May 15, 2008
OK, I was baited into this one by a good friend whose PR department would not permit him to blog it...and he figured I would be his huckleberry. Well, he guessed correctly. Christoga - a nice combination of YOGA and Christ - or is it? Now, I happen to have some dear friends who are committed Christians who were converted from Hinduism. It is interesting that Indian people who become followers of Jesus typically call poses dedicated to certain eastern gods...well...idolatry. Not us western, Oprah Winfrey watching, syncretism loving "Christians." We like our bodies to be filled with Yoga and our hearts with some person we vaguely call "Jeeezus."
Now, I am not going to get into a debate here on whether stretching is bad - of course it is not. Of course Yoga type stretching increases flexibility, strength and can make your body healthier. Yet if you want to stretch you do not need "Christoga" to do so. You certainly do not need yoga to "worship Jesus." Also, "getting centered" and eastern meditation are the antithesis of seeking the peace of God through meditation upon God's works, his Word and his attributes. Be still and know that I am God (Psalm 46)...this is the result of something Yoga cannot offer, a relationship with the creator God who is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble...yet we love to grab cool eastern stuff and mix it up without even knowing what it means.
OK, all the Yoga loving Christians can now send me your kind, loving, tolerant comments...
Comments
What about Pilates?
My wife does Pilates and I like the results. :-)
Posted by: Mike Radcliffe | May 16, 2008 12:10 PM
Yea pilates...Christolates...no, I got it "Pilate Praise" - that would be sweet. I don't know anything to be concerned with there.
Posted by: Reid | May 16, 2008 01:48 PM
This also brings up martial arts. What are your thoughts on them? Many christians participate or send their children. I have concerns because of the reaching inward for power, strength, chi, whatever.
Posted by: Jeff Whalen | May 23, 2008 11:28 AM
Jeff,
I think it would depend on the teachings of Eastern religion and philosophy being pressed hard on the kids or not. Just teaching a certain fighting technique is not bad at all.
Certainly some concepts such as oneness with the universe, connecting to chi etc can be misleading and have to be addressed as these things can arise in some martial arts philosophies. I think we should be teaching kids what the body is, what self control/discipline is, etc. from a God-centered perspective...this will help folks "hear the difference" when something false may be taught.
Certainly there can be concern with marital arts - but I don't think it is a blanket "NO" - but a cautious maybe.
Posted by: Reid | June 2, 2008 04:54 PM