Ask the Pastor- Why Yoga Is Not Compatible with the Christian Faith

ASK THE PASTOR
(A blog topic request from Lindsey Reed and Cory Graham)

I’ll be honest, I’ve never practiced yoga, and until recently, I had not considered the act of yoga itself as sinful. For me, the stretching always seemed like just another form of exercise. But through this study, I’ve come to realize I might be wrong (still wrestling with it). I always knew the yogis, their mantras, and the spiritual system behind yoga were sinful, but I am coming to believe that the act itself is inseparable from those roots and may be wrong too.

And that’s where the danger lies. We cannot always trust our worldview, our assumptions, or what culture labels as harmless, or even what we label as harmless. As believers, we must test everything against the truth of Scripture. If we do not take our practices and measure them by God’s Word, we risk being deceived by what looks good on the surface but is, in reality, rooted in falsehood (1 Thessalonians 5:21-22).

In today’s culture, yoga is often marketed as a harmless form of exercise, stretching, breathing, and relaxation. Many people, including Christians, assume it is just a neutral wellness practice. However, when we look at yoga’s origins, spiritual framework, and intended purpose, it becomes clear that it is not compatible with biblical Christianity.

1. The Origins of Yoga Are Rooted in Pagan Religion
Yoga is not simply a workout routine; it is an ancient spiritual discipline from Hinduism. The word yoga comes from the Sanskrit root yuj, meaning “to yoke” or “to unite,” and its purpose is to unite the practitioner’s consciousness with Brahman, the impersonal Hindu concept of god (Feuerstein, The Yoga Tradition, 2001). In Hindu philosophy, yoga is inseparable from the worship of false gods and spiritual practices forbidden in Scripture (Exodus 20:3–5; Deuteronomy 12:29–31).

The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, the foundational text of classical yoga, outline eight “limbs” of yoga that include ethical codes, postures (asanas), breath control (pranayama), concentration, meditation, and absorption into the divine. These are explicitly spiritual steps leading toward Hindu enlightenment (samadhi), not mere physical health.

2. The Spiritual Postures and Practices Are Not Neutral
While stretching itself is not inherently wrong, yoga postures (asanas) were historically developed as offerings to Hindu deities (Subramuniyaswami, Dancing with Siva, 2003). Many poses are named after gods or embody spiritual symbolism, such as the “Sun Salutation” (Surya Namaskar), which was created as a form of worship to the Hindu sun god Surya.

God’s Word warns against participating in the worship or rituals of other religions, even if our intent is not to worship (1 Corinthians 10:20–21; 2 Corinthians 6:14–17). Spiritual practices designed for idolatry cannot be separated from their intended purpose without compromising biblical obedience.

More information on the poses themselves:

3. The Meditation in Yoga Contradicts Biblical Meditation
Yoga promotes emptying the mind through meditation, often using mantras or focusing on the self as divine. This is the opposite of biblical meditation, which is filling the mind with God’s truth (Psalm 1:2; Joshua 1:8; Philippians 4:8). In yoga, the goal is self-realization, you discover that you are “one with god” in a pantheistic sense, whereas in Christianity, we seek the knowledge of the one true God and submission to His Word.
Biblical meditation leads us to worship the Creator, not merge with creation (Romans 1:25). Emptying the mind to achieve altered states of consciousness can open a person to spiritual deception (Colossians 2:8; 1 Peter 5:8).

4. The Problem with “Christian Yoga”
In recent years, some have tried to “redeem” yoga by creating a so-called “Christian yoga,” where participants listen to worship music, read Bible verses, or pray while doing traditional yoga postures. While the intention might be to glorify God, the underlying issue remains that those postures and sequences were designed as acts of worship to false gods and are inseparable from their original spiritual meaning.

This is similar to Israel’s temptation in the Old Testament to blend the worship of Yahweh with the practices of surrounding pagan nations (2 Kings 17:33). God consistently rejected syncretism, mixing true worship with the forms of idol worship (Deuteronomy 12:30–32). Using Hindu worship movements and simply changing the words or music does not make them holy. In fact, it can confuse believers and unbelievers alike, sending the message that all spiritual paths can be merged.

Jesus taught that God seeks worshipers who will worship Him “in spirit and truth” (John 4:23–24), not in a form borrowed from false religion.

5. The Witness of the Church Is at Stake
Even if a Christian believes they can “redeem” yoga, the public perception and association remain tied to Hinduism and New Age spirituality. Paul’s teaching in 1 Corinthians 8–10 reminds us that our freedom should never cause another believer to stumble or to associate our faith with idol worship.

By participating in yoga, whether “Christian” or traditional, Christians may unintentionally communicate that all spiritual practices are compatible with Christianity, when in reality, the gospel calls us to forsake every form of idolatry (1 Thessalonians 1:9).

Furthermore, if we warn others about the dangers of yoga while still practicing its stretches ourselves, we risk damaging our witness. The world will see this as hypocrisy, and even fellow believers may be confused. Paul reminds us in Romans 14:16, “Therefore do not let what is for you a good thing be spoken of as evil.” If we tell someone yoga is idolatrous but continue using the same movements in our own lives, even under a different label, we send a mixed message. Instead of pointing them to Christ’s holiness, we leave them questioning whether all religions can blend together. As Christians, our call is to “abstain from every form of evil” (1 Thessalonians 5:22) and to live in such a way that our actions match our words. To maintain a faithful witness, we must carefully consider whether what we are doing builds up others in truth or becomes a stumbling block to their faith.

6. A Biblical Alternative
Christians should not be against exercise, as a matter of fact, we have gone the opposite way to gluttony (A blog for later) (1 Timothy 4:8), but we must be discerning about the spiritual origins of what we practice. Believers can find wholesome and God-honoring alternatives for stretching, breathing, and stress relief that do not borrow from false religious systems, such as Pilates, physical therapy-based stretching, or simply incorporating prayer and Scripture reading into a walk or workout.

Yoga is not “just exercise.” Its roots, symbolism, and goals are deeply spiritual in a way that is incompatible with the worship of Jesus Christ. Whether labeled “Christian” or not, yoga’s foundation is idolatry, and the Bible commands us to “flee from idolatry” (1 Corinthians 10:14).

The truth is, our worldview cannot be trusted unless it is tested against Scripture. What seems innocent on the surface may be a doorway to deception. The Lord has given His people all they need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3), we do not need to borrow from false religions to grow physically or spiritually.

In the end, every Christian will have to prayerfully decide for themselves whether participating in yoga stretches is right or wrong. My intention is not to cloud anyone’s conscience but to share what I have studied and the convictions I have come to. As for me, I cannot separate the movements from their origins in false worship, and I believe they present a danger to our witness and the purity of our devotion to Christ. This is what I have found, and I encourage each believer to search the Scriptures, seek the Lord, and walk in both truth and grace as you make your decision.

In Love,

Pastor Jody

References:
1.Feuerstein, Georg. The Yoga Tradition: Its History, Literature, Philosophy and Practice. Hohm Press, 2001.
2.Subramuniyaswami, Satguru Sivaya. Dancing with Siva: Hinduism’s Contemporary Catechism. Himalayan Academy, 2003.
3.Patanjali. The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. Translated by Edwin Bryant, North Point Press, 2009.
4.The Holy Bible, Legacy Standard Bible (LSB).