Romans 12:2 says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

Jonah: I’ve heard you mention that you participate in yoga. As Christians, we’re clearly told in 1 Corinthians 10:21, “You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord’s table and the table of demons.” Yoga’s origins are deeply rooted in Hinduism and other eastern religions that are not in line with Christian teachings. How do you reconcile this?

Carl: For many Christians like me, yoga is purely a physical and mental exercise. The Bible emphasises the importance of taking care of our bodies in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, which says, “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honour God with your bodies.” Yoga can be a way of honouring God by maintaining our physical health and mental peace.

Jonah: I understand the benefits of physical health, but yoga involves meditation and chants that could lead you to spiritual pitfalls. Deuteronomy 12:30-31 warns, “be careful not to be ensnared by inquiring about their gods, saying, ‘How do these nations serve their gods? We will do the same.’ You must not worship the Lord your God in their way because in worshiping their gods, they do all kinds of detestable things the Lord hates.” Aren’t you afraid of unknowingly partaking in these spiritual practices?

Carl: And that’s why I, and many other Christians, choose to practice a form of yoga that focuses on the physical postures and relaxation, and not the religious aspects of traditional yoga. Additionally, Christian meditation, as mentioned in Psalms 1:2, “but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night,” is about filling our minds with God’s word, not emptying it. So, if anything, yoga can be a time for reflection on God’s Word if we approach it with the right mindset.

Jonah: It’s not just about the physical postures. Many of these postures have spiritual meanings in their origins. When we participate in them, aren’t we inadvertently paying homage to other deities? We should be cautious as Romans 12:2 says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

Carl: But as Christians, we’ve always taken secular or non-Christian practices and redeemed them for Christ. Christmas and Easter, for instance, have pagan origins, but we now use them to celebrate Jesus. It’s the intention behind the action. If our intention is to connect deeper with God, find peace in our chaotic lives, or just keep our bodies healthy, I believe God looks at the heart, as 1 Samuel 16:7 says, “Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

Jonah: I’ve observed how influential culture can be. Yoga has become such a trend, and Christians often want to fit in, avoiding any form of ostracisation. But Jesus says in John 15:19, “If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world.” Shouldn’t we be more distinct, rather than blending in with the world’s practices?

Carl: Let’s also consider the Apostle Paul in Athens, as described in Acts 17. When he saw an altar with an inscription to an unknown god, he didn’t condemn them for it. Instead, he used it as a starting point to introduce them to the God he served. He was familiar with their culture and engaged with it to convey the message of Christ. Being familiar with yoga or practicing its non-religious aspects doesn’t necessarily mean we’re conforming, but could be a bridge to understanding and outreach.

Jonah: We’re called to be salt and light as per Matthew 5:13-14. Salt preserves and adds flavour, while light illuminates. If we partake in everything the world does, aren’t we in danger of losing our saltiness and dimming our light?

Carl: I believe that it’s about the condition of our heart and our intention, Jonah. We can be in a yoga class for the purpose of health and relaxation without compromising our faith. It’s similar to eating food from various cultures that may have once been dedicated to idols. Paul addressed this in 1 Corinthians 8. He speaks of food sacrificed to idols, saying that while we know an idol is nothing, we should be sensitive to those whose consciences are weak. It’s about awareness and understanding our personal convictions and those of our fellow believers.

Jonah: The danger I see is that newer believers might not have that discernment. They might see a seasoned Christian practicing yoga and assume it’s perfectly aligned with our faith, not knowing the potential spiritual pitfalls or the origin of certain practices.

Carl: And that’s why it’s crucial for us, especially those of us who might be in leadership or influential positions, to educate and clarify. If we choose to engage in practices like yoga, we should be ready to explain our stance, ensuring that we emphasise the importance of keeping God at the centre of all we do.

Jonah: I’ve also come across another popular fitness trend among Christians: Pilates. While it might not have the religious roots that yoga has, Joseph Pilates, its founder, integrated both Western and Eastern ideas into his philosophy. There’s an emphasis on “controlling the mind” and other concepts that may not entirely align with Christian thinking. As Philippians 4:7 says, “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Shouldn’t our minds be guarded by Christ rather than the philosophies of men?

Carl: I see where you’re coming from. It’s always essential to examine any practice that might influence our spiritual well-being. However, Pilates, for most practitioners today, is primarily a physical exercise focusing on core strength and flexibility. While Joseph Pilates may have had a philosophy behind his method, many who practice it today are unaware of or uninterested in that aspect. It’s similar to how many physical practices, like martial arts, have philosophies but can be practiced purely for the physical benefits.

Jonah: Doesn’t the very name “Pilates” carry with it the intentions and beliefs of its founder? When we engage in such practices, are we not subtly aligning ourselves with whatever those philosophies might be? 2 Corinthians 10:5 instructs us to “take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”

Carl: I believe that context matters. Many things we engage in daily, from the technologies we use to the food we eat, might have origins or backgrounds that aren’t necessarily Christian. But as you rightly pointed out earlier, it’s the condition of our heart and our intention that truly matters. If someone is doing Pilates purely for health reasons, without adopting or even being aware of any conflicting philosophy, I believe God sees that heart intention.

Jonah: But consider this: As Christians, we should always be cautious of the potential influence even seemingly benign practices might have over our spiritual lives. While Pilates may primarily be seen as a physical exercise, its underlying philosophies, if allowed, can subtly seep into our thinking. We are warned in Colossians 2:8, “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.”

Carl: That’s a valid point. It’s our responsibility to be informed and discerning. If a Christian decides to take up Pilates or any other practice, it would be wise to understand its origins and ensure that they’re not unknowingly adopting beliefs that conflict with their faith. It’s also crucial to ensure that any practice doesn’t become an idol or take precedence over our relationship with God.

Our faith calls us to continuously seek wisdom and understanding. It’s vital for us, as Christians, to engage in these dialogues, always aiming to reflect God’s love and wisdom in our lives and the lives of those around us.