yourself up to Christian teaching will impact your mind, heart and eventually your life. I would assume a yogi wants the same thing.
What is a Religion?
A religion usually addresses a number of foundational questions. 1. Who/what are we? What is our problem? How is the problem addressed? What is our destiny?
Yoga offers all of these things.
Who/what are we? We are part of the universal transcendance (the divine, etc. pantheism)
What is our problem? We have lost touch with our divinity and our connection with the divine. We are confused by the illusion of multiplicity and we fail to experience the basic truth that all is one. All experience of otherness is illusory. Suffering is caused by buying into this illusion.
How is the problem addressed? By following the 8 limbs, the core of yoga. Yamas and Niyamas, Asanas, Pranayama, PRatyahara, Dharana, Dhyana leading to Samadhi.
Take a yoga teaching class and you will be taught these things and instructed on how to teach others. You will also be involved in “spreading the news” of yoga and helping others find the way. Salvation is Samadhi, union with the Divine.
This is why I consider Yoga a religion.
The posts in what turned out to be a series:
Christians and Yoga
Is Yoga a Religion?
Is Yoga Helpful?
Should You Give Yoga Your Heart?
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You can make an idol out of anything, but that doesn’t mean everything is an idol. Some people may adopt the philosophical/metaphysical/spiritual teaching of Yoga, but most people go to a one-hour session, stretch, breath, and think about their day.
I’m not an avid yoga-session-attender, but when I do go, I’ve never come across any of these teachings. And even if I did, I’d have enough sense to say to myself “that’s hogwash, but the stretching is relaxing.” We encounter all sorts of experiences that originate from or make contact with non-Christian beliefs, and yet the faithful continue find ways to remain orthodox and bring Christ’s presence into those places where he is not known. I just don’t understand why Yoga–as it is practiced by the majority of the public–is any different.
That’s a good point and a reason why this discussion is difficult. We quickly come to the question “what is yoga”? Is it exercise? Is it a pathway to reduce or eliminate my erroneous assumption of differentiation in the universe? I hope to write a piece on Christian appropriation of the product of other religions to explore this further. Thanks for the comment. pvk