A dear friend of mine who has been coming to my class for more than a decade, sent me a Facebook post of a post with the title “Yoga is idolatry. Be warned” She was not upset, she just wanted my thoughts on it.  Since I’ve spent hours thinking and praying about this because honestly, I struggle with people who have that same opinion too.  I had already been thinking about writing it… so here goes!

As you know if you’ve read my testimony I teach a Christian based meditation, breathing and stretching class.  I move to strengthen my body so I can keep doing the things I love to do.  A body in motion stays in motion. As we age (I’m 65 years young at this writing) we must keep moving: slowly, mindfully, gently, and intentionally so we CAN keep moving! It is my desire to create a safe place for others to feel safe in their body and connected to Jesus on a deep level to receive healing in their heart, soul and mind.  The enemy of our souls does not want us to be healthy and whole! He will do whatever he can to cause us to live in dis-ease in body, mind and spirit. But, thankfully according to God’s word, He has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity!

2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

When God’s children have had their lives traumatized by the enemy of their souls through demonic oppression and/or depression, it is natural they fear what they don’t understand and what others who live in fear project into their lives.

As I have humbly and honestly sought the Lord Jesus about this ministry, these are the scriptures that have set me free to continue doing what I believe He has called me to do.

Acts 10:11-15 He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds. Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.” “Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.” The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”

We honestly don’t know when or where yoga started. Some say it is Hindu, other say it was written on the walls of caves somewhere in another century. It doesn’t really matter because what we do is not related to the past. We worship the One True God of the Bible, the Father of our Lord Jesus the Christ and Creator of everything.  He is so much higher than anything else and what He has made clean is truly pure and clean!

I know that some people don’t agree and will never agree.  That’s ok, this is not for them. This is for those who like me, must honor our own hearts calling and do what God has given them to do to remain strong in spirit soul and body. But please do not project your fear of the unknown on others and in the same way, I respect the feelings of others who disagree with me.

Romans 14:3-4; 34 Those who feel free to eat anything must not look down on those who don’t. And those who don’t eat certain foods must not condemn those who do, for God has accepted them. Who are you to condemn someone else’s servants? Their own master will judge whether they stand or fall. And with the Lord’s help, they will stand and receive his approval… But whoever has doubts is condemned if they eat, because their eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.

Permit me to share my journal from September 12, 2022: “We do not know what we’re becoming but we know whatever we practice is what will guide our life.  The same way the thoughts we think and the words we speak determine our destiny; movement in the physical body and the food we eat determine our health; spending time in the quiet place of our soul, listening for the still small voice of our Creator God will draw our spirit to Him and bring strength and fortitude to our whole being.”

What are you practicing? What is God really saying to you? Honor that! We know our God and He gives peace and comfort. Not fear! I do not believe we can accidentally worship demons. Nor will you accidentally take the mark of the beast or give allegiance to the antichrist accidentally! It is a full mental ascent to do what you choose to do. It is an act of our will.

I can’t speak for every Christian yoga teacher, but I pray those who come to my group will be confident that we worship the one true and living God and His son Jesus only.

Respectfully, Ann