OZARK, Mo. (AP) Springfield’s yoga community is speaking out after a pastor at an Assemblies of God megachurch warned Christians to avoid the popular activity because he claims it has “demonic roots.”
The Springfield News-Leader reports that Pastor John Lindell told worshippers last month at the James River Church in Ozark that yoga positions were “created with demonic intent” and called Hinduism demonic. The church is known to have a congregation of more than 10,000.
Many local yoga community members expressed disappointment and concern about Lindell’s sermon.
Stephanie Wubbena owns Live Pure Yoga in Springfield. She posted a video criticizing Lindell’s sermon on YouTube Nov. 1, saying that it’s hurting small businesses. She cited a local yoga studio that lost over 10 members one day after the sermon.
Wubbena told residents to think for themselves and research yoga’s history.
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