I've heard quite an interesting debate about this. Christian 1 feels that yoga and meditation can be practised without any type of spiritual aspect to it (which can be true, depending on what form of yoga/meditation you use. I mean you can meditate on an image of Jesus if you like). Christian 2 feels that any form of yoga or meditation involves Eastern mysticism and religion is therefore sin.
So what do you think, sin or no? As a non-Christian it doesn't really matter to me but I'm intrigued to know how people feel.
Darrin I disagree. I practise two types of yoga. One, kundalini, most certainly has a spiritual aspect to it and involves the chakras and other things, and I would say it is probably sinful to a Christian. However, the other type I do is just the Westernised form of yoga used to strengthen muscles and increase flexibility. Whilst Eastern Yogis do this with spiritual intent, your average Westerner practises yoga simply to calm the mind and exercise the body, not service any "false" deities.
Actually, Jonathan Alexander, yoga is excellent for improving muscles and flexibility. This HAS been proven. It is a form of active meditation which has been proven to lower stress levels among other benefits...I suggest you do some research before making ill informed statement.
As for "competing" that is completely contrary to the whole spirit of yoga...of course you can't have a yoga championships what are people going to do see who can do the crow pose longest until they fall over? What a ridiculous statement.
And good way of NOT answering the question, try reading what I was actually asking.
So what do you think, sin or no? As a non-Christian it doesn't really matter to me but I'm intrigued to know how people feel.
Darrin I disagree. I practise two types of yoga. One, kundalini, most certainly has a spiritual aspect to it and involves the chakras and other things, and I would say it is probably sinful to a Christian. However, the other type I do is just the Westernised form of yoga used to strengthen muscles and increase flexibility. Whilst Eastern Yogis do this with spiritual intent, your average Westerner practises yoga simply to calm the mind and exercise the body, not service any "false" deities.
Actually, Jonathan Alexander, yoga is excellent for improving muscles and flexibility. This HAS been proven. It is a form of active meditation which has been proven to lower stress levels among other benefits...I suggest you do some research before making ill informed statement.
As for "competing" that is completely contrary to the whole spirit of yoga...of course you can't have a yoga championships what are people going to do see who can do the crow pose longest until they fall over? What a ridiculous statement.
And good way of NOT answering the question, try reading what I was actually asking.