3. We Practice the Biblical Concept of Offering Alternatives

I remember when organic milk was hard to find, but I and others created a grass roots movement across the world. We wanted it and would expend time, energy and resources to get it and now organic milk is widely available in the local grocery store. Organic milk is a healthy alternative to non-organic milk. WholyFit exists to provide a spiritually healthy alternative to Yoga.  You can’t just tell people to stop stretching.  Give them an ALTERNATIVE.  Christians don’t stop listening to music just because some music has bad lyrics, we listen to an alternative:  we listen to Christian music.  Christians don’t stop going to movies just because some movies contain bad language, we try to watch movies that do not have objectionable content. Christians do not have to stop stretching just because yoga exercises are also characterized by stretching: We practice WholyFit INSTEAD OF Yoga. Choosing alternatives makes a sociopolitical and economic difference. We are creating certain markets and limiting others. Whatever you give your time, energy and resources to, is YOUR VOTE. We can change the world applying the concept of alternatives.

Boundary 3: Godly boundaries have to do with the spiritual authority under which one ministers and practices. (2 Cor. 6:14; Hebrews 13:17; Titus 3:1; 1 Peter 5:5; ) WholyFit instructors commit their intent to avoid teaching yoga and never call their classes yoga.  We work to educate Christians on biblical doctrine and we are against the syncretism of yoga’s religious practices with Biblical Doctrine. (We do not do mantras, chanting, TM, etc…) We do not take Yoga trainings.  We try to avoid teaching WholyFit in any venue in which yoga is taught. We seek to avoid the promotion and purchase of any products that bring money to yoga. We avoid the promotion of any yoga organization. We are not a part of the Yoga community. We are part of the fitness community.   We are part of the Kingdom of God. We minister under the authority of the local church in unity with church eldership. To sum it up, we do not contribute to yoga with our time, our presence, our energy or our resources, but instead we dedicate our resources to the churches.  The Church is where we want to contribute.

4. We Build the Kingdom of Christ

WholyFit is NOT Christian Yoga. It is an alternative to Yoga.  WholyFit fills the need for an exercise system people can practice INSTEAD OF Yoga.

The key rebuttal to this video lies in three words: PRAY WITHOUT CEASING. Read on…

I applaud the author’s desire to help to discern the times in which we live. That is important. This is why WholyFit exists. We also educate believers and warn them from danger, entrapment and deception of our times and this requires biblical discernment, not simply personal opinion. Discernment is the necessary key ingredient for the achievement of that mission, dividing good from evil. On one side it is a great benefit to believers if wise counsel is applied, and truth is balanced with grace. On the other hand, it is destructive when the discerner trusts in personal judgment and does not consult God, whereby well meaning people may become deceived themselves and lead others into deception. Discernment is a precious gift – it brings godly fruit when used under the direction of the Holy Spirit, as any spiritual gift.

Excerpts from video:

The author’s opinion differs from WF:

Summary: Christians involved in any form of aerobics combining spiritual supplications, worship or the receiving of subliminal messaging through any means are involved in pagan ritual worship. Exercises for a healthy body need only focus on making body healthy. But physical workouts that combine body maintenance with seeking supernatural presence are treading on dangerous spiritual arenas.

Summary: Yoga postures are designed to unite the practitioner with the powerful deity the position represents. Nearly changing the name to a biblical concept doesn’t negate the source of the power within the technique. It’s rooted in cobra arousal; and the serpent is Creator God’s arch enemy.

The WholyFit logo is being displayed (underlined narration during display of logo):

Summary: As the practice of yoga has been secularized, a new wave of Christian yoga and spiritual based aerobic and workout alternatives packaged in Christian terminology have mushroomed across the nation. Once viewed by Christianity as a heathen import from the East and taboo for the church, today yoga practice is accepted as benign and offered as outstretched in worship classes, or Christ centered yoga classes; (these are “Christian yoga” systems) and aspiring Christian consciousness has entwined with basic Hindu yoga consciousness using yoga movements, postures, breathing concentration and repetitive prayer and being accompanied with Christian themes, music, prayers and worship, or biblical verses and bible names.

The Error of This Video

>What does the Bible say about praying while doing activities like swimming or while doing dishes or while running or while walking?

THE QUESTION OF DVD CLASSES

WholyFit DVDs are designed for individual home use. Use of the WholyFit DVD in a church or public setting is against the law according to the motion picture industry and violates the WholyFit trademark with the following exception: Exception: if venue representatives receive written permission from the copyright holder (WholyFit) for public use.

You may apply for permission from WholyFit for DVD Public Use by agreeing to the following the provisions below.

1. At least one WholyFit certified exercise leader will be present to lead each class. The exercise leader will start and stop the DVD and monitor the safety of the class for correct form and technique. For example, only portions of the DVD might be used in one session, according to the discretion of the leader, as going all the way through the DVD from the start is too hard for a live group class.

2. Instructor will show proof of purchase of WholyFit marketing materials Kit which includes a WholyFit DVD for each participant and appropriate marketing materials for the class size.

3. A church/venue representative must sign below and also sign & submit Form 1, attached.

SIGNATURE CHURCH REPRESENTATIVE ___________________________________________________

PRINTED NAME ____________________________________________________________________________

DATE ________________________________________________________________________________________

Thank you for your application. We will let you know if/when your application for DVD Public Use is approved in 14 days. Questions? Please contact Pam Collins, Corporate Office Manager at 281-813-0255 if you have any additional questions about the online Silver Certification, the in-person Gold Retreat, or to help you get started with your WholyFit certification. You will not get a better certification anywhere, and it is such a blessing to teach a WholyFit class that is based on cutting-edge fitness principles but is also spiritually based.

Location:  7763 Lessiter NE, Belding, Michigan 48809

Please RSVP by Saturday, June 1st - also make your lunch reservation and any diet restrictions

Contact:  Deborah Passero, deborahpassero@wholyfit.com; 517-930-3950 by June 1st

June 15th agenda includes:

• 9:30 a.m. Introductions and Prayer
• 10:00 am Wholyfit Devotional Exercise Class taught by WholyFit Certified Team
• 11:00 am Fellowship
• 12:00 pm Lunch
• 1:00-3:00 pm Ranch Activities

Glory Ranch is a 88 acre horse ranch blessed with world champion mini horses and ponies, home of Michael and Deborah Passero, and horse trainer Darin Southwick.  The property began as a therapeutic riding facility and was dedicated as an outreach for families and friends for the purpose of sharing the gospel of Christ for the past four years.   Ranch activities include:  Devotional trails, fishing, golf chipping, skeet shooting, horse and bunny petting, hay ride, gardening and more!   Optional additional activity:  Ranch activities on Friday evening, June 14th from 5-8 pm

wHOLY Fellowships have no fee and are open to the public.

You are responsible for your travel, hotel accomodations, and meals.

I used to think like many other novice missionaries, that I could be an accidental double agent. Here’s how it went down: I went to yoga classes because I wanted to take yoga. As an afterthought, I did pray for the teacher and students and even got to witness. At the same time I was attacked by subtle satanic forces that sowed ever so small deceptions into my mind and it took years to undo the damage. A 1% lie can do great harm. I no longer believe that I can go into Satan’s stronghold by myself, without fasting, prayer and under proper spiritual leadership.

Unprepared Christians who wander into yoga are like accidental double agents who cannot be effective for Christ. There is a huge cultural problem of christians getting into yoga. The kingdom of the anti-christ and the Kingdom of Jesus are in direct conflict and it’s visible now more than ever before. The lines are becoming more evidently drawn between these kingdoms and the two camps are beginning to polarize. Double minded lone ranger ministers will not be as effective in kicking Hell’s door in, as a missionary who is purposeful, prayed up and under proper spiritual leadership. Rescuing people out of yoga cannot happen by accident.

Jesus is the leader. We follow Him. He doesn’t follow us.

• key: Missionaries (WholyFit instructors) must be called by Jesus
• key: Missionaries must be sent by the local church and remain under the authority of church leadership
• key: Missionaries are purposeful, focused and their prayer life is the real work
• key: Missionaries need ongoing support from the local church

Join the WholyFit Missionary Team

The WholyFit team as been called to operate outside of yoga. We have come out of yoga and will never go back. We are now under church leadership. Spiritual leadership of the church is of primary importance when trying to rescue people out of Satan’s kingdom. There will be a spiritual battle when WholyFit instructors minister to the lost in yoga. It’s such a wonderful privilege to be in on on God’s work in our culture, in our time. Have you been born for such a time as this? (Esther) If you feel God leading you to be a missionaries to the yoga culture, let us know. You will be asked to sign the instructor application, provide a pastoral reference and get certified. After initial certification a WholyFit Instructor’s education and training continues through re-certification, but that’s not all. You become part of a global support system, Holy Spirit lead movement within the church, a fellowship full of friends who share the same goals as you do and will be there for you to help. Contact us. No experience necessary.

To download these core values click below:

WholyFit Core Values

By Laura Monica

Theme: What makes WholyFit different from Christian yoga?

Objective: Choose Between the WholyFit mindset and the Christian yoga mindset

 (Please share: CLICK HERE to download and print.)

How to Choose

Believers use the Bible as the ultimate authority. As followers of Christ, our choices are based on the Word of God. The Bible is reliable and authentic, inspired by God. Believing the Bible over any other source is the most reasonable procedure for finding truth based on evidence. As Christ Followers our personal opinions need to be shaped by the spiritual transformation of the Holy Spirit through accepting Jesus as Lord. The Holy Spirit then renews our mind to think the way God Almighty thinks and He leads us into all truth, as Jesus promised. (John 16:13)

WholyFit – Where we came from, where we are, where we’re going
WholyFit began in the global Christian yoga movement, but about 10 years ago we exited and took a different direction under God’s leadership when I became convicted that a Christian yoga designation did not fit our purposes. WholyFit is not Christian yoga, but rather an alternative to yoga. The purpose of WholyFit is to start fitness programs in churches and also to train church leaders to deal with the christian yoga dilemma: How to reach Christians doing yoga? WholyFit biblical alternative to yoga gives a clearly biblical exercise alternative as well as providing education to the public about the dangers of yoga philosophies. WholyFit corporate trains lay church leaders to teach a creative, worshipful exercise system that provides the same benefits as yoga, for therapeutic, comfortable, effective exercise that Biblically manages stress and is accessible to anyone. We help instructors to rollout and establish their program, then provide continuing education and ongoing fellowship.

WholyFit Missionary Philosophy

WholyFit instructors REACH OUT FROM WITHIN the local church. In other words, WholyFit missionaries are sent out from the church. The goal is to eventually bring people into the local church environment who would otherwise never consider it. We do this through offering Biblical alternative to yoga classes in the church or in another venue, through the church. Ideally, classes are offered in the church building, but sometimes due to distance or facility issues this may not be possible or desired. There are many venues that WholyFit can be offered in: schools, gyms, health clubs, recreation clubs, in private homes, etc… WholyFit can be offered with Scripture or without, as a bible-study/exercise class or simply as an exercise class used to build relationships.

Why Do We Disagree with the Christian Yoga Idea?

Ooh careful here…we must not go beyond the Bible. Legalism is when someone calls something a sin that the Bible does not call a sin. Could both Christian yoga and WholyFit be right? Maybe. You decide for yourself as I have decided for myself.  I am a former yoga teacher. I am also a former Christian Yoga teacher. I now reject yoga as well as the concept of Christian yoga. It is my hope that the following issues, prayerfully considered, will also be of help to you in making an informed decision. First we will define our terms. Then we will consider the evidence proving that yoga is not biblical. Then we will consider the biblical evidence about Christian yoga and you can make your own conclusions.

First of all, there is simply no need, either legally or morally, to call any stretching exercise, “yoga.” No one needs permission from yoga or any other fitness system to use the stretches common to the human body. We do not believe that yoga movements need to be “redeemed,” but rather all movements have been given to us at creation by God. We see a future with no yoga. We see Christians making a mass exodus out of yoga and therefore cutting off from yoga any of the benefits of Christian participation worldwide.

First we need to define our terms. When we speak of Christian Yoga we are speaking of an idea, not an organization. The Christian Yoga idea is utilized by a vast number of people in large, undefined sub-groups containing both Christians and non-christians. Even believers within the Christian Yoga camp vary in worldview, just as church goers do; they are not unified by a set of core values. There is no structure nor is there any possible accountability in Christian Yoga, as a whole. There is no way to tell whether or not a Christian yoga organization is Christian at all. WholyFit, on the other hand, is a defined Christian fitness company that is very focused, with built in accountability and structure. Therefore WholyFit and Christian yoga are not even comparable because there is no way to set up a control group. It is clear however that one cannot support both the Christian yoga mindset and the WholyFit mindset because they are mutually exclusive. Christian yoga is yoga. WholyFit is an alternative to yoga.

• Christian yoga participants are “Christian Yogins”
• Alternative to yoga participants are not Christian Yogins
• Christian Yoga is a vast movement, that is undefined and has no core values
• WholyFit is a single, finite, focused organization with set Biblical core values

Fact 1: Yoga philosophies are anti-Christ.

Yoga doctrines conflict with Biblical doctrines essential to salvation. The consequences of believing salvational doctrines lead to either heaven or hell. Biblical doctrines of salvation lead to Heaven. Classical yoga philosophies teach that Jesus is not the only way to God, therefore classical yoga is anti-Christ. Believing yoga philosophies necessarily means the rejection of the God of the Bible and therefore affects your eternal salvation.

and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now it is already in the world. 1 John 4:3

(For more see “yoga vs the bible” and “yoga vs biblical Christianity”)

Fact 2: Not all Christian Yogis go to heaven

The true believer’s salvation is not negated by adhering to a Christian yoga point of view, however not all yogis are saved simply by claiming to be christian. True believers have accepted Christ as Lord and preach salvation through Christ alone. Some Christian Yoga proponents are not believers, but rather are pre-believers, those who do not yet know Christ but might some day; therefore, they do not understand how to be saved in the first place. I’ve actually met pre-believers who say that Christians can believe yoga philosophies and still be a Christians. They say that because they don’t understand the Bible. (They never have studied the Bible.) These misinformed people do not intentionally lead others away from God, but do so nevertheless.  (Scatter or gather.)

Fact 3: He Said She Said

Then there are those who are intentionally deceptive in their intent to contradict the Bible. Deception is often carefully hidden for economic reasons and the burden of research rests on the participant. In my experience, the general public has no idea about the philosophical/religious foundation hiding behind yoga classes. For example, the leaders of one national training organization told me that their particular brand of yoga was practiced by many Christians and would not conflict with Biblical values. Later they asked me to give my soul to Shiva. That’s when I quit yoga trainings for good. That’s when I started researching. It was clear that this system dedicated all it’s poses to “the goddess.” I should have done my own research before going into yoga, but I didn’t know it was necessary. Whose fault was it? Mine.

Another example of the subtle philosophical content in yoga is the practice of Transcendental Meditation. TM teaches the chanting of names of Hindu gods in order to open the yogi up to spiritual entities. If spiritual power is not from God is comes from Satan, since there is no other source. TM practitioners and yoga marketers alike insist that yoga and TM are not religious practices. This claim is dishonest. For example, in one chapter of the Sivinanda Companion to Yoga the author insists that yoga is not a religious practice and in another chapter describes an encounter with a being of white light! If that’s not religious, I don’t know what is. It is of course spiritual by definition and spirits are either from God or satan. Reincarnation, Samahdi, Karma, these are all religious teachings, and yet the yoga Journal constantly insists that yoga is not a religion. The yoga experts insist that yoga is at it’s very root a practice that is deeper than exercise. See More

So what is a Christian yogini/yogi? Christian yogis may be members of the any of the following groups:

I.  Pre-believer “Christian Yogis”

1. identify themselves Christians, but have not been born again
2. accept Christianity as one path to God, but not the only way

II.  Anti-Christ “Christian Yogis”

1. call themselves Christians but don’t understand what they are saying
2. call themselves Christians to attract Christians into yoga for personal gain (monetary, political; to get Christian approval and set precedence for other Christian participation.)

III. True believer  ”Christian Yogis”

1. Those who have accepted Jesus as their personal Savior, belong to Him and believe the Bible is the reliable Word of God

We will ignore above groups I and II as irrelevant. We will examine the viewpoint of III. True Believers within the Christian Yoga movement. So what about the true Believer who takes the Christian yoga stance? They do so on the basis of Christian liberty based on grace. (Romans 14:23)  It is up to each person to personally collect evidence, pray and make an informed, rational decision that stands up to a reasonable doubt based on biblical truth.

Fellow members of the Body of Christ who have chosen to participate in Christian Yoga do so in two ways: either as a lone ranger (being a “Christian yogi” by personal choice) or by participating in an organized Christian yoga organization. Lone rangers are those Christians who go to classical yoga classes or become certified in classical yoga to teach it on their own, without influence or accountability to or from anyone else. That is a most dangerous choice. Others join Christian yoga organizations and get certified through them.  This, at least, has built in accountability.

I really don’t like to classify people, but for the sake of clarity, here are some categories. If it’s helpful, great, if not, throw it out. (See below.) Christian yoga tends toward liberalism, and is “seeker sensitive.” I went to a “seeker sensitive” church that announced to the congregation, before the worship started, to refrain from raising their hands because it would make the unchurched uncomfortable. This is a case in which a little biblical integrity was sacrificed in order to make non believers comfortable. (Psalm 63:4)  To give you a baseline, WholyFit is conservative in our reliance on Biblical integrity but moderate in that we do not judge other Christians and our passion is love and unity in the Church. We do not compromise biblical integrity simply to make people comfortable with Jesus. (Matthew 10:34) We do not intentionally do anything to keep people away from Jesus either, and try to give the Gospel like a beautifully presented dinner with desert, which is easy.  (Psalm 34:8) The point? Our focus is not people, but rather, we focus on Jesus.

True Believers

1. Liberal

• a. do not believe the bible is reliable and interpret more symbolically
• b. more willing to sacrifice biblical integrity for unity

2. Conservative

• a. believe the bible is reliable and interpret more literally
• b. necessarily choose biblical integrity over unity

3. Moderate

• a. All areas in between

The Biblically Based Problems with Christian Yoga

Even believers within the Christian yoga movement may agree that the following problems exist.

The Millstone Problem

Yoga is foundationally, from the roots up, historically anti-Christ, and anti-bible. (See yoga vs the Bible) Therefore, the term “christian yoga” confuses pre-believers because it implies that Christ followers agree with yoga philosophies. This can lead them away from Jesus.

Matt 18:6 (NIV)

“If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.” - Jesus

If the term ‘Christian yoga’ is valid, then what about, ‘Christian deception, Christian Transcendental Meditation, Christian Kuhndlini, Christian Samahdi, Christian Ohm, Christian idolatry?’… you get the picture.

When I taught yoga, even from a Christian point of view, a couple of my students came up to me after class and said, “I like your class so much that I am now taking the yoga class down the street too.” The “class down the street” taught to give the soul completely to Shiva. My students were pre-believers with no biblical knowledge and none of the armor of God to protect them from demonic powers.  I quit teaching anything called yoga because I never want to be the cause of people being lead to a classical yoga class that teach false doctrines and cause them to be kept from finding Christ.

The Drip Problem

Drip+time=erosion.

Even the strongest rock erodes over time from the smallest drip. Little deceptions taught through yoga in subtle ways have an effect even on Christians. The yoga environment can erode the faith of the strongest Christian. Deception is not obvious. Deception is deceitful. If you knew you were being deceived, you wouldn’t be deceived in the first place. When we get out from under God’s umbrella we’ll get wet. Erosion of faith makes a pathway in for an ocean of trouble.

When I was going to yoga as a Christian, I never practiced mantras or chanting and never believed any yoga philosophies and didn’t really pay attention to them at all. After I quit I burned all the yoga paraphenalia in my home and anointed all the doors and windows and prayed for cleansing. Even years later, however, I realized that I had picked up subtle beliefs like Karma and nature force. I would have said I didn’t believe these things, but they were in my subconscious and my actions told the real truth. I confessed to the Lord when I saw these lies surface and was freed. I have had to confess and be freed of body pride because yoga emphasizes sensuality and preys on vanity. I confessed and reject spiritual pride also because yoga exalts one person over another by how spiritual they are. I confessed and reject pre-eminence because yoga fans the flames of selfish pre-dominance. For example, yoga trainers are called “Master” and are highly revered, sometimes to the point of worship (Dahn Yoga.) Jesus is the Lord of all and only He deserves all glory and pre-eminence. Jesus is the only Master. We are to the servants of Christ and servants of people.

The Yoke Problem

Christian yoga instructors are a part of the yoga community, in the yoga studios, categorizing their classes as “yoga.” Christian yoga proponents work inside the yoga community under an unequal yoke. (2 Corinthians 6:14) It’s interesting that yoga means “yoke.”The bible says not to join in with unbelievers in business, and not to balance your financial security on a partnership with those who do not share your faith. When we partner with someone who is working against everything we hold dear it’s counter productive.

Summary: The idea of Christian Yoga…

• contributes to yoga on the whole, condoning yoga philosophical teachings
• sends mixed messages that yoga and Christianity are compatible
• makes yoga class attendance appear safe which puts people at risk to the subtle overtures of demonic forces present in classical yoga classes
• sometimes “blends” yoga theological practices in with Christian theology (TM, chakras, subtle energies, mantras, chanting, etc.)
• unequal yoke

The Christian Yoga Point of View

It is reasonable to take time to hear the point of view of the opposite camp. True Believers in Christian yoga insist that yoga can be redeemed and used to evangelize. They seek to change the nature of yoga for the future generations so that yoga is no longer associated with classical yoga philosophies.

The only biblical basis for true believers in Christian yoga is if God tells them to do what they are doing and they are producing good fruit. You will know a tree by it’s fruits. True believers preach the Gospel in Christian Yoga classes and claim to be able to reach yogis efficiently from within yoga. They also believe that Christian yoga is their calling from God.

How can you tell if a Christian yoga organization is run by true believers?

Many times you simply cannot. Look for:

1. a clear mission statement and profession of faith based on salvation through Christ Jesus alone and not by works;
2. profession that the bible is the reliable Word of God.
3. To find the pretenders, watch for the fruit, especially for the spirit of deception

Deceit is the landmark of yoga. Watch out for:

1. false advertising
2. misleading information
3. bait and switch
4. manipulation
5. greed
6. sensuality or a focused emphasis on looks
7. immodesty
8. selfish ambition
9. envy, competition, covetousness – Watch out for those who draw people in through using jealousy and appealing to pride.
10. Also watch out for those who slander Christians, Jesus or the Bible or exhibit anger, or malice.

Can Christians Behave Badly?

Just because an organization is called Christian, it does not mean it is run by Christ-honoring people. Before becoming a WholyFit instructor, one of my friends was swindled by a “Christian yoga” organization. The leader told her that certification was done from a Biblical basis. The first 3 days of the training was all about chakras so my friend quit, asked for a reimbursement of the $2000, but was refused. Another WholyFit instructor after begin swindled out of $800 by a yoga certification that was supposed to be good for Christians. It was suggested by the YMCA, which claimed that the training was appropriate for all religions. After 3 days of false teaching against the Bible, my friend couldn’t stand it any more, quit and asked for her money back. They agreed in person, but they never refunded the money.

So whether you are choosing the Christian yoga or the WholyFit mindset, choose according to biblical criteria. WholyFit instructors make a permanent choice between the two. We at WholyFit do strive to be clear in our core values, communicate a consistent message and show fruit revealing biblical character. The following fruits are what all should see from any Christian organization made up of of leaders who are submitted to the Holy Spirit:

²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23)

WholyFit Methods and Makeup

What is WholyFit?

Here is more information now on WholyFit methods and organizational makeup. WholyFit is a focused, professional Christian fitness ministry offering churches help in establishing fitness outreaches who prepare missionaries (WholyFit instructors) to reach out to Christians (as a first priority and then) non-Christians in the yoga culture. WholyFit certifies instructors, provides continuing education and ongoing support for the founding of fitness ministries in churches. WholyFit corporate functions as a global Para church organization working directly with churches to train up lay leaders to evangelize through exercise ministry.

REACHING OUT FROM WITHIN THE CHURCH

WholyFit reaches out from within the church to draw people into the church environment who would not otherwise venture in. Post Moderns and Post Post Moderns (generational groups susceptible to yoga in our present culture) do not like organized religion. Does this mean that church is an old fashioned idea? Not if God says it’s a good idea! Attending organized church is still valid. In fact, it’s more crucial today than ever before in history! The Lord is coming soon. It’s crucial that we draw both believers and pre-believers into the local church.

Hebrews 10:25

not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

The main benefit of WholyFit over Christian yoga is that it is most appropriate for a Biblical, evangelical or conservative church environment. Christian yoga in a church would be as appropriate as holding wine tasting parties at church. There is nothing wrong with drinking wine moderately, but promoting drinking alcohol at church would be a bad witness to new Christians. The Apostle Paul said, “I will never eat meat again!” if it damages the eternal soul of a weaker brother or sister.

 COUNTERING THE IMPACT OF YOGA ON OUR CULTURE

WholyFit is known for having a clear statement of what is Biblical and what is not. Part of the responsibility of teaching WholyFit classes is to educate the public about the non-biblical nature of yoga. WholyFit instructors invite the community into their classes, into the church or health club environment instead of contributing their time and energy to yoga. WholyFit instructors have an influence inside the yoga community through prayer. When Christians start leaving the yoga environments and take their resources with them, yoga’s philosophical impact on our culture will be halted dramatically. WholyFit instructors withdraw their support, time, energy and life resources from yoga so that they can contribute their time to building up the local church instead! After all, our energy and time are very finite resources and we are responsible to be good stewards. If we invite them, they will come into the church and find out that we are all just flawed people like them, ready to support and love them. It is my vision that people will think of the church once more, not the yoga studio, as the place to meet God.

At its heart, WholyFit is a training organization with a focused target to train spiritual leaders within the church environment, not just exercise leaders who happen to be Christian. WholyFit has specific boundaries, accountability and structure in order to faithfully walk in the ministry God has given us.

CORE VALUES

1. WholyFit instructors establish “WholyFit” classes within the local church
2. WholyFit instructors do not participate in yoga
3. WholyFit instructors do not give their time, energy, talents or resources to yoga

Focused application process.

WholyFit certification is offered to Christians who want to become trained to be spiritual leaders in their church through teaching WholyFit classes. WholyFit Instructors share the same core values

WholyFit Goals/Methods

After certification WholyFit becomes a discipleship fellowship, a para church organization offering accountability. WholyFit instructors provide a way out of yoga, and send a clear message as good leaders in the Christian community. WholyFit instructors

1. provide an alternative to yoga for the benefit of Christians who need an alternative exercise system so that they do not feel the need to go to yoga
2. disciple Christians being lead astray by yoga
3. rescue pre-believers out of yoga

Paul encouraged our fellowship as believers, the body, in Ephesians 4:15-16.    Christ, the head, has brought us together in WholyFit, fit together according to His working and to the measure He has given each of us to make the increase of the body.  As we gather together for our WholyFit Midwest Fellowship in Indiana this weekend (April 12th and 13th) for edifying, encouraging, teaching and learning, God’s promise is that we will be renewed in the spirit and in holiness!

Sister in Christ,
Find out what God is doing in WholyFit by fellowshipping with instructors.  Find out what people in their classes are saying. For example, one participant spoke how the night before a WholyFit class she prayed for “exercise that feels good on the inside as it does on the outside.” After the class she told the instructor,  ”This is it!”

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Strategy is the Key

God’s ways are never accidental. He always has a plan. The question is really, “What is God is thinking?” As the leader of WholyFit I feel intense responsibility for those in the ministry and have sought GOD’s MIND ON THE MATTER for specific directions and found that He wants WholyFit to be a focused and defined in ministry. He calls it “Single-mindedness.” Our God-given focus? We in WholyFit provide an alternative to yoga in the church (and Christ-honoring) environments  to draw people out of the yoga environment/yoga studios/trainings and to reach out to bring them into the church (and Christ-honoring) environment to exercise and to get certified to teach exercise. It’s a focused mission. It’s what God has called us to do. God’s plan includes us! We invite you to join us! His thoughts are higher than ours. We can do nothing on our own power; we abide in the Branch. When we join together we will be unstoppable. He is waiting.

Lord, please make us to be one and to operate in perfect unity of heart and mind, under the power and anointing of Your Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Being Intentional About Ministry

Whatever you do, do it intentionally, under the direct commission of God, in community with the local church, under proper spiritual authority, after much prayer, with a like-minded team of believers.  In our experience, God calls us to work in community, not as lone rangers, not by accident and not as an afterthought. Whatever you do, don’t do it all by yourself and don’t do it by accident. 

WholyFit Answer

1. God has not called WholyFit instructors to go into yoga classes. (Other ministries might and I don’t judge them, but we don’t.)

2. As for Christians: I believe God is calling Christians out of yoga at this crucial point in history. We in WholyFit specifically, are those Christians and God has a plan to use us mightily as “Locust Eaters in an Olive Generation.” We are annointed and pointed Christians with the power and spirit of Elijah and a directive to minister to the lost in yoga in these Last Days in a very strategic way.

I Used to Teach Yoga

I thought that I could witness by becoming a yoga teacher. During yoga certification I realized that I had to compromise my faith in order to become certified… they were praying to idols, chanting in Sanskrit that they gave their souls “completely to Shiva.” I had my little Psalms prayer card in hand to say outloud while they chanted, but I just couldn’t do it that time. I quit for good. I could not bow my knees in an environment where everyone was bowing to “The Destroyer.”

Daniels’ Example

Daniel got thrown into a lion’s den for refusing to bow to the statue when everyone else was. Did he say, “Well I will bow too, but in my heart I will be bowing to God” ? Did Daniel say,  ”While they are worshiping the statue I will be praying my Psalms prayer card” ? What about the martyrs who refused to recant their faith in Jesus? They could have denied Him out loud but not in their hearts. No, but rather they chose to suffer death than to publicly deny the Savior! When everyone in the yoga room is chanting to another god, how could I participate? I couldn’t. The Holy Spirit constrained me: But God didn’t take anything away! God gave me something better! He exchanged the old for the new. God is doing a NEW THING!

Instead of teaching yoga, I teach WholyFit.

People like WholyFit better than yoga anyway! Even people in the public don’t like putting up with all the yoga philosophies. They overlook it to get a workout. Maybe many in yoga just never thought of having an alternative exercise system where they could worship the One True and Living God of the Bible, where they could learn all the wonderful Scriptures and words of Jesus. Maybe they just never thought of stretching without calling it “yoga!” Maybe if you just present WholyFit to them you could draw them out of yoga and into the church (or Christ-honoring) environment and all of us could pour out our gifts and talents to worship the One True and Living God and raise up Christ alone as pre-eminent over all.

Yoga Alliance Registration Requires Mantras & Chanting

If you love the people in yoga that’s all the more reason NOT to join in with them because your presence legitimizes it and as a Christian, –  - especially if you are a spiritual leader – - people are watching you. It is especially concerning to me that Christians would ever feel the need to register with any organization which demands the study of yoga philosophies. Yoga Alliance is one such organization.

Note: I changed this article after some comments from readers. Thank you! I stand corrected. CLICK HERE to read more about Yoga Alliance and the new requirements for registration, (they must have changed over the years) and how WholyFit certification teaches biblically based fitness oriented training instead of yoga philosophies. WholyFit certification is very high quality certification for fitness professionals who want to teach a Christian mind-body exercise system.

I want to dedicate my time, energy and resources to the Church

I had to admit that I wanted to be a part of the yoga culture because it’s cool, you get kudos for it and people give you honor for being a part of it. They think you’re a “tolerant” christian, politically correct. But now I’ve taken my place among the people of Jesus, the humble and lowly ones who expect nothing in return. If you go against yoga, you will learn to count it an honor to bear persecution with the people of God. These are the people I long to work beside, to reach out to yogis with: I want to minister together with the people in the churches.   I want to be amongst the lampstands where Jesus walks. I pine, I ache, I suffer in my spirit for us to be unified together in this.

Boundaries are Priorities

After all, we can’t do everything and be everywhere at once. We only have one life to live. The article below gives some good priorities; boundaries on directing our time and energy in these Last Days. (Also see commentary below about “crazy love.”)

Click here to read “Let Them Alone”

by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

Laura’s review:

Yoga Means “joined” or “yoked”

“Ephraim is joined to idols let him alone.” (Hosea 4:17)
4:17 μέτοχος εἰδώλων Εφραιμ ἔθηκεν ἑαυτῷ σκάνδαλα

The word, “Yoga” means “Yoked” in Sanskrit.  The purpose of yoga is to join with a “Universal spirit” in order to become one with it. In the article by Dr. Morris above, he points out that the Hebrew word for “joined” has a connotation of being “charmed” in a magic sense. People in yoga are “under the spell of” yoga. Our mission in WholyFit is to call them OUT of the yoga environment – call them out from under the “spell” – and to help them come UNDER the authority of God’s Word and into the church.

The same word, “chabar” is used in the following verses warning avoidance of deviners, fortune tellers and “charmers.”

Deu 18:11
Or a charmer or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer .

Psa 58:5
Which will not hearken to the voice of charmers , charming never so wisely.

The Lord warns us not to make unholy alliances.

As Christians, it is clear that we are not to put ourselves under the authority of an ungodly organization. The Yoga Alliance’s founding purpose is to promote CLASSICAL yoga philosophies. (Yoga Alliance is a registration organization that yoga certification organizations belong to. Even purely fitness organizations like Yoga Fit are Yoga Alliance registered!) The word, “chabar” is the Hebrew word used to communicate “joining” when. We are and not to be unequally yoked, especially in business or any partnership. In 2 Chronicles is a sad story about Jehoshaphat who made an unholy alliance with an evil king.

2Ch 20:35, 36
And after this did Jehoshaphat king of Judah  join himself with Ahaziah king of Israel, who did very wickedly: And he joined himself with him to make ships to go to Tarshish: …

Question: But what about crazy love?

I understand the whole crazy love thing- that we should do anything to save the lost – but there are boundaries. An alcoholic would not be a good minister in bars and if we do go into bars, we should not get drunk. Our presence in the bar should not build the business of selling alcohol to a large extent. Christians in yoga bring billions of dollars into the yoga industry, an industry that promotes philosophies that lead people away from Jesus.

Eyes on Jesus, the Author and Finisher

As you run this race keep your eye on the prize. Keep your hand to the plow. Be intentional in ministry. Is witnessing in yoga an afterthought or was it your initial driving call and purpose ordained by God from the outset? It is certain that the Bible specifically instructs us not to give any of our time, energy, presence or resources to people, organizations or industries which lead others astray. Since our resources are finite, and because all our resources belong to God, we need to seek God alone on how He would have us use them for the greatest impact for His Kingdom.

(For more see Why Get Certified? and Yoga Versus the Bible)

Diamond Certification is the WholyFit replacement for Yoga Alliance registration. WholyFit certification organization does not register with Yoga Alliance because we do NOT include study of yoga philosophies in our certification program. Other Yoga schools include yoga philosophies during certification in order to be Yoga Alliance Registered. Christians, beware of attending Yoga Alliance registered certifications. Consider WholyFit certification instead…

Below please see the form extracted directly from the Yoga Alliance Website proving that registration requires 50 hours of technique including chanting, mantra and meditation in the yoga tradition. Notice this refers to the GUIDED PRACTICE of yogic meditation, mantras, chanting, kriyas, etc… not just the study of it… See below where it says, “contact hours in this category must be in a dedicated YTT environment.”

Please also notice that this practice must be guided by the “primary E-RYT” which is a yoga alliance approved Yogi, a person dedicated to the promotion of “traditional” yoga meditation (TM). A christian instructor may not substitute Christian disciplines like prayer and meditation on Scripture.

There is no reason for a fitness instructor to study mantras and chanting and other philosophies that have nothing to do with exercise theory and practice. Notice in Category 3 that anatomy is approached more on a basis of chakra energy physiology which is highly theoretical than on actual muskuloskeletal anatomy for the application of exercise. In traditional yoga, Chakra anatomy assumes a “serpent power” known as “kundalini” which is dormant unless awakened by asanas (postures.) All postures are done for the purpose of awakening this serpent power and ultimately joining (yoga means yoke) with the “divine.”

I support YOga Alliance’s freedom to promote traditional yoga, but as a Christian, I would never ally myself with any organization that promotes those philosophies.

a. Registering with Yoga alliance is like buying an air guitar. Yoga Alliance puts your name on a list of Yoga Alliance registered yoga teachers and gives you access to their Yoga community.

b . No instructor needs to register. It is not required by any employer. It is not required by law. In fact, by law no employer can require christians to compromise their faith to get a job.

c. It is not honest to register with Yoga Alliance if you are not planning on teaching traditional yoga.

Yoga Alliance requirements reveal that tradition is the basis for exercises in yoga. That’s why many basic safety considerations that are usually common precautions in the global fitness industry are sometimes sidelined by yoga. For example, plough, full cobra and locust.

Why WholyFit 200 Hour Yoga Alliance Equivalency Track INSTEAD:

WholyFit Pro Diamond Certification documents your 200 hour equivalency in order to get jobs anywhere 200 hour yoga alliance registration is required, without making any unholy alliance.

We have found that if you are qualified and can prove it through documentation, you will be hired. This is reasonable and has worked in actual practice.

As Christians we all feel it is important to represent Christ with integrity and a good work ethic. It is equally important to uphold our constitutional rights of freedom of religion. Currently, it is mistakenly believed that Yoga Alliance Registration is the only way to prove your professional expertise in mind/body exercise. Even thought this is just not true, many Christian fitness instructors believe they must study and practice yoga philosophy in order to get a job in the mind/body fitness industry.

Can you imagine if a place of business required the study and practice of Biblical philosophies? There would be such public outcry! Well Yoga certification often does! Why would we want to be a part of yoga certification as a Christian? Instead, WholyFit Diamond Certification is offered in the hope of stopping reverse discrimination in the workplace for Christian Fitness Professionals. The Yoga Alliance requires all registrants to study yoga philosophies in a Yoga environment dedicated to the promotion of CLASSIC yoga philosophies. It is our hope that WholyFit will be substituted for yoga in the fitness industry and that we will set a good example as fitness professionals who do not compromise our faith. We believe that each instructor’s pursuit of WholyFit Diamond Certification will effect the whole fitness industry for good so that yoga philosophies are no longer required for professional accreditation in any fitness job.

(WholyFit Certified Instructors:  go to wholyfitclass.com to download all forms and instructions about Diamond Certification.)