Christian Yoga

 I don't' think anything can top the  "WOW" factor  of Christian Domestic Discipline (S & M light) but the following is a close second.

Although the fundie response in regards to Yoga as exercise IMHO is a bit off the wall, at least it can be seen as biblically based (not that I agree with some interpretations, too many hoops to jump through).

The basic argument against Yoga goes something like this:

1] Definition of Yoga - a Hindu spiritual and ascetic discipline, a part of which, including breath control, simple meditation, and the adoption of specific bodily postures, is widely practiced for health and relaxation.

2]  The Sanskrit meaning of Yoga - the word “yoga” comes from the Sanskrit root ‘yuj’, which means “to yoke” the spirit and physical body together.  Various traditions of Yoga are found in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism.  (It's the "yoking" part the fundies have issue with.)

3]  The so-called "red-flags - Yoga is not an exercise practice, but a religious one. (Did you know Hindus hate Jesus?).  And second, Yoga is designed to prepare the mind to have a spiritual experience.

4]  (Some) Scripture used to condemn Yoga - the idea of yoking oneself to pagan gods and concepts is forbidden. (Leviticus 19:31 Deuteronomy 18:9 Hebrews 10:26-31, Acts 4:12, and this biggie: Joshua 23:16.)  Our bodies created to be “a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God which is our spiritual act of worship” (Romans 12:1).  Jesus says, “I am the truth. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:16)  The list goes on, but you get the idea.

So given that brief synopsis (and there is much more to why fundies are against Yoga but beyond the scope here), how can this be justified?  The "this" refers to "Christian Yoga" and how Laurette Willis justifies her teachings and exemplifies one of the principle reasons I'm anti-religious, anti-Bible, an atheist.

 “For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s” 1 Corinthians 6:20.

Just like with divination, where I can find verses condemning, I can find just as many verses supporting.  It is called contradiction.

See also: 
Does doing yoga make you a Hindu?

Yoga classes vary. While some feature the chanting of Hindu sutras, others will make vaguer references to a "life force" or "cosmic energy". A session might end with a greeting of "namaste" and a gesture of prayer. There will probably be a moment for meditation, at which point participants may be encouraged to repeat the sacred word "Om", which Buddhists and Hindus regard as a primordial sound which brought the universe into being.

But other classes may make no overt reference to spirituality at all.

[,,,]
The reason many people in the West think yoga is non-religious, Broyles says, is that it falls into a theological blind-spot. "Whereas Protestant Christianity focuses on words and beliefs, ashtanga yoga's focus is practice and experience," he says. Religious intentions may not be there to begin with but practising yoga might lead them to develop.

To an extent, this point of view is endorsed by Hindus themselves. The Hindu American Foundation recently ran a campaign called "Take Back Yoga". Sheetal Shah, from the organisation, says someone raised in an "exclusivist" tradition like Islam or Christianity who becomes very interested in yoga may eventually experience some conflict with their religious beliefs.

So, for American Christians who don't like the idea of yoga, there are alternatives, including PraiseMoves.

This exercise regime combines Christian worship with stretching exercises. As the class adopts a posture, they recite a verse from the Bible. In this way, bhujangasana or the cobra pose becomes the vine posture, with a corresponding verse from John 15:5. "I am the vine and you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."

For the record, I am not against Yoga. Though I do not participate in Yoga, I do meditate and I also use Ti Chi. While I do agree that Yoga is or can be a spiritual practice, I also believe one CAN sperate the movements, the exercise, away from the belief system it is "attached" to. I find this "debate" and angst toward Yoga to be very disheartening considering the health of our nation.