christian yoga part 2

People have tried to separate the asanas (that is the physical aspect of yoga) from the other nine parts. At which point all the yoga purists sneer and say it isn't really yoga at all without the other bits left in. In the christian yoga setting, the meditation on self is supposed to be replaced with meditation on God, but this is really a little ludicrous since you are trying to approach God from a self-discipline standpoint; and you might recall how that worked out for the pharisees.

But we don't have to really guess and wonder and argue too much about these sorts of things because we have a very clear guide in the bible. Two passages come immediately to mind that speak to this sort of thing, and merely from the physical standpoint. 1 Timothy chapter 4 verses 1-8 sums it up pretty nicely:

1 The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. 2 Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. 3 They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. 4 For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving,  5 because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer. 6 If you point these things out to the brothers, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, brought up in the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed. 7 Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. 8 For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.

While I might not step out on the limb and call yoga and tantrism the doctrines of demons (although I get the distinct feeling I should) it definitely falls into the category of godless myths and old wives tales. and the passage above says to have nothing to do with it. It goes on to say that while physical training is of some (small) value that Godliness has value for all things. Godliness and adherence to doctrines that are not scriptural, old wives tales, myths and legends are not compatible. Here, from the wiki, is the myth about how Hatha yoga came to be:

Traditionally, Lord Shiva (आदिनाथ) is credited with propounding Hatha Yoga. It is said that on a lonely island, assuming nobody else would hear him, he gave the knowledge of Hatha Yoga to Goddess Parvati, but a fish heard the entire discourse, remaining still throughout. Lord Shiva took mercy on the fish (Matsya) and made him a siddha, who came to be known as Matsyendranaatha. Matsyendranaatha taught Hatha Yoga to Chaurangi, a limbless man who was given hands and feet by Matsyendranaatha just by looking at him. Hatha Yoga Pradipika mentions Adinaatha, Matsyendranaatha, Gorakhanaatah and many other yogis who became famous Hatha Yogis.

Maybe that clears it up for you. You've got fishes being transmuted into siddha (we're really getting into doctrines of demons there - self-salvation) and limbless fellows instantly growing limbs just by being looked upon. By the way, you might want to look up Lord Shiva on the wiki as well so you get an idea who he is supposed to be. In other words, the whole history and practice of yoga is inexorably tied up into the spiritualism and influence of ideals and practices that more than smack of things that are definitely non-biblical.