4 Yoga Misconceptions and How Christian Practitioners Can Respond

Why are there so many yoga misconceptions? After 25 years of teaching yoga, I believe that yoga is often misunderstood, especially within Christian communities. Misconceptions about its origins, purpose, and spiritual implications are especially concerning for Christians who question whether or not they should practice yoga.. 

I hear questions like these all the time: Is yoga Hindu? Are the poses a form of worship to other gods? Is it just another New Age trend wrapped in crystals and moon rituals? And most commonly, does yoga have any place in the Bible? These concerns leave many believers uncertain about whether yoga aligns with a Christ-centered life.

In this post, we’ll gently unpack four of the most common yoga misconceptions and offer a thoughtful, biblically grounded perspective. Whether you’re a Christian practitioner or simply curious, this guide aims to bring clarity, compassion, and practical insight for those seeking to honor both their faith and their embodiment practices.

Yoga is a Hindu Practice

There’s no denying that yoga is deeply culturally intertwined with Indian culture, but it is not only practiced in India. In fact, the origins of the practice can be traced back over 5,000 years and has roots in many ancient Eastern countries. The word yoga can be translated as “to yoke,” and the practice is used to connect body, mind, and spirit.

Yoga is, in essence, meditation-in-motion and is meant to be the bridge activity preparing the body for resting meditation. The practitioner chooses the subject of meditation. In the Christian tradition we practice in The Yoga Abbey, yoga is used to surrender our striving and connect with our true identity in Jesus Christ.

Yoga Poses Worship Hindu Gods

Nope, this just isn’t true. For starters, any kind of worship starts with intention. The Bible tells us repeatedly that God looks at our hearts (our motivations, our desires, our intent) and not the exterior like man does. When we step on our mats with the intention of drawing near to God, yoga becomes worship.

What you will discover is that some yoga poses are named after Hindu deities. Remember how yoga originated in India and flourished amidst their culture? Naming poses after characters from well-known stories in the Bhagavad Gita or other sacred texts would have clued the practitioner into the inspiration behind the shape. 

For example, Downward and Upward-Facing Dog poses mimic the movements dogs make when they yawn and stretch. The Warrior poses are named after a powerful warrior, Virabhadra. To the original practitioner, this would have brought to mind a story of a fierce, courageous, and powerful warrior.

This is not unlike how we name our children after Biblical characters like Moses or Hannah, hoping that they will adopt certain characteristics of those people. In naming our children after these heroes of the Bible, we’re not worshiping these characters, but drawing inspiration from them.

Just because some shapes are named for Hindu deities doesn’t mean you are worshiping them by making that shape with your body. God is the creator of our bodies and giver of our breath, and no other belief system can lay claim to that when we step on our mats with the intention of drawing near to God.

Yoga is in the Same Category as Other “Woo Woo” Stuff

I get it. Practicing yoga in a fitness class at a traditional gym feels fairly safe. You might try some weird breathing exercises, but it feels like any other fitness class. Outside the gym is a different story. Yoga can get lumped in with all kinds of subcultures, ranging from “a little out there” to the occult.

Fear is a natural response to new and potentially uncomfortable experiences. We value two things at The Yoga Abbey to help combat that fear. First and foremost, all our content is Jesus-centered. And secondly, we encourage a posture of curiosity.

We ask you to approach new-to-you experiences with openness. Trying an imaginative prayer practice, for example, may feel too “woo woo” for you, and that’s okay. For others, it may be the experience that helps them break through and create a deeper connection with God for the first time. That’s the beauty of the Imago Dei. We are all beloved and vital reflections of God.

Yoga Isn’t in the Bible

Okay, you got me on this one. No, Downward Dog isn’t in the Bible, but embodying your faith through sacred rituals and different methods of prayer is. Through the blueprint of the Tabernacle, God’s people were given a visceral way to draw near and be with Him. Then there is Jesus, God in the flesh, walking among us, teaching us about who God is and how to pray and live our daily lives slowly and with purpose.

God With Us didn’t come to an end when Jesus stopped walking this earth. But with the distractions of daily life, it’s hard for us to connect with the Divine. The word yoga means to yoke. Yoga is a way to unite body and mind so we can more easily connect with the Spirit of God within and around us. It’s a way to calm our racing thoughts and release the tension of all the hard things we bring to the mat so we can hear that still small voice.

How Christians Can Move Beyond Yoga Misconceptions

As Christian practitioners, we’re invited to discern, not dismiss. While yoga may carry associations with other spiritual paths, it doesn’t belong to any one religion, and it certainly isn’t off-limits to followers of Jesus. 

When practiced with intention, yoga can become a form of embodied prayer, a spiritual discipline, and a way to draw near to God. By confronting yoga misconceptions head-on and reclaiming this practice through a Christian lens, we can break free from fear and make space for healing, worship, and a deeper connection with Christ.

So no, Downward Dog isn’t in the Bible, but spiritual discipline, sacred embodiment, and creative prayer are. Let’s move forward in truth, with grace, and keep asking the deeper questions about how to integrate our faith with our full selves body included.

Christ-Centered Yoga Can Deepen Your Faith

As we’ve explored, most misconceptions about yoga come from a lack of understanding about its context and purpose. While its roots are ancient, your yoga practice can be a meaningful way to connect more deeply with God through body, mind, and spirit.

Yoga invites us into the art of abiding. It helps us navigate the tension between spirit and flesh, reminding us that we belong both to heaven and to earth. For Christians, it can become a way to release the burdens of this world and receive the yoke of Christ.

At the end of a session, as we rest in stillness, we are reminded to surrender our own efforts and receive the breath of God. In that quiet space, we recall Jesus’ invitation and rise from our mats carrying His peace, confident that we do not walk through this world alone.