Question:  Yoga is a really big thing right now.  People who are doing yoga correctly seem to have pretty incredible bodies, both with muscle and in flexibility.  Is Yoga O.K. for Christians to follow?

            Rhonda

Answer:  Dear Rhonda,

            Yoga is once again becoming popular.  When the term “yoga” is used, there may be at least two meanings intended:

1.      the physical exercises of stretching, etc. alone or,

2.      The physical exercises as well as the philosophical meta-physical eastern religion foundation of yoga.

 Doing yoga exercises, as long as they are free from any overtly religious overtones or teachings (some doubt that they can be) is simply a physical endeavor.  But, as just stated, some doubt that even the simple physical exercise techniques can be separated from the unbiblical and New Age philosophical foundation of yoga – which, among other things, teaches the use of the “fourth dimension”.  This dimension is seen to be the master of the material world, and the mastery of this dimension gives adherents, according to these teachings, both spiritual and physical opposition to the historic Christian faith.

            In Christ,

            Greg Albrecht