Yoga is extremely popular around the fitness world, and many wonder if it fits nicely into Christian Fitness. Is there this brand of thing as "Christian yoga" or a "Christian alternative to bikram yoga? " While many fully grasp that yoga originated in Of india, few realize it is a member of the Hindu religion.
Those who think yoga is nothing but a series of stress-relieving stretching exercises may be surprised to know about true foundation of regarding the multi-billion dollar yoga craze in the states.
According to Webster's Bush Dictionary, yoga (coming from an east Indian Sanskrit word proper "union with god" or even "to yoke") is "a mystic and all this ascetic Hindu discipline for achieving union and with the supreme spirit through yoga breathing, prescribed postures, controlled take in, etc. "
As sons and daughters growing up on New york, I became involved with yoga at age of seven when my family I began watching every yoga exercise program in the news (thinking it was "just exercise"). For one more 22 years I was heavily associated with yoga, metaphysics and will be the Age movement until I got a follower of Jesus Christ i feel late 20s.
George P. Alexander, Ph. D., in order to taught World Religions by going to Biola University, is buddy of our family. First crawled the beach in Sri Lanka, George become full grown in India, the birthplace of Hinduism and relaxation. He told us that yoga postures has long been offerings to the 330 gazillion Hindu gods.
"Many Westerners who practice yoga today don't know that the physical positions was feeling in yoga symbolize a new spiritual act: worshiping article marketing Hindu gods, " Hdd. Alexander said. "To the Hindu, yoga is the outward physical expression linked with an deep spiritual belief. A person separate one from a different. "
Since yoga is tied so strongly to Hinduism, can there be such a thing as "Christian breathing, " or would could an oxymoron (a contrast in terms)? Many practicing Hindus maybe you've Christians agree that as being the yoga IS Hinduism, just cannot be combined.
Are there various ways to bring flexibility training into a Christian's fitness program without having done yoga? Yes! There are plain vanilla stretching courses maybe you've Christian alternatives to yoga which incorporate elongates with Scripture. Practitioners meditate upon Bible or speak verses aloud which fit in with each stretching posture. For example, in PraiseMoves, a Christian replacement yoga, "The Angel" posture is in the course of Psalm 91: 11, "For Your dog shall give His angels credit over you, to keep you in your particular ways. "
As Dr. Alexander spoken us, "My question to put Christians who practice yoga is, 'Why would you would like to better your body by aligning and a religious philosophy that is inconsistent with the Christian faith? '" Prudent question.
And now I want to invite you to come across my free "Fit Social book marks Devotional" and PraiseMoves FitNews. To search out yours, go to praisemoves. net praisemoves. com.
Laurette Willis 2009
Christian Fitness professional and author Laurette Willis is it Director of PraiseMoves, examining fitness programs, DVDs, books and working out for those interested in a Christian alternative to yoga, and fitness as part of spirit, soul and body at praisemoves. com. To go to Laurette on Twitter consider twitter. com/Fit4Christ twitter. com/Fit4Christ.
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