Why Yoga Is Not for Christians: The Spiritual Deception Behind the Stretch

People love to say, “It’s just stretching.” Let’s tell the truth: yoga is a spiritual system from Hinduism, built to yoke you to powers and deities that are not the God of the Bible. The English word yoke should ring a bell for Christians—who and what we yoke ourselves to matters.

The Spiritual Roots of Yoga

Yoga wasn’t invented as a neutral fitness class. Historically, its practices—including breath work, poses (asanas), and meditation—were designed to prepare the body and mind for worship, devotion, and union with other gods. The widely promoted goal of “awakening kundalini” is described as serpent energy. In Scripture, the serpent is a deceiver, not a healer (Genesis 3:1–5).

“You shall have no other gods before Me.” — Exodus 20:3

What the Poses Represent

Many popular poses carry devotional meaning. A few examples for discernment (not instruction):

• Sun Salutation (Surya Namaskar): a flowing sequence historically honoring Surya, the sun god.
• Cobra / Serpent Themes: tied to serpent imagery and awakening of kundalini.
• Lotus: symbolic in Hindu/Buddhist worship postures and meditation states.

When the origin is worship of other deities, the form isn’t spiritually neutral simply because we rename it “exercise.”

“What fellowship has light with darkness?” — 2 Corinthians 6:14

Why “Christian Yoga” Doesn’t Work

You can’t sanctify an altar to another god by adding a worship playlist. The root determines the fruit. God doesn’t ask us to borrow pagan forms to meet Him; He calls us to worship in spirit and truth.

“Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord.” — 2 Corinthians 6:17

The Counterfeit of Peace

Yoga promises calm by emptying the mind. Scripture calls us to renew the mind (Romans 12:2), fixing our thoughts on what is true (Philippians 4:8). True peace is a Person—the Holy Spirit—not a posture.

Better Ways to Move and Worship

Stretching and caring for your body are good things when done for God’s glory. Try gentle mobility, worship dance, or strength and flexibility routines that focus on gratitude, Scripture, and prayer. You can move your body and praise the Lord without bowing to another system’s spiritual roots.

“Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” — Romans 12:1

Bottom line: Yoga was never meant to draw you to Christ. Choose movement that keeps your heart, mind, and body aligned with Him.