Yoga and Christianity a Conflict?

Being a practicing Christian myself, there are verynon-sectarian. Now, if Yoga were a religion, which
few things in Yoga that conflict with Christianity.would it be? The principles of Yoga are universal.
Some critics argue that Yoga and ChristianityThe Yamas and Niyamas are similar, in principle, to
cannot co-exist, and yet we know that Yoga isthe Ten Commandments, but as a Christian you
not a religion.have the right to pick and choose what you want
However, that depends on your opinion. Recently,from Yoga. You also have the right to avoid
I wasreading about someone who claims Kundalinisectarian ashrams.
is "new age witchcraft." Sorry to say, anotherYoga practices, and meditation, give many
person recentlystated, "Good Christians shouldChristians, Jews, Buddhists, Hindus, and Moslems, a
avoid the devil'sexercise," in reference to Yoga.closer connection to God, but there will always be
Are the Salem witch trials still so close to oursomeone who feels tempted to change their faith.
hearts? These claims are interesting becauseLet's be honest, the people who worry about a
ministers and priests have been practicingsudden change of faith are, for the most part,
meditation for centuries, without any complaints.rooted in two distinct camps of thought.
I suppose, if someone devoted enough time to1. Someone who is on the fence about their own
meditating on bad thoughts, meditation would be areligion and not quite sure where they really stand.
bad experience.2. Severe intolerance of any idea that is new or
To be honest, it depends upon what youmightresult in opening the mind.
meditate about; and in truth, within some schoolsLet's stop the intolerance now. When you are
of Yoga, Hinduism, or Buddhism is taught. For me,driving in your car, waiting in line or come
this has always been aconflict, as I love Yoga, butface-to-face with someone who is different from
have no desire to change my faith.you, please set an example for your children and
The many teachings of Yoga and meditation aregive the other person a break.