Christian yoga?
Okay, this has gone far enough! I saw this movie advertised on Netflix, described as follows:
Actress Janine Turner joins forces with fitness expert Mary Cunningham to create a routine that combines hatha yoga and Christian meditation for a workout that exercises both body and soul. Using biblical Scripture, Turner and Cunningham give Christian names to traditional yoga poses. As you perform Christ Exalted, Mighty Disciple and Salvation Rotation, you'll feel your spirit stretching along with your muscles.
I don’t think we can remain silent on this anymore. Where does yoga come from? It’s based in Hiduism. So why are Christians thinking it’s OK? Don’t know!!!
The argument is that it’s just exercise or stretching…and there’s nothing wrong with it and it’s good for us.
BUT:
The Merriam Webster dictionary defines hatha yoga as follows:
a system of physical exercises for the control and perfection of the body that constitutes one of the four chief Hindu disciplines
WHY is a Christian going to do something that involves a HINDU discipline? We are to discipline ourselves in Bible reading, prayer, meditation on His Word, seeking God.
WORSE: When I looked under “Learn more about hatha yoga” (at Brittanica.com) on Merriam Webster, I found:
Hatha Yoga places great importance on diet, purificatory processes, regulation of breathing (Pranayama), and the adoption of bodily postures called asanas, which structure a program of physical exertion. A common asana is the padmasna (“lotus posture”), in which the crossed feet rest on the opposite thighs. This is the position in which many Hindu and Buddhist gods are often depicted, but it is only one of dozens described in Hatha Yoga treatises. The “salute to the sun” is a well-known sequence of 12 asanas performed in a fluid movement.
Hatha Yoga has grown in popularity in the West as a form of exercise that develops strength, flexibility, bodily relaxation, and mental concentration. Its true object, however, is to awaken the dormant energy (shakti) of Shiva* that animates the subtle body but is concealed behind the gross human frame. The subtle anatomy containing it is usually described as a series of lotiform chakras (“wheels”) rising from the anal or genital area to the top of the head. Through the forceful suppression of physical and mental activity, the female shakti is enabled to rise along the chakras and unite with the male Shiva in the uppermost chakra, a union indistinguishable from enlightenment and even immortality. *Shiva is one of three main Hindu gods, and means "the god of destruction and regeneration."
Wikipedia says that there is no hatha yoga without raja yoga…and here is the definition of raja yoga from Wikipedia:
Rāja Yoga ("royal yoga", "royal union", also known as Classical Yoga or simply Yoga) is one of the six orthodox (astika) schools of Hindu Philosophy, outlined by the sage Patanjali in his Yoga Sutras. Raja yoga is concerned principally with the cultivation of the mind using meditation (dhyana) to further one's acquaintance with reality and finally achieve liberation. (Liberation is that state of Nirvan or blissful nothingness that they wish to achieve through meditation). As Christians we are to fill our minds with God’s Word or thoughts of Him when we meditate.
So, it is very plain: You can not practice the hatha yoga (exercises) without aligning yourself with the Hindu philosophy behind it.
The entire purpose of the hatha (as practiced by the Hindus) is to purify yourself so you can meditate and be enlightened. But meditate on what? Be enlightened about what? Not the Word of God, as we are told to meditate on in many scriptures.
Look at the following from the Bible (New International Version):
He went out to the field one evening to meditate, and as he looked up, he saw camels approaching. (Genesis 24:63)
Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. (Joshua 1:8)
Psalm 1:2
But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. (Psalm 1:2)
Psalm 39:3
My heart grew hot within me, and as I meditated, the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue: (Psalm 39:3)
Within your temple, O God, we meditate on your unfailing love. (Psalm 48:9)
I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds. (Psalm 77:12)
I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. (Psalm 119:15)
Though rulers sit together and slander me, your servant will meditate on your decrees. (Psalm 119:23)
Let me understand the teaching of your precepts; then I will meditate on your wonders.
(Psalm 119:27)
I lift up my hands to your commands, which I love, and I meditate on your decrees. (Psalm 119:48)
May the arrogant be put to shame for wronging me without cause; but I will meditate on your precepts. (Psalm 119:78)
Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long. (Psalm 119:97)
I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes. (Psalm 119:99)
My eyes stay open through the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promises.
(Psalm 119:148)
I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done. (Psalm 143:5)
They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty, and I will meditate on your wonderful works. (Psalm 145:5)
Here are the scriptures (New International Version) on “enlighten” or “enlightened”:
Isaiah 40:14
Whom did the LORD consult to enlighten him, and who taught him the right way? Who was it that taught him knowledge or showed him the path of understanding? (Isaiah 40:14)
I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, (Ephesians 1:18)
It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, (Hebrewws 6:4)
There is nothing in the Bible about needing to exercise or do any of the other disciplines of the Hindu religion in order to meditate and be enlightened.
I know Christians say they are not using it for purposes of practicing Hinduism, but if you carefully read the above, it can not be separated from it’s roots. It is directly linked to their practice of meditation…and not BIBLICAL meditation.
There is also Kundalini Yoga, which involves exercises as well…and how can you be sure, when doing the exercises, you are doing the “safe” ones? Wikipedia says of Kundalini exercise:
None of these postures and movements should, according to scholars of Yoga, be considered mere stretching exercises or gymnastic exercises. Further, it says that Kundalini was practiced in secret because it was considered dangerous by the ruling powers. This also includes the cross-legged position that so many say is relaxing. But the entire purpose of sitting in that position is for straightening your spine, in order to align your chakras. Chakras are thought to be “wheels” or centers of energy…and there are seven that begin at the base of the spine and go up to the top of the head. And Kundalini says there is an eighth…called the “aura” or electromagnetic field.
Ever heard of people who read auras? This is a psychic practice and not AT ALL Christian. We are told fortune telling is wrong (what psychics do), and it is psychics who read auras.
Something else I found about the Raja Yoga on Wikipedia is that in this form of yoga they consider the mind to be “king.” Because of the relationship between the body and mind, they do the Hatha Yoga (the one in the video I found on Netflix ) in order to tame the body by self-discipline and purification. The idea is to attain good overall health and psychological integration in order to pursue the deeper aspects of yoga. The end result of Raja Yoga is to get to a “seedless state,” in which there is no mental object of focus. AGAIN: We are told to meditate on God and His Word (not on nothing). Even though Raja Yoga is seen as the “king of yogas,” ALL yoga practices are seen as tools to achieve the seedless state.
Here is a quote from Swami Satchidananda, under the Wikipedia info on Raja Yoga (which as said above you can not have Raja Yoga without Hatha Yoga or Hatha without Raja):
Every thought, feeling, perception, or memory you may have causes a modification, or ripple, in the mind. It distorts and colors the mental mirror. If you can restrain the mind from forming into modifications, there will be no distortion, and you will experience your true Self.
Contrary to that idea, according to the Bible, we are to renew our minds through God’s Word, so we may prove what is that good, perfect and acceptable will of God. (Romans 12:2) It says nothing about experiencing our true Self. And nothing about reaching a state where we have no mental object of focus. Colassians 3:1 & 2 tells us to seek or think on things above and to set our affections or hearts on things above…where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. You see, our mind is SET ON SOEMTHING (namely Christ).
In all this I read nothing about our spirits (not that I read all the info on the sites). But the emphasis was the mind and body…disciplining the body to allow the mind to reach this state of not being focused on anything. And if God created the world through His Spirit, breathed life into us (which basically means he gave us a spirit) and saves us in our spirits (John 3:5 says we can not enter the Kingdom of God unless we are born of the water and of the spirit), then I would think the spirit of man is very important. But yoga (as far as my research for purposes of this article) doesn’t even mention the spirit. It is the Holy Spirit which comes into our spirits and gives us His fruits and His gifts. Note, that self-control (as in discipline) is a fruit of the Spirit. We should not be using a Hindu discipline (these exercises). We have our own Source for self-discipline. There are just too many scriptures on the Spirit (capitalized, as in Holy Spirit) and spirit (lower case, as in our spirits) to think we should have any association with a practice that doesn’t consider the spirit of man important. In Hindu these yoga practices are all about the mind…reaching a higher level of consciousness…though the reason why is totally unclear. Where is the spirit in all this? By ignoring the spirit of man, they can avoid The Holy Spirit...and His dealings and conviction.
I can say with Paul, from 2 Corinthians 11:
2I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him. 3But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent's cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. 4For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough.
And, I can say with John (1 John 2:26 & 27):
26I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray. 27As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him.
Actress Janine Turner joins forces with fitness expert Mary Cunningham to create a routine that combines hatha yoga and Christian meditation for a workout that exercises both body and soul. Using biblical Scripture, Turner and Cunningham give Christian names to traditional yoga poses. As you perform Christ Exalted, Mighty Disciple and Salvation Rotation, you'll feel your spirit stretching along with your muscles.
I don’t think we can remain silent on this anymore. Where does yoga come from? It’s based in Hiduism. So why are Christians thinking it’s OK? Don’t know!!!
The argument is that it’s just exercise or stretching…and there’s nothing wrong with it and it’s good for us.
BUT:
The Merriam Webster dictionary defines hatha yoga as follows:
a system of physical exercises for the control and perfection of the body that constitutes one of the four chief Hindu disciplines
WHY is a Christian going to do something that involves a HINDU discipline? We are to discipline ourselves in Bible reading, prayer, meditation on His Word, seeking God.
WORSE: When I looked under “Learn more about hatha yoga” (at Brittanica.com) on Merriam Webster, I found:
Hatha Yoga places great importance on diet, purificatory processes, regulation of breathing (Pranayama), and the adoption of bodily postures called asanas, which structure a program of physical exertion. A common asana is the padmasna (“lotus posture”), in which the crossed feet rest on the opposite thighs. This is the position in which many Hindu and Buddhist gods are often depicted, but it is only one of dozens described in Hatha Yoga treatises. The “salute to the sun” is a well-known sequence of 12 asanas performed in a fluid movement.
Hatha Yoga has grown in popularity in the West as a form of exercise that develops strength, flexibility, bodily relaxation, and mental concentration. Its true object, however, is to awaken the dormant energy (shakti) of Shiva* that animates the subtle body but is concealed behind the gross human frame. The subtle anatomy containing it is usually described as a series of lotiform chakras (“wheels”) rising from the anal or genital area to the top of the head. Through the forceful suppression of physical and mental activity, the female shakti is enabled to rise along the chakras and unite with the male Shiva in the uppermost chakra, a union indistinguishable from enlightenment and even immortality. *Shiva is one of three main Hindu gods, and means "the god of destruction and regeneration."
Wikipedia says that there is no hatha yoga without raja yoga…and here is the definition of raja yoga from Wikipedia:
Rāja Yoga ("royal yoga", "royal union", also known as Classical Yoga or simply Yoga) is one of the six orthodox (astika) schools of Hindu Philosophy, outlined by the sage Patanjali in his Yoga Sutras. Raja yoga is concerned principally with the cultivation of the mind using meditation (dhyana) to further one's acquaintance with reality and finally achieve liberation. (Liberation is that state of Nirvan or blissful nothingness that they wish to achieve through meditation). As Christians we are to fill our minds with God’s Word or thoughts of Him when we meditate.
So, it is very plain: You can not practice the hatha yoga (exercises) without aligning yourself with the Hindu philosophy behind it.
The entire purpose of the hatha (as practiced by the Hindus) is to purify yourself so you can meditate and be enlightened. But meditate on what? Be enlightened about what? Not the Word of God, as we are told to meditate on in many scriptures.
Look at the following from the Bible (New International Version):
He went out to the field one evening to meditate, and as he looked up, he saw camels approaching. (Genesis 24:63)
Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. (Joshua 1:8)
Psalm 1:2
But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. (Psalm 1:2)
Psalm 39:3
My heart grew hot within me, and as I meditated, the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue: (Psalm 39:3)
Within your temple, O God, we meditate on your unfailing love. (Psalm 48:9)
I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds. (Psalm 77:12)
I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. (Psalm 119:15)
Though rulers sit together and slander me, your servant will meditate on your decrees. (Psalm 119:23)
Let me understand the teaching of your precepts; then I will meditate on your wonders.
(Psalm 119:27)
I lift up my hands to your commands, which I love, and I meditate on your decrees. (Psalm 119:48)
May the arrogant be put to shame for wronging me without cause; but I will meditate on your precepts. (Psalm 119:78)
Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long. (Psalm 119:97)
I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes. (Psalm 119:99)
My eyes stay open through the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promises.
(Psalm 119:148)
I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done. (Psalm 143:5)
They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty, and I will meditate on your wonderful works. (Psalm 145:5)
Here are the scriptures (New International Version) on “enlighten” or “enlightened”:
Isaiah 40:14
Whom did the LORD consult to enlighten him, and who taught him the right way? Who was it that taught him knowledge or showed him the path of understanding? (Isaiah 40:14)
I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, (Ephesians 1:18)
It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, (Hebrewws 6:4)
There is nothing in the Bible about needing to exercise or do any of the other disciplines of the Hindu religion in order to meditate and be enlightened.
I know Christians say they are not using it for purposes of practicing Hinduism, but if you carefully read the above, it can not be separated from it’s roots. It is directly linked to their practice of meditation…and not BIBLICAL meditation.
There is also Kundalini Yoga, which involves exercises as well…and how can you be sure, when doing the exercises, you are doing the “safe” ones? Wikipedia says of Kundalini exercise:
None of these postures and movements should, according to scholars of Yoga, be considered mere stretching exercises or gymnastic exercises. Further, it says that Kundalini was practiced in secret because it was considered dangerous by the ruling powers. This also includes the cross-legged position that so many say is relaxing. But the entire purpose of sitting in that position is for straightening your spine, in order to align your chakras. Chakras are thought to be “wheels” or centers of energy…and there are seven that begin at the base of the spine and go up to the top of the head. And Kundalini says there is an eighth…called the “aura” or electromagnetic field.
Ever heard of people who read auras? This is a psychic practice and not AT ALL Christian. We are told fortune telling is wrong (what psychics do), and it is psychics who read auras.
Something else I found about the Raja Yoga on Wikipedia is that in this form of yoga they consider the mind to be “king.” Because of the relationship between the body and mind, they do the Hatha Yoga (the one in the video I found on Netflix ) in order to tame the body by self-discipline and purification. The idea is to attain good overall health and psychological integration in order to pursue the deeper aspects of yoga. The end result of Raja Yoga is to get to a “seedless state,” in which there is no mental object of focus. AGAIN: We are told to meditate on God and His Word (not on nothing). Even though Raja Yoga is seen as the “king of yogas,” ALL yoga practices are seen as tools to achieve the seedless state.
Here is a quote from Swami Satchidananda, under the Wikipedia info on Raja Yoga (which as said above you can not have Raja Yoga without Hatha Yoga or Hatha without Raja):
Every thought, feeling, perception, or memory you may have causes a modification, or ripple, in the mind. It distorts and colors the mental mirror. If you can restrain the mind from forming into modifications, there will be no distortion, and you will experience your true Self.
Contrary to that idea, according to the Bible, we are to renew our minds through God’s Word, so we may prove what is that good, perfect and acceptable will of God. (Romans 12:2) It says nothing about experiencing our true Self. And nothing about reaching a state where we have no mental object of focus. Colassians 3:1 & 2 tells us to seek or think on things above and to set our affections or hearts on things above…where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. You see, our mind is SET ON SOEMTHING (namely Christ).
In all this I read nothing about our spirits (not that I read all the info on the sites). But the emphasis was the mind and body…disciplining the body to allow the mind to reach this state of not being focused on anything. And if God created the world through His Spirit, breathed life into us (which basically means he gave us a spirit) and saves us in our spirits (John 3:5 says we can not enter the Kingdom of God unless we are born of the water and of the spirit), then I would think the spirit of man is very important. But yoga (as far as my research for purposes of this article) doesn’t even mention the spirit. It is the Holy Spirit which comes into our spirits and gives us His fruits and His gifts. Note, that self-control (as in discipline) is a fruit of the Spirit. We should not be using a Hindu discipline (these exercises). We have our own Source for self-discipline. There are just too many scriptures on the Spirit (capitalized, as in Holy Spirit) and spirit (lower case, as in our spirits) to think we should have any association with a practice that doesn’t consider the spirit of man important. In Hindu these yoga practices are all about the mind…reaching a higher level of consciousness…though the reason why is totally unclear. Where is the spirit in all this? By ignoring the spirit of man, they can avoid The Holy Spirit...and His dealings and conviction.
I can say with Paul, from 2 Corinthians 11:
2I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him. 3But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent's cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. 4For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough.
And, I can say with John (1 John 2:26 & 27):
26I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray. 27As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him.
Total Comments 4
Comments
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[B][COLOR="DarkSlateGray"]Jerirose,
There was a post way back I could not find that GODS Grace had a raised a question concerning Kundalini. I have looked everywhere for it, but I can't find this original post.[/COLOR][/B]
[B][COLOR="Navy"]Anyways,
At that time, I, as you, researched this practice. I wrote a rather long post concerning it and was so grieved in spirit that I avoided posting it.
"Awakening Serpent Power" is what the goal in Kundalini is.
You know who we connect with the Serpent as Christians... For me that was enough to know it is something that is dangerous!
As on the "Christian Yoga" it sounds as if a marketing tool designed to draw clients who refuse yoga based on their spiritual beliefs. Why do this? What is the goal? Money?
I know that excercise in itself is beneficial and needed to keep a healthy body.
I have never been to a yoga class, and I am wondering if those taught at the YMCA and such actually teach the meditation principles, or do they just do the excercises? Anywho, I like the way the Lord leads me to meditate on His Word, and pray.
I have prayed while running for encouragement not to give up before reaching my goal!
This is an interesting topic, no doubt.
I Live for This[/COLOR][/B]Posted 12-26-2008 at 12:33 PM by I Live for This
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Here is the part that really alarms me:
"...give Christian names to traditional yoga poses."
Why are they giving Christian names to yoga poses? If there is nothing wrong with yoga, why are they trying to Christianize it? It seems like they know this is contrary to Christianity but by changing the names they can covince Christians it's okay. Yoga is Hindu to the core; that's what people need to understand. The devil is trying to pull a fast one here.
Many churches now have yoga classes. But if the purpose of yoga is to awaken the Shiva (a Hindu god, known as the god of destruction and regeneration) in us, why would any Christian want to do it? We don't HAVE any Shiva in us! We are filled with the Holy Spirit...and should be doing things that will awaken the Holy Spirit in us. I think many Christians are ignorant of why yoga was created or what it comes from...so they just do the exercises to to relax, to stretch, to releave stress.
The Bible says that we are not to be unequally yoked with unbelievers...and what part has light with darnkness? Yoga is tied to a dark religion, so a Christian should not be doing it. The gods of other religions are demons, and those who practice yoga put themselves in danger of contacting demons. There is also the chakras to consider...these so-called "centers of energy." If the energy is not from the Holy Spirit, where does it come from? There is the Holy Spirit...and there are evil spirits. There is no middle ground.
My grandmother told the story of doing this dance, some kind of Egyptian dance. She saw eyes (as in demonic) looking at her...and she knew she would never do those movements again. Even if we don't see the eyes, I believe the demons are there waiting to take advantage when we do stuff that is from the tradition of a false religion.
I pray that Christians will truly be seperate and come out from among the world.
JeriRosePosted 12-26-2008 at 07:01 PM by JeriRose12
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Yoga
The aspect thats been focused on here is Biblically correct. as in the use of meditative practices is against God, because its a form of idolizing a false god of some form.
But, when speaking of "Yoga", we must be clear on this subject. For at our PACC- (Perham area Community Center), "Yoga" is taught, but only the physical exorcise part of "Yoga".
There is nothing wrong with that. For If such physical exorcise practices were included as against God, no true child of God could do any type of physical exorcise to keep fit.
It comes down to practices that put us into direct contact with "Famiiiar spirits"- (Satan or Demons), that God teaches us are an abomination to Him. And that directly relates to only the spiritual- (meditative) practices seeking to connect, join, etc with spiritual powers, entities, or to become one.
I was taught "Marshall Arts" physical offense/defense moves but by Military Standards of that time, the spiritual aspects could not be applied, for this was for Military War training purposes only.
There is no difference between that and being taught boxing, stick fighting or other physical types of protective moves to defend against physical attackers.
Even then, when taught such physical protective aspects, it makes a great deal of difference how we are taught to apply that knowledge/training.
I know personally, two Soldiers of true war experience, now in civilian Prisons for killing people inadvertantly because of automatic reflexes used in civilian circumstances.
Judges in the Courts considered them holding greater responcibility to control thier actions because of considered as "leathal weapons" from thier specialized training.
I studied both cases closely, since I knew them one before war training and one during war training. Thier cases showed they faced perpetrators who were not demonstrating a threat equal to the necessity of killing them.
Thus, when we are taught these types of protective moves, the "motive" for such must also be inline with God. If such is taught for the purpose of maiming someone severely, its not Biblically correct.
Marshall Arts and all other combative protective techniques, when taught Biblically correct, are for the purpose of not hurting another permanently, but keeping yourself from being harmed by the attacker.
Any aspect can be applied Biblically correct, but also has it's "Dark/evil" side of how it can be applied wrongly.
God teaches us thru Old and New Test to read and Meditate on His Word for God's guidance. Well, Satan imitates this, by supplying false doctrines and "meditative practices" for his false gods as well we are to seek contact/guidance etc with.
Do you see both the "Light" and "Dark" sides of this "practice"? Same as with physical specialized training, if applied by "God's" Standards, or by "Satan's" Standards. (Light and Dark sides).
Therefore, we cannot completely claim some practice is not right, accept under specific ways it is used/applied, inline with God.
Everything that is good is of God, and all that is evil is of Satan. Having the "knowledge" is one thing, but without the "Wisdom" to know how to apply it inline with God, makes all the difference.
The "Sanhedrin" - (Pharocees, saducees, Scribes, Nicolatenes and other Leaders), Jesus called "vipers", "Blind leading the blind", because they used and shared with the Jews, lies/distortions of God's Word for thier own purposes.
Jesus spoke of how we were not to do as the Pharocees did, openly praying fancy elaborate prayers to impress others, but then gave us the "Lord's Prayer", simple and to the point to pray instead.
Thats another clear example of the "Light" and "Dark" sides of applying the same "Word of God" right or wrong.
All responces have been incredibly accurate for "point of focus" and necessary for people to understand.
Keep it up Sisters in Christ.
God Bless!!Posted 07-29-2009 at 08:25 PM by Christian Commando 
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Hatha Yoga has grown in popularity in the West as a form of exercise that develops strength, flexibility, bodily relaxation, and mental concentration. Its true object, however, is to awaken the dormant energy (shakti) of Shiva* that animates the subtle body but is concealed behind the gross human frame.
This is why I do not agree with doing the excerizes. The poses of the exercizes were created to "awaken dormant energy." We have the Holy Spirit, and He is far from dormant! All we need do to awaken Him is pray and especially in tongues.
So, in some cases, like music, yes, it can be used for good or bad...but the Hindus came up with the excerizes as a means of awakening dormant energy and also the lotus position of the exercizes was used in worship of false gods.
JeriRosePosted 08-02-2009 at 02:27 PM by JeriRose12
