Is yoga just stretching—or something far deeper?

In this powerful episode of the Orthodox Health Podcast, cantor, choir director & seminarian, Robert Sirico, joins Dr. Michael Christian & co-host John, to unpack the hidden spiritual foundations of yoga & why it stands in sharp contrast to the Orthodox Christian life.

From kundalini awakenings to Eastern metaphysics, we explore how yoga prepares the body—not for union with Christ—but for contact with spiritual forces foreign to the faith.

Together, we discuss:

🔹 Why yoga is not spiritually neutral🔹 How Orthodox theosis differs radically from Eastern “enlightenment”🔹 The dangers of kundalini energy vs. the grace of divine energies🔹 Why the Church warns against spiritual practices outside Christ🔹 The importance of discernment and historical understanding🔹 How personal testimony can draw others to truth, with love & clarity

Orthodoxy offers a different path—one not of self-deification, but of repentance, humility, & communion with the Living God.

⚠️ Listen before unrolling that yoga mat.

Takeaways

• Yoga is a different spiritual system that contrasts with Orthodox Christianity.
• The Divine Energies in Christianity are fundamentally different from the energies invoked in yoga.

• The metaphysical roots of yoga involve a quest for oneness that opposes the Christian understanding of individuality.

• The practice of yoga prepares the body for supernatural contact within the noetic realm, but not in a Christian sense, which can lead to demonic oppression & eventually possession.

• Orthodox asceticism is not just safer; it is salvific, focusing on filling the soul with Christ.

• Theosis is the process of becoming like God, while the opposite, diavolosis, or demonosis, leads to becoming like demonic spirits.
• The Scriptures warn against the dangers of engaging with spiritual practices that do not align with Christian teachings.

• The Church plays a crucial role in guiding individuals away from harmful spiritual practices.
• Spiritual discernment is of utmost importance.

• Historical context is important in understanding the evolution of spiritual practices.

• Christianity is experiential, with a rich history of miracles & the transformative power of the Holy Spirit.
• Witnessing to others about the faith is essential, but it should be done with care & understanding.

Chapters

00:00 Opener

01:30 Introduction to Yoga & Orthodoxy

05:50 Robert Sirico's Personal Journey to Orthodoxy

08:23 Pious Immigrant Roman Catholic Grandmas

11:24 Martial Arts & Spirituality

17:02 The Nature of Demons & Spiritual Entities

20:05 Contrasting Worldviews

26:55 Yoga, Evolution, & Platonic Worldviews

28:49 The Purpose of Yoga & Supernatural Contact

34:44 Demonic Experiences, Exorcisms & Baptisms

38:00 The Role of the Holy Spirit

39:57 Serpent Imagery & Spiritual Deception

42:30 Understanding Canonicity

50:20 The Serpent Reloaded

57:42 No True Atheist

1:00:53 Hindu Milk Miracle

1:06:53 Relativism & Syncretism

1:10:07 Understanding Naivety in Spiritual Practices

1:12:10 The Incarnational Aspect of Faith

1:14:22 The Role of Witnessing in Conversion

1:16:17 Experiential Christianity & Truth

01:20:41 The Nature of Demonic Influence

01:23:13 Planting The Little Kernel

01:24:33 Outro

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Intro & Outro Music: St. John of Chicago Orthodox Church Choir (Arkansas) - Please support their building fund by buying the whole album here:⁠⁠https://stjohnorthodoxchurch.bandcamp.com/album/come-ye-faithful-building-fundraiser⁠⁠