Issues in Christian Encounters with Yoga: Exploring 3HO/Kundalini Yoga

Summary

This paper examines criticisms of Hindu postural yoga in Western Christian contexts, using Bikram Yoga as an illustrative example. Identified issues include cultural misappropriation, commodification, lack of moral prerequisites, narcissistic bodily attachment, occult influences, and doctrinal differences. The analysis then turns to 3HO/Kundalini Yoga practiced by Christians, finding that its grounding in Sikhism sidesteps most of these concerns. The remaining substantial issues involve doctrinal compatibility and religious syncretism, which some Sikhs have also raised against 3HO/Kundalini Yoga itself.

Study at a glance

Abstract

The paper begins by drawing out current issues that have been raised by critics concerning the contemporary practice of Hindu postural types of yoga in western and specifically western Christian contexts, with some illustrative reference to contemporary movements and schools, especially to Bikram Yoga. These are: cultural misappropriation; commodification; lack of moral pre-requisites; narcissistic attachment to bodily effects; occult influences; and doctrinal differences. The paper then explores specific aspects of the theory and practice of 3HO/Kundalini Yoga (3HO/KY) by Christians in light of these possible issues, showing how this tradition of Kundalini Yoga seems to skirt or side-step most of them, simply by the way that it locates and grounds itself in Sikhism. The substantial concerns for Christians practicing 3H0/KY seem related to issues surrounding doctrinal compatibility and religious syncretism—criticisms that have been raised also by some Sikhs against 3HO/KY itself.

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