09.5 STERILIZED YOGA?...Yoga without the Yoda?

09.5  STERILIZED YOGA?...Yoga without the Yoda?

The mosquitoes in TX are a real problem but what's worse are the pesticides.  The city management used to spray our houses at night with pesticides that are harmful to everyone and everything, not just the mosquitoes.  The community put a stop to that.  The pesticides endanger God's natural defense against the mosquitoes:  the frogs, lizards, birds and bats that eat the mosquitoes. 

It is the sterilizing mentality that says, "In order to eliminate the bad you must kill all life.  Clean it.  Bleach it.  Eradicate it.  It's easier.  It's quicker and at the very least, people will have the emotional comfort of feeling like something is being done about the problem."  It's so "Stepford"!

Sterilizing yoga by just taking out the yoga philosophies and calling it "Christian" makes everyone feel better.  But is it effective?  I believe all good exercise needs good spiritual content, so it is better to replace the bad spiritual content with the good than to simply have no spiritual content at all. That's why it is much more enjoyable for me to teach WholyFit in the church environment with Scripture, prayer and worship then in health clubs without Scripture. Don't get me wrong; WholyFit is extremely popular in the health club environment. My classes at 24 hour were the most well attended class of any kind at the Woodlands Store, however that just is not enough for me.  There wasn't enough real life in it for me to expend my energy teaching classes in the long run.  Teaching WholyFit with Scripture however, never gets old because God breathes new life into it with every new routine set to a new Scripture.

If you pour cement over a forest floor to prevent weeds, there will no longer remain an ecosystem.  There will be no natural way that the forest will stay clean through God's systems.  The forest becomes lifeless - good for nothing but a parking lot where nothing grows, where nothing moves.  The forest, the Christian, has become worse than the original state.  Exercises without any pursut of God is lifeless and sterile.  With no Scripture, no worship, no prayer, no intervention and leading of the Holy Spirit it is pharisee-ical, law abiding alone, has no heart and no spirit.  It is a lifeless shell, cement, empty.  The Pharisees preached "sterile" religion and there was no life in it.  

WholyFit must have the stress management element of Scripture memorization, seeking God, praying for one another, relying on the Holy Spirit, relying on the comfort, empowerment and beauty of the Lord in order to be a true Yoga alternative.  Yoga is a counterfeit because it could never offer true stress management.  Only Jesus, the Prince of Peace has the power to invade our lives with His love.

Some people I know actually refuse to exercise at all, they even refuse to do WholyFit because they don't want to do anything that looks like yoga.  The problem is that all other exercise systems like running or lifting weights are too hard for them or unappealing so they just don't exercise (and then they criticize me because I do).   Instead of sterilizing your life, why not nurture life?  Wouldn't it be better to replace yoga with something that has life in it, like WholyFit?

We are not to sterilize our lives.  Life is messy.  Instead we need our lives filled to abundant overflow.  We need to put ourselves in an environment where God can renew and fill our minds, not empty them.  The renewing of our minds only comes through the authentic work of the Holy Spirit as we memorize and meditate on God's Word.

Renewal is not about the absence of the wrong things, it's about the presence of the right things:  hot pursuit of God and his ways.  It is His Holiness that we are measured by and our own feigned holiness and sterility will not measure up.  Setting our minds on absence will bring an outcome of nothing-ness or worse. Nothingness is a vacuum that leaves want and hunger.  We must set our minds on the Lord. We must fill our mind with His Word.   

Matthew 12:43-45a

"Now when the unclean spirit goes out of a man, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and does not find it.

 "Then it says, 'I will return to my house from which I came'; and when it comes, it finds it unoccupied, swept, and put in order.

 "Then it goes and takes along with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there; and the last state of that man becomes worse than the first...

If there were no memorization of Scripture or worship in WholyFit, I would have given it up long ago.  It is the power of the transforming life of the Holy Spirit that keeps people coming to WholyFit.  We do WholyFit to seek the Lord.  Even secular people enjoy the comforting words from Scripture. Teachers don't preach, we simply speak out the Word of God. Whether a Christian or not, hearing the Word will enrich your life and soul and bring true stress management and power into your circumstances.  It will plant seeds of good in your heart that will bring you good all the days of your life.  Why would I withhold that for any of my participants? 

Leaking Light

A replacement of Yoga must be a renewed, regenerated work of the Holy Spirit, a transformed and transfigured approach, dripping with the life and anointing of God and let our light SO shine that it bring glory to the Father.  We are not just to "shine", we are to shine SO THAT the Father receives glory.  Our light must be the "leaking out" of heaven on earth.  We are not to simply change our actions we are to place ourselves in an environment where God can renew our minds.  This will never happen in the mesmerizing environment of Yoga.  We've got to become radically holy:  wholly holy.

Generics Are Boring

However a replacement exercise system for yoga cannot just be a "generic" version of yoga.  Generics are second best.  People buy the generic when they can't afford the original.  WholyFit is the real thing.  Yoga is the counterfeit.  I say that because God first created the human body.  He is Lord of it.  He gives wisdom and knowledge as to how to keep it healthy.  WholyFit takes into account the "creation principals" for care of the body, and we use personal training secrets like eccentric isometric exercise that build strength and flexibility faster than conventional exercise systems.  These physiological principals transcend yoga because they were before yoga.  Yoga is just a counterfeit use of God's good principals.  In WholyFit we reclaim good biomechanics and exercise physiology for the Kingdom. 

WholyFit is good exercise and good stress management that appeals to everyone, non-christians and christians.  Whether a participant is Buddhist, Presbyterian or Catholic, God's Word will accomplish wonderful good for that person to comfort, uplift, renew and regenerate.  I'm just saying that when our strength is build spiritually it has a profound affect on our bodies whether Christian or not.  Of course God's Word grows best in the heart that is His.   

Yoga without the Yoda?

Yoga teachings are very similar to the doctrines of  that little green guy on Star Wars.  He might be loveable and fun to watch at the movies but  his religious views certainly are not to be taken seriously nor should they be applied to real life.  The God of the Bible wants a personal, intimate relationship with us. God is not a vapid "force" looking down from far away in some detached, languid manner. God loves us deeply and longs for us to know Him. He wants to inhabit our lives and make us full of His joy.  WholyFit is not yoga without the Yoda.  That would be a sterilized approach.  WholyFit exists as a separate and independent exercise system. 

Yoga the Symptom

 It is important to clarify that yoga is not the root evil, the widespread acceptance of yoga religion is only a symptom of the spirit of the Antichrist that has come into our culture.  This spirit has been alive and active for generations and generations and can be seen emerging throughout the history of the United States and the whole globe.  It's out there everywhere.   Not participating in yoga is good, but will not eliminate the influence of the anti-christ spirit. It takes the life of Christ to counteract the work of the antichrist.

The Divine Self and Other False Teachings

The key to spotting the spirit of the Antichrist is the emphasis on self above all else.  Yoga teaches the preoccupation and intense focus on the self in order to find the higher power within.  This distraction with the "divine self" keeps people away from looking outside themselves to find the true God who created them.   The Yoga philosophy of Samahdi is the same concept as "self realization" or "self actualization" in TM and secular Humanism.  These psychological terms are highly accepted by our culture as "good".  I was taught in high school that self actualization was the state all people should reach for in order to achieve the highest state of mental health and well-being.  On the contrary however, I know now that well-being, wholeness, only comes with the knowledge of God through Christ.

Star Trek Next Generation is one of my favorite TV shows.  I just love the adventure and exploration and emphasis on a "can do" attitude.  Many of the episodes affirm that God has created humans to be able to do all things and overcome good with evil.  However on the whole, I realize that Star Trek is completely God-less.  The Star Trek generation of the 24th century is a good culture which has put an end to all poverty, hunger and illness.  There is no more prejudice and there is complete harmony and world peace.  Yet in all the episodes, still the human condition of sinfulness is there as much as it ever was: murder, strife, lust, power mongering.  Though "enlightened" by Star Trek standards, its generation is still ineffective in getting at the root problem of the human condition:  selfishness.  For example, marriage and family in the 24th century is not the norm.  Pursuit of self realization through increasing knowledge, like exploration of the universe, prevents the senior staff from getting married and raising a family.   Preoccupation with personal freedom and personal preferences are exalted as euthanasia and homosexuality are defended.    

Preoccupation with self causes breakdown in the family unit, the biggest seguay our culture has taken into acceptance of the Antichrist spirit as a way of life.  Sex is viewed as another way of relating to many people throughout one's life and living together without marriage commitment is the norm.  On the other hand, revival comes with the Elijah spirit, and a "turning of the hearts of the fathers back to the children".  

Teaching people, "Do not dance, Do not watch R-rated movies, do not do Yoga..." is legalistic and it doesn't teach people the more important issues of heart obedience to Christ in all areas of life.  It's more important to teach people the words of Jesus.  Then when a person hears the teaching that "All paths lead to God" in a Yoga class or a Buddhist meditation retreat or on Star Trek, they will recognize the error.  The important issue is whether or not Christians can discern the spirit of the Antichrist. They do this by knowing the Word and ways of God not by being legalistic.   Instead of saying, "Do not do Yoga" WholyFit instructors provide a fun alternative  that teaches memorization of the Word of God.  They share Gods love with people.  By the way, I do still watch Star Trek...

Yoga and Humanism

Since we are talking about Yoda, Star Wars and other humanist cultural influences, we should know what Humanism is, the religion of human worship.  I don't know why these philosophies are called "New Age". The should be called "Old Age" because they go all the way back to the Tower of Babel.  Humanism is an anti-Christ philosophy that shows up everywhere in our culture.  Very basically, Humanism teaches that only that which can be known through reason is true.  Humanism denies God and spirituality. 

It may surprise you that yoga and transcendental meditation could easily be classified as humanist philosophies.  Transcendental meditation (TM) is the kind of meditation yoga teaches.  The humanistic concept of “Self Actualization” is foundational to transcendental meditation, but is called, "Enlightenment" in TM.   TM is touted to be a harmless stress management technique, but in reality it enables spirit channeling and other dangerous New Age religious practices.

Read below about what a former student of the Mahareshi, Vail Caruth, says:   (Included by permission of Vail Carruth http://www.living-light.net )   TM Guru Maharishi Mahesh Yogi repeats the same old jargon that  I’ve heard a hundred times about Yogic meditation:

“Transcendental Meditation is a simple effortless technique that aids relaxation, relieves stress and provides physical and mental energy. As such, it does not conflict with any existing beliefs, religious or otherwise. However, many people do report that regular meditation gives clarity and perspective to their highest aspirations.”

In reality, TM is a dangerous spiritual practice.  Read below about what a former student of the Mahareshi, Vail Caruth, says:   (Included by permission of Vail Carruth http://www.living-light.net )

“When Maharishi Mahesh Yogi brought Transcendental Meditation (TM) to the United States in the 60’s, it took the Berkeley campus by storm, with the promise that it would relieve stress and that through the practice of TM, one could reach cosmic consciousness in five years. …   It has caused many to experience mental and spiritual problems, such as oppression and even possession by malevolent spirits.  During a teacher training course while in bed one night, a powerful spirit tried to overpower me, but I resisted it (with great difficulty) until it left.  I remembered hearing someone ask Maharishi what to do if they encountered a demon.  He answered, “Don’t be afraid, invite them in.”  Another time, however, he said to “resist it” and it will leave.  Providentially, I chose the latter suggestion.  But the experience was very scary."  - Vail Carruth, author of “Authentic Enlightenment”  http://www.living-light.net

Both TM & Yoga proponents claim to pursue a pure science of the mind that aids reason and has no spiritual repercussions.  Both TM and Yoga proponents insist that their practices are not religious and do not interfere with any other religious belief. 

Teachers of TM insist that: 
"Transcendental Meditation technique is not a religion or philosophy and involves no change in lifestyle." (www.tm.org)

The above statement is not truth.   Here is the proof:  Vail reveals the truth that the mantras used in TM are the names if Hindu deities!  How is that not religious? To the humanist, there is no God and no religion.  Anyone who would claim that TM and Yoga are not a religion dismiss the religious beliefs of others which is extremely arrogant.  They believe those of us who are "encumbered" by religious beliefs simply have not evolved to a higher state of mind and therefore our opinions should be discounted, treated as non-existent.

I did a homework assignment with my son and thought I would share some interesting facts with you.  (His teacher is Mrs. Bankhead of Legacy.)  Please post your own research and input on Humanism on the blog at www.wholyfit.org/live-player.  Below is Mrs. Bankhead’s research that will help you identify humanism in contemporary media.

FREQUENT HUMANIST IDEAS:
(This list is representative, but not exhaustive.  Not all of these are always humanistic. Context is important.)

• Autonomy

• Diversity in lifestyle, toleration of

• Education as the solution to all problems

• Free conscience

• Free individualism

• Free inquiry

• Free science

• Free society

• Freethinking

• Human welfare

• Intellectual maturity

• Nobility of human race, man’s basic good

• Psychology meeting man’s basic needs

• Relevance to modern society

• Self-actualization

• Skepticism

• Social justice

• Tolerance as a virtue

• Values adjustment / clarification

If you are a former TM or Yoga meditator, and you have had any demonic oppression problems from it please share them with us so we can help others.  We would be glad to pray with you. www.wholyfit.org or wholyfit@live.com

Kundalini

Yogis use the term "kundalini awakening" for the Secular Humanist term, "self actualization"  When I began to investigate Yoga as a Christian, before WholyFit,  the "Kundalini" awakening experience was explained to me in two ways: 

1.  as perfect health

2.  as the loss of all personality into a pool of cosmic consciousness. 

Let's go to an expert who has really experienced this phenomenon as a non-Christian, and now explains it as a Christian:

Mike Shreve, former Yogi says: (included by permission of Mike Shreve www.thetruelight.net, www.shreveministries.org)

“First, some background information. I taught Kundalini Yoga at four universities in Florida in 1970, with several hundred students attending my classes. I studied personally under a guru named Yogi Bhajan and ran a yoga ashram myself. Each day was consumed with spiritual disciplines: from 3:30 AM to 9 PM. In my classes, I incorporated many Hatha Yoga techniques. Kundalini Yoga claims to be an amalgamation of many types of yoga and a blending of the best benefits from all types, including Hatha.”

He continues,

“According to the Bible, the presence of God can only be accessed through the soul being washed in the blood of Jesus and a person being “born again.” This regenerative experience definitely leads one to a ‘higher state of consciousness’ (a conscious awareness of the reality of God) but it is totally different than anything offered through Eastern religions. Biblical salvation is not the result of some “serpent power” travelling up through the spine from within; it is the result of the power of the Holy Spirit entering INTO a repentant person from WITHOUT. So the contrast of these two approaches to spirituality actually reveals two very different views of God in His relationship with creation (Pantheism versus Theism).”

Mike explains why Yoga’s “serpent power” is spiritually dangerous:

“The “serpent power” unleashed in meditation is not the power of the Holy Spirit, nor is it merely the latent power of the soul-it is a power that even gurus admit can be, at times, very destructive to the yoga practitioner. So where does this power come from that can potentially be so dangerous? It should help the inquisitive reader to see that there is absolutely NO account of anyone in the Bible being harmed who was filled with the true Holy Spirit (symbolized by a dove-a harmless creature). But there are undeniable accounts of insanity or dark occultic powers being the by-product of an encounter with this power likened to a serpent (a creature which can be quite harmful).”

I quit teaching and taking Yoga for reasons like this.  I do not believe that Christians should participate in "Christian Yoga" either because they are still using the traditional Yoga poses. Many of the postures in Yoga are designed to release this "serpent power" up the spine and lead it to a point at the top of the head in order to open the "chakras" to unity with the divine, (or some said this was the act of becoming "divine" or "realizing your divinity").  I want no part in that. 

Yoga postures (whether Christian or not) (**this sounds like you are saying the postures are owned by yoga.  Maybe you could rewrite that to say something like ‘The postures used in yoga’, or ‘when a posture is done in yoga it is not for fitness goals, but rather for religious purposes’, or something to that effect? ) are not necessarily based on fitness goals.  They are based in Yoga tradition and its religious purposes.  WholyFit exercises are based on fitness principals alone (see the picture at the top of the page) and that is one thing that makes 

Call us for Help

As stated above, if you are a TM or Yoga meditator, and you have had any encounters with maleficent spirits or entities tell it to leave in the Name of Jesus.  Have a true Christ follower, like a (Christian pastor, or a) WholyFit instructor, pray with you.  Fill out a contact form from the website at www.wholyfit.org and I will give you my cell number.   Those of us who have the Spirit of Jesus within have been given authority over all demonic power through the Blood of Jesus. 

Luke 10:19
I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.

"Samahdi"

Yoga  teaches the humanistic pursuit of self actualization through "Samadhi".

Wikipedia gives a good definition:   "Samahdi is a Hindu and Buddhist technical term that usually denotes higher levels of concentrated meditation, or dhyana, in Yogic schools. Nirvana of Buddhism is a step towards Samadhi [1]. It is the eighth and final limb of the Yoga Sutra of Patanjali, and comprises the pinnacle of achievements in samyama, the three-tiered practice of meditation including also dharana and dhyana. It has been described as a non-dualistic state of consciousness in which the consciousness of the experiencing subject becomes one with the experienced object,[2] and in which the mind becomes still (one-pointed or concentrated)[3] though the person remains conscious.  Within Hinduism there are other uses of the term. Sahaj samadhi is the effortless and continual state of perfection."

"Intellectual maturity", "nobility of human race" & "innate goodness" are all yogic and TM concepts.  These ideals may sound lovely on the outside, but deep down, they are not Biblical.  Yoga teaches that all people are divine, but that they need to achieve self actualization in order for them to realize their divinity.  They believe they can reach their innate god-hood through doing Yoga and meditating.  What does the Bible say?  The Bible says that we are all born with original sin; in other words, everyone is in need of salvation.  We all have a sinful nature and are in need of the salvation of Christ ..."so that every mouth may be closed and all the world may become accountable to God..."  (For context please read Romans 3:10-20,  Psalms 14:1-3; 53:1-3; Eccles. 7:20)

Samadhi is one concept that shows so clearly the subtle way that Yoga teaches people to seek salvation independently from God.  Yoga teaches that humans are born "good" (innate goodness) and that is their basis for believing that they don't need God.  The Bible is very clear, however, that we cannot gain salvation* on our own.  We need God's forgiveness and intervention.  

Isaiah 43:25

 "I, even I, am the one who wipes out your transgressions for My own sake, and I will not remember our sins." – God   

Rather than being a noble idea, the belief in innate goodness is actually very prideful.  Instead of bringing us toward goodness and truth, this humanist ideal actually leads people away from God and goodness.  The truth is that since we are not perfect, we do need God.   Only a perfect man could achieve salvation* for all.  God became a man, lived the first and ONLY perfect life, and this man, Jesus, gave His life on the cross for the salvation* of everyone who would accept  Him. (Read Romans 3:21-27)

John 1:12

 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name,  

(*Salvation is a Christian-ese term which means to be united with God in life and guarantees heaven when we die.)  

I reject Yoga completely because Yoga rejects the Deity of Christ and the Oneness of God.  Yoga rejects the death of Christ as our only means to salvation*.  WholyFit exists to educate people about the dangers of Yoga and to offer a replacement for Yoga for Christians and the general public.   It is not only our responsibility to offer exercise that is an alternative to Yoga.  This activity comes with the necessary responsibility of continuing to educate our class members about the dangers of yoga.  We do not want a situation where our class participants go to WholyFit one day of the week and yoga on another.  If that is the case they are not hearing our message!  Download the free pamphlet "Yoga Versus the Bible" from the website, and simply take one concept every week to meditate on.