Three Ways Christians Can Make Sense of Yoga
by Dana Moore

I. As a way to prepare for meditative prayer.

A few simple yoga exercises will help you become relaxed in body, relieved of mental preoccupations, and restful in spirit.

II. As a practice in cultivating spiritual values.

Patience, sensitivity, non-judgment and many similar spiritual values can be cultivated on the yoga mat. As we work with the abilities and limitations of our bodies and our habitual ways of responding to challenges, we have the opportunity to practice these virtues.

III. As a physical health practice.

A good yoga routine is one of the most comprehensive, holistic health practices available. All of the dimensions of physical fitness are cultivated in an integrated way. These include strength, flexibility, balance, coordination, concentration, and deep breathing.

Yoga exercises as preparation for meditative prayer Yoga exercises to cultivate spiritual values Yoga exercises as a physical health practice

DIAGRAM I

This diagram presents three ways in which we can make sense of yoga exercises. If we use yoga exercises to help us prepare for a period of meditative prayer (the highest level), we will enjoy the benefits of yoga as a way to cultivate spiritual values and as a physical health practice simultaneously. If we use yoga exercises as a physical health practice alone, we will not necessarily cultivate the values on levels one or two. The most efficient approach would be to use yoga as a way to prepare for meditative prayer because we would then enjoy benefits on all three levels. A holistic practice is an activity that involves and cultivates all three levels in a unified and mutually supportive way.

PRAYER TIME AFTER YOGA EXERCISES

DIAGRAM II

Prayer Time After Yoga

In this diagram we see that after spending some time doing yoga exercises before a period of meditative prayer, the body is relaxed but active and therefore supportive of the spirit in its prayer. The mind has been relieved of preoccupations and we will be less distracted as we practice the very subtle art of meditative prayer. If we are using a prayer word, the mind is also kept “occupied” with this one thought which reduces the virtually constant flow of thoughts that grab our attention. The fruits of yoga exercises are more appreciated when we find ourselves “tightly wound” and “stressed out.” A relaxed state of body and mind is undoubtedly more supportive of our prayer life, and yoga exercises are an excellent way to accomplish this.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ASANA & MEDITATION

DIAGRAM III

Yoga and Meditative Prayer

As Christians it is helpful to make some distinctions between the primary objectives of yoga exercises and meditative prayer. We can say that yoga exercises work on a “horizontal” level to improve the function and integration of our body, mind, and spirit. Meditative prayer, on the other hand, focuses on our relationship with God in a direct way. Assuming a relaxed seated posture, we open ourselves in meditative prayer to a loving exchange with God who dwells in the center of our being. In yoga we direct our attention to our body as we guide it through a variety of exercises. Through yoga practice we learn to work with our body with patience, respect, sensitivity, acceptance and other similar spiritual values. In meditative prayer our attention is directed towards God who dwells at the center of our being in the depth of our hearts. When we use yoga to prepare for meditative prayer, as the 2nd diagram illustrates, yoga in the service of meditative prayer expresses a balance between the horizontal and vertical dimensions.