Christian Alternatives to Yoga practice ...

[mikitta]

Have any of you tried Praise Moves or Wholy Fit yet? I'm thinking I may put aside some money and get a couple of the videos - especially the Hebrew Alphabet exercises from Praise Moves and the SloFlo (alternative to Tai Chi) from Wholy Fit.

Do any of you have experience with either of these companies?

God Bless,
mik

[micah719]

Hi Sister Mikitta,

In my pre-repentance days I taught 10 years of Yang Short Form Tai Chi and a rather hard-core version of Southern Praying Mantis Kung Fu including Iron Shirt (complements my Concrete Head ;) ). There is no way to separate these techniques from the underlying philosophy, and the same is true for Yoga.

After just a very short look at the websites and videos, my advice to you is to stay far far away from both of them and any others that resemble them.

SloFLo clearly states that it is based on Yang Long form Tai Chi, and the dreamy voice and "soothing" new agey music and the rank-belted uniforms confirms that this is just a hybrid with the same intent as the original; to get you to to focus on self and fleshly sensations and cause a consciousness-altering state (aka trance). Danger!

Praise Moves' website is full of endorsements from graduates of secular humanistic universities, as well as practitioners of the discredited religion of chiropracty (which isn't science, so religion is the only other option, but whose??), and the testimonies are from people you likely don't know. Hanging a Bible text on something doesn't necessarily mean it's Biblical or safe. In fact, that text they use is more of a warning to not do what they want you to do to get your money. Anything claiming to heal your spirit that costs you money is suspicious isn't it? Oh dear, those poor uncounted millions that had to make do without the wonderful miracles the Spirit chose to reveal just now in the waning last days, for a modest fee of course...sad about the rest that had to make do with The Holy Spirit until The Lord fixed His mistake. (that was sarcasm, He is sufficient in all things and knows what you need before you do, and dodgy eastern stuff isn't it).

As genuine Christian alternatives that have Biblical support, here's a couple that spring to mind:

Walking. The Lord Jesus Christ Himself did a lot of this, and you can even meditate on Scriptures and pray to The Lord from a clear mind rather from one that is "guided" by dangerous techniques from eastern religions. If you have been blessed with living in a lovely area, perhaps reflect that if a fallen creation can look this good after thousands of years of mutations and death and misery and greedy defilement, how good must it have been on that first Sabbath when The Lord rested and called it all "very good"; another pleasing thing to ruminate on is what He has in mind when He creates all things new and we are forever with Him. Optional accessories for Walking may include a Dog, who is ideally suited to teaching you about Love, Joy, Playing, and Contentment, especially in interaction with Snacks and Ball/Stick/Cat/Other Dogs.

Swimming. Biblical records indicate that swimming can be hazardous in Flood conditions (Noah and Family wisely stayed out of the water) or when hungry Great Fish are about (and you just happen to be playing hooky from a ministry task and your shipmates inquire what's going on, like Jonah's, though the ending that time was most instructive, prophetic and happy). However, evidence is also conclusive that The Lord is well able to keep you safe even when maritime transportation devices unexpectedly experience undesirable setbacks through inclement atmospheric conditions (Paul got shipwrecked a couple of times); perhaps this is because imminent danger of drowning and/or becoming a shark's dinner promotes genuine heartfelt prayer. The Lord is also able to rescue you from Davy Jone's locker when faith falters, though attempting to walk on water is better left until you receive clear instructions from The Lord, or your name is Obama in which case you consider yourself lord already and/or are desperately trying to win a mid-Term election. Dangers more likely to face you these days are the fashion of immodesty in modern swimwear, chlorine-burn in the eyes at the pool, or stinging jellyfish and sandflies at the beach. Note: the Dog (see above) will likely also enoy this mutual activity outdoors, but sharks like tasty dogs, dogs also have the ability to project considerable amounts of water in their vicinity after ceasing immersion and lastly, some people may find Eau de Mutt particularly offensive when Fido is wet.

There's probably many different exercises available to keep the flesh in line and reasonably healthy until your new unbreakable body is issued to you, but whatever you do make sure it doesn't involve mixing dodgy ideology and false religion in with it. Best of all, it doesn't have to cost money or make you look foolish. Sorry for adding a bit of levity, it's 2 am and it's getting really hard to stay awake, been working on a couple of things and I felt like a humour break. If it's too much let me know and I'll prune it to essentials.

[Laurette]

Hi, Mikkita!

If you would like, I'd be happy to send you one of our PraiseMoves DVDs as a gift. Perhaps you would like to review it for the Forum -- completely up to you.

You may write to me on the contact form at the PraiseMoves.com website with your address and I'll send one of the DVDs to you. You mentioned the PraiseMoves Alphabetics which mirror the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet (alef-bet!) - we meditate on some of the acrostic passages of Scripture (Ps. 119 and Proverbs 31:10-31). I can send that to you, if you'd like. Also the Lord's Prayer Scripture Sequence in both Hebrew and English (which I love - I'm really amazed that everything points to Jesus - even the Hebrew letters! Glory to God!!!).

There's a lot of free info and material on the PraiseMoves site - working to add more all the time. For those looking for information on the dangers of yoga, the article "Why a Christian ALTERNATIVE to yoga?" at PraiseMoves.com - Quite extensive article - can also be downloaded to share with others who may be confused about yoga (not realizing that yoga IS religion and that the postures in yoga are offerings to the 330 million Hindu "gods" - Acts 15:29 says we are to "abstain from THINGS offered to idols"). See the true foundation of PraiseMoves (it's not the exercises) and the redemptive nature of some of what we have been called to do. God is merciful.

PraiseMoves' foundation scripture: "For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's" (1 Corinthians 6:20).

Glory to God for His marvelous works, and that He chooses the FOOLISH thing of this world (like me)... so grateful for His redemption and delivering work. He is able.

Forgive me for the lengthy note, but I thought it might be of interest - and thought you might want to review one of the DVDs for the group. If questions about PraiseMoves, the best I can do is point Forum members to the article above. I hope that will be helpful.

Again, if I may send you one of our DVDs, Mikitta, please let me know. May God richly bless you - Laurette

[micah719]

See the true foundation of PraiseMoves (it's not the exercises) and the redemptive nature of some of what we have been called to do. God is merciful.

Uh oh....redemptive? God is merciful but also just, and Acts 15:29 includes fornication which can be spiritual as well as physical. Ok, I won't harp on, the warning stands and you're free to do what you decide, and may The Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on us all.

[Kist]

Uh oh....redemptive? God is merciful but also just, and Acts 15:29 includes fornication which can be spiritual as well as physical. Ok, I won't harp on, the warning stands and you're free to do what you decide, and may The Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on us all.

I agree with you Micah, why combine eastern religion with Christ when there are alternatives?
As for the possibillity of swimming I'd say don't swim in open water unless you know what you are doing, or there is some form of supervision. One false move and you're in trouble.

[mikitta]

Laurette :) sent you a PM and a message on the Praise Moves site. Thank you for your post here !

God Bless,
mik