Can Christians Practice Yoga? A Young Believer’s Guide to Faith, Movement, and the Mat

  

Can Christians Practice Yoga? A Young Believer’s Guide to Faith, Movement, and the Mat

By Buffy Olson

More and more young Christians are rolling out yoga mats in search of stress relief, spiritual grounding, and physical health. But among church pews and campus ministries, the question still lingers: Is yoga compatible with Christian faith?

For many, the tension lies in yoga’s spiritual roots. Originating in ancient India, yoga is deeply connected to Hindu and Buddhist traditions. However, the modern Western practice often focuses on breath, movement, and mindfulness rather than worship or theology. That distinction has become a point of openness—and confusion.

“Yoga doesn’t have to be religious to be transformational,” says Emily Stone, a Christian yoga instructor based in Austin, Texas. “For me, it’s a moving prayer. My mat is where I meet God.”

Stone is not alone. A growing number of Christian practitioners have adapted yoga into their spiritual lives, finding it enhances—not threatens—their faith. They see mindful movement as a way to love God with heart, soul, mind, and strength.

Discernment Over Dogma

While some church leaders warn against yoga as idolatry or spiritual compromise, others take a more discerning view. The key, many suggest, is intention. Are you using yoga to connect with God—or seeking something else entirely?

“Like anything, yoga can be misused,” says Reverend Lisa Matthews, a pastor and spiritual director. “But when practiced with awareness and reverence, it can help deepen a Christ-centered life.”

Matthews encourages young adults to pray before and after practice, choose teachers who respect their values, and substitute affirmations or chants that align with their beliefs.

What About the Theology?

Critics often point to yoga’s use of Sanskrit terms or meditative silence as incompatible with Christianity. But for some theologians, that’s an oversimplification. “Contemplative prayer, breath awareness, and bodily reverence are not foreign to Christian tradition,” says Dr. Ruth Hernandez, a professor of theology and embodiment. “We just haven’t always had the language or cultural tools to name them.”

The Christian tradition, especially through mystics and monastics, includes practices of stillness, body-centered prayer, and spiritual discipline that echo what many find in yoga. For young adults craving connection in a fast-paced world, this embodied spirituality feels both ancient and refreshingly relevant.

Benefits for Body and Spirit

Yoga offers more than flexibility and fitness. Studies have shown that it supports mental health, emotional regulation, and spiritual well-being. For young Christians facing anxiety, disconnection, and burnout, yoga can offer a sanctuary.

"I was skeptical at first," says college student Jamal Rivers. "But once I realized I could center my practice in Christ, it became a place of peace. It's helped me deal with anxiety and stay grounded in my faith."

A Few Practical Tips for Christian Yogis:

·        Begin and end your practice with prayer

·        Choose teachers or classes that honor your values

·        Use Christ-centered music or scripture during savasana (resting pose)

·        Reflect on Galatians 5:22-23—the fruit of the Spirit—as an internal guide

Recommended Resources:

·        Holy Yoga by Brooke Boon

·        The Sanctuary App for faith-based meditation

·        Yahweh Yoga (in-person and online Christian yoga training)

·        PraiseMoves, a Christian alternative to yoga

Final Word: Follow the Spirit

For Christians wondering if they can practice yoga with integrity, the answer may come through prayerful discernment rather than a one-size-fits-all rule.

"If it's drawing you closer to God, aligning you with peace and compassion," says Stone, "then maybe it's not about the pose—it's about the presence."

In the end, yoga can be one more way to live out Romans 12:1: "Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship."