Is Yoga Lawful but Not Helpful?
- evolvedhealing1
- Sep 15, 2025
- 2 min read
Many Christians, including myself have wrestled with the question: “Can I do yoga as a believer in Christ?” After all, stretching feels good, the movements are healthy, and the classes are popular everywhere. But how do we reconcile this with Scripture?
Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 6:12:
All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.”
All Things Are Lawful
Stretching, breathing, and moving the body are not sinful in themselves. God created the human body with joints and muscles (our somatic nervous system) and breath (His Spirit), and caring for it is good stewardship. From that perspective, movement is lawful.
That’s why I now practice mobility exercises, movements like lunges, squats, and hip openers to strengthen my body, improve flexibility, and honor the way God designed me to move. These are purely physical exercises with no spiritual attachment.
Not All Things Are Helpful
In the past, I practiced yoga. I never bowed to Hindu gods or chanted in Sanskrit, but I did use yoga as a way to calm my mind, create peace, and carve out “quiet time.” At first it seemed harmless even healthy. But then I realized something: I was turning to yoga to find the peace that only Christ can give.
The peace of Christ is not the peace of the world. The peace of the world exists only when there is no conflict. The peace of Christ true shalom is wholeness, harmony, and well-being in both body and soul, even in the midst of conflict.
Instead of reading Scripture, praying, or seeking God’s presence, I was depending on yoga for stillness. That subtle shift turned yoga into a substitute for intimacy with God.
Not Under the Power of Any
Paul warns that even lawful things can enslave us. For me, yoga had become more than exercise, it was where I sought my peace. It wasn’t open idolatry, but it was quietly replacing God’s role in my life.
Now I see the difference. Mobility movements are simply body training. Yoga, however, carries a spiritual framework that even unintentionally can draw the heart away from Christ.
Redeeming the Good
Does this mean Christians should never stretch or breathe deeply? Absolutely not. We can take the physical benefits of movement and keep them rooted in Christ. We can stretch, breathe, and exercise to the glory of God without aligning ourselves with practices that carry spiritual confusion.
True freedom is found in living with Christ as the only source of peace not under the power of yoga or any other practice.
Our bodies belong to the Lord (1 Corinthians 6:19–20). Let’s care for them in ways that strengthen both body and spirit in Him alone.
A Free Resource for You
If you’ve been looking for a way to move your body while keeping your heart anchored in Christ, I’d love to gift you my free mobility videos. They’re simple, effective, and created to help you move with strength, flexibility, and freedom without any spiritual compromise. ✨ You can download them now in my shop✨
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