What is holy yoga?

1. Summary of the Question

The question, “What is holy yoga?” explores the concept of a Christian adaptation of yoga practices, designed to combine physical exercise with Christian worship, prayer, and meditation. Holy Yoga aims to provide a Christ-centered alternative to traditional yoga, focusing on deepening one’s relationship with God while enjoying the physical benefits of stretching, balance, and relaxation. This answer will explore the origins of Holy Yoga, its intended purpose, how it aligns with or diverges from biblical teachings, and how Christians can thoughtfully engage with such practices.

2. Context and Background

Historical Context: Traditional yoga originated in ancient India as a spiritual practice within Hinduism, aimed at achieving union with the divine through physical postures (asanas), breathing exercises (pranayama), meditation, and ethical disciplines. Over time, yoga became associated with various forms of Eastern spirituality, including Buddhism and Jainism. Each pose, breath, and meditation was originally intended to connect the practitioner with a higher consciousness or nature.

Cultural Context: In recent years, yoga has been embraced in Western culture primarily for its physical benefits—improving flexibility, strength, and mental well-being. Amidst this trend, “Holy Yoga” emerged as a Christian response to the practice. Founded by Brooke Boon in 2006, Holy Yoga seeks to provide Christians with a way to participate in yoga while keeping Christ at the center. The practice involves physical yoga postures combined with Christian worship music, prayer, and Scripture meditation, with an emphasis on connecting with God rather than reaching Eastern enlightenment.

Literary Context: For Christians, the challenge is discerning whether practices like Holy Yoga truly align with biblical teachings or if they inadvertently compromise one’s faith by integrating elements from non-Christian religious practices. This requires a careful examination of what the Bible says about worship, spiritual practices, and the use of one’s body as a temple of the Holy Spirit.

3. Biblical Foundation (NASB 2020)

Several scripture passages provide a foundation for evaluating practices like Holy Yoga:

• 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NASB 2020): “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.”
  This passage underscores the importance of using our bodies in a way that honors God. Holy Yoga claims to align with this teaching by using physical exercise as an act of worship, turning a potentially problematic practice into an opportunity for spiritual growth centered on Christ.
• Romans 12:1-2 (NASB 2020): “Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…”
  Holy Yoga emphasizes the renewal of the mind through Scripture meditation and prayer while engaging in physical exercise. The goal is to transform what may have been a worldly practice into one that renews the mind in Christ.
• Colossians 3:17 (NASB 2020): “Whatever you do in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.”
  The intent behind Holy Yoga is to ensure that all aspects of the practice, from movements to meditation, are done in the name of Jesus, thus honoring God.
• 1 Timothy 4:8 (NASB 2020): “For bodily training is just slightly beneficial, but godliness is beneficial for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.”
  While Holy Yoga acknowledges the benefits of physical exercise, its primary focus is on nurturing godliness through worship, prayer, and Bible study, making the spiritual benefits the priority.

4. Addressing Other Perspectives

There are varying perspectives within the Christian community regarding practices like Holy Yoga:

1. Supportive Perspective: Many Christians support Holy Yoga as a way to engage in physical exercise while focusing on Christ. They argue that it can be a powerful tool for meditation, prayer, and Scripture study, transforming what could be a spiritually neutral or negative practice into a Christ-centered experience.
2. Cautionary Perspective: Some believers caution that even with a Christian focus, the origins of yoga are difficult to separate from their spiritual roots in Eastern religions. They argue that while intentions may be good, the postures and breathing techniques could inadvertently open participants to spiritual influences incompatible with Christianity.
3. Rejecting Perspective: Others outright reject any form of yoga, including Holy Yoga, on the grounds that it is impossible to separate yoga’s physical practices from their spiritual origins. They believe that Christians should avoid practices rooted in non-Christian religions entirely and instead seek other forms of exercise that do not have such associations.
4. Alternative Christian Practices Perspective: Some suggest that Christians engage in other forms of mindful movement or exercise that do not have the same spiritual baggage as yoga. This could include practices like “PraiseMoves,” Pilates, or other fitness routines specifically developed within a Christian framework.

5. Clarifying Misunderstandings

A common misconception is that Holy Yoga is just “yoga with a little Christianity thrown in.” In reality, proponents of Holy Yoga claim to completely reframe the practice by centering it entirely on Christ—using the physical movements as a form of worship rather than a means of attaining spiritual enlightenment as in Eastern traditions. However, even with this intent, the physical movements still mirror those in traditional yoga, which could be problematic for some believers.

Another misunderstanding is that all yoga, including Holy Yoga, automatically involves chanting or meditation on Hindu deities. Holy Yoga specifically avoids these practices, substituting them with Christian worship songs, prayers, and Bible verses. Nonetheless, for some, the concern remains that the physical postures themselves cannot be divorced from their original spiritual purpose.

6. Practical Application and Relevance

For Christians considering Holy Yoga, several practical factors should be weighed:

• Evaluate the Practice Carefully: Understand what is involved in a Holy Yoga class. Are the instructors clear in focusing solely on Christ? Are the prayers, worship music, and Scripture meditation truly at the center of the practice, or is there any blending of Eastern philosophies?
• Consider Personal Convictions: Romans 14:23 reminds believers that whatever is not done from faith is sin. If a Christian feels uneasy about participating in Holy Yoga due to its origins or potential associations, they should abstain to maintain a clear conscience.
• Seek Wisdom and Discernment: Prayerfully seek God’s wisdom on this issue. Ask Him for clarity on whether this practice is something that can help deepen your relationship with Him or if it presents potential spiritual pitfalls.
• Alternative Practices: Consider alternatives that provide the benefits of stretching, balance, and relaxation without the potential spiritual concerns. There are Christian fitness programs explicitly designed to offer these benefits while remaining rooted in biblical principles.

Practical reflections for Christians include:

• Focus on Biblical Worship: Always prioritize spiritual practices that clearly align with Scripture and focus on worshiping God in spirit and truth (John 4:24).
• Ensure Christ-Centered Intentions: Whether engaging in Holy Yoga or another practice, ensure that your primary goal is to draw closer to God and glorify Him in body and spirit.
• Remain Open to Conviction: Allow the Holy Spirit to guide you and be willing to step away from any practice that begins to feel spiritually compromising.

7. Encouragement and Conclusion

The question of whether to participate in Holy Yoga requires thoughtful consideration and prayerful discernment. While proponents of Holy Yoga seek to redeem the practice by centering it on Christ and removing any non-Christian elements, concerns about its origins and the symbolism of its postures remain valid for many believers.

Christians are encouraged to approach this issue with a commitment to honoring God in all things, recognizing that not everything that is permissible is necessarily beneficial (1 Corinthians 10:23). The goal should always be to love what God loves, hate what He hates, and do everything to His glory. If Holy Yoga helps someone deepen their walk with Christ without causing confusion or spiritual compromise, it may be a tool that God can use. However, if there is any doubt or potential for spiritual conflict, seeking alternative forms of exercise and worship that are firmly rooted in biblical teachings may be the wiser choice.