Asanas in Yoga — Postures of Worship or Portals to Bondage?
Introduction:
In modern culture, yoga is often reduced to physical exercise. But at its spiritual root, every asana (yoga pose) is far more than a stretch — it is a ritual posture with ancient spiritual meanings, designed to align the practitioner with Hindu deities, cosmic forces, and energetic gateways. This post breaks down what asanas really are, how they work, and why they are not neutral, especially for Christians or spiritual seekers.
1. What Are Asanas?
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Definition: "Asana" means "seat" or "posture" in Sanskrit. It originally referred to the meditative seat of a yogi who would sit for long durations in trance or worship.
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Purpose: Asanas are intended to discipline the body, channel spiritual energies, and invoke specific gods or powers through symbolic bodily postures.
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In Texts: Ancient Hindu scriptures such as the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, and Gheranda Samhita describe asanas not as stretches, but as sacred rituals for preparing the body as a temple for awakening Kundalini.
2. What Happens Spiritually in an Asana?
| Function | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Embodiment | You mimic the form of a deity, animal, or myth — inviting its essence. |
| Activation | Each pose stimulates chakra points, opening spiritual gates. |
| Invocation | The physical shape becomes a portal for spirits or energy flow. |
| Worship Offering | Many asanas reenact ancient acts of devotion or sacrifice. |
3. Categories of Asanas
| Type of Asana | Example | Purpose in Yoga | Spiritual Concern |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meditative Poses | Padmasana (Lotus) | Deep trance, breath regulation | Throne of false gods, inviting Kundalini |
| Standing Poses | Tadasana (Mountain) | Grounding energy, alignment with cosmos | Earth element invocation |
| Forward Bends | Paschimottanasana | Surrender to higher self | Submission to false divine force |
| Backbends | Ustrasana (Camel) | Heart chakra opening | Emotional surrender to spirit realm |
| Twists | Ardha Matsyendrasana | Detoxing, energy purification | Psychic unblocking; opening spirit gates |
| Balancing Poses | Vrikshasana (Tree) | Balance body/mind/spirit | Aligns you with nature spirits |
| Inversions | Sirsasana (Headstand) | Flip perception, awaken higher self | Crown chakra stimulation |
4. Origin Stories Behind Poses
Each pose typically honors or mimics:
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A Hindu deity or demon (e.g., Virabhadrasana = warrior created by Shiva to kill his father-in-law)
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An animal sacred in Hinduism (e.g., Cow, Cobra, Peacock)
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A natural element or cosmic force (e.g., Mountain, Sun)
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A battle, story, or cosmic act (e.g., Hanuman’s leap across the ocean)
These are not neutral or purely aesthetic but are ritual reenactments.
5. Asanas and Chakra Activation
Practicing certain asanas in sequence begins a process of chakra opening, especially when combined with:
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Pranayama (breathwork)
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Mantras (Sanskrit chants)
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Mudras (hand symbols)
This directly awakens Kundalini, the serpent power at the base of the spine — not the Holy Spirit but a counterfeit spiritual possession.
6. The Biblical Warning
Romans 12:1 — "Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God…"
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Yoga asanas present your body to another spiritual system.
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Scripture never uses bodily poses as a means of worshiping Yahweh.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 — "Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit."
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Yoga postures dedicate your body to other gods and invite defilement.
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No stretch or flexibility gain is worth the cost of inviting spiritual infiltration.
7. Layman Takeaway
If you're attending a yoga class and moving your body into a "simple pose," understand:
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You may unknowingly be reenacting a myth that involved violence, idol worship, or demon activity.
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You are forming your body into a living idol or altar for a non-Christian spirit.
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Even if you're silent, your body is speaking in spiritual language.
Summary Table of Dangers in Asanas
| Asana Category | Spiritual Risk | Biblical Violation |
|---|---|---|
| Meditative | Opens mind to false spirits | No command in Bible to empty the mind |
| Heart-Opening | Submits emotions to unknown forces | Spirit of Jezebel often enters through emotions |
| Inversions | Flips natural flow of spirit discernment | Calls light dark, and dark light (Isaiah 5:20) |
| Animal-Inspired | Brings in animalistic spirits (bestial nature) | God made man in His image, not animals |
| Sun Salutations | Direct sun-god worship (Surya) | Forbidden in Deuteronomy 4:19 |
Final Word:
Yoga asanas are not stretches — they are spiritual shapes.
Each one speaks to the invisible world, either opening or shutting doors. In Christ, we are not called to align our bodies with cosmic energies, but to yield our lives to the Holy Spirit through obedience and prayer.
“Be not conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…” – Romans 12:2
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