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Author: Bret Gordon  In my book, "The Secrets Guard Themselves: An Exploration In The Development Of Internal Power," I explored the concept of internal power as it appears across various ancient cultures. From India to China and Japan, civilizations have long sought to understand and harness the subtle energy that animates life and connects body, mind, and spirit. From the book: "In India, the concept of internal power is captured by the word Prana प्राण, a Sanskrit term that means "vital energy" or "life force." Similar to Chi in Chinese culture, Prana is believed to be the animating force that flows through all living beings, sustaining life, health, and consciousness. Prana is the energy that binds the body, mind, and spirit together, and it can be cultivated, refined, and directed through specific practices. In the ancient system of Yoga, Prana is a central concept. Yoga योग is a holistic discipline that aims to unite the body, mind, and spirit, and Prana plays a key role in this union. In the context of Yoga, Prana is cultivated primarily through breath control techniques and moving meditations known as Pranayama. The word Pranayama itself comes from two Sanskrit words, Prana (life force) and Ayama (extension or control), and refers to the practice of controlling and directing the breath to harness the power of Prana." Later in that same work, I described several solo conditioning exercises used to develop what I call the Aiki body, a body capable of expressing power without external force, rooted in breath, alignment, and internal connection. These same principles that govern Prana in Yoga are deeply relevant to Aiki Jujutsu training, though they manifest through different cultural lenses and movement systems. In this article, we’ll explore how the philosophy and physical practice of Yoga relate to solo Aiki Jujutsu training, where they align and diverge, and how these ideas can be reconciled, or wrestled with, within a Christian worldview. The solo exercises I outlined for developing the Aiki body include two main categories: breathing exercises and internal/isometric postures. Both are designed to cultivate internal connection, awareness, and control, qualities that transform ordinary movement into something unified and powerful. Interestingly, these practices find strong parallels in the discipline of Yoga, though they arise from different traditions and use different terminology. Kiko 気功, often translated as "energy work," focuses on conscious breathing combined with coordinated movement. Through breath regulation and focused awareness, the practitioner learns to relax unnecessary tension and allow energy to flow smoothly throughout the body. Over time, this refines the nervous system's sensitivity and deepens one's ability to generate and project power effortlessly. In Aiki Jujutsu, Kiko serves as a bridge between meditation and motion, helping the body learn to respond as one continuous, integrated structure rather than a collection of disconnected parts. In the same way, yogic Pranayama teaches the practitioner to expand, control, and direct the breath as a means of harmonizing body and mind. The emphasis on diaphragmatic breathing, awareness of internal pressure, and subtle muscular engagement mirrors much of what we train in Aiki Jujutsu's internal conditioning. Both systems recognize that breath is more than oxygen. It's the thread that binds consciousness to the body, and mastery of breath leads to mastery of movement.  Naiko 内功, by contrast, focuses on the body's internal mechanics through static or isometric postures. These exercises strengthen the deep stabilizing muscles (as well as the tendons and fascia), align the skeletal structure, and teach the practitioner to maintain relaxed power under pressure. In Yoga, this idea finds expression in Asana, the physical postures designed not merely for flexibility, but for developing balance, focus, and stillness within strain. Both practices aim to condition the body to remain centered and calm even in discomfort, a crucial skill for martial performance and for life itself. As a Christian, whenever I draw parallels between Yoga and the internal disciplines of Aiki Jujutsu, I sometimes encounter resistance. Many well-meaning believers see Yoga as incompatible with Christianity, something tied to Eastern mysticism or pagan worship. I understand this concern. Yoga was not created as a Western fitness system. It arose from the religious and philosophical traditions of ancient India. However, it's important to understand that Yoga is not a singular practice. The word itself means "union" or "to yoke," and it encompasses a wide range of physical, mental, and spiritual disciplines. Over centuries, these systems were developed and interpreted within multiple traditions (Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism, and Buddhism) each framing Yoga's purpose in its own language. Broadly speaking, there are several classical forms of Yoga:
Of these, Ashtanga Yoga (often called Vinyasa Flow) is what most people in the West encounter at their local fitness centers. This version was intentionally simplified in the 20th century, emphasizing strength, flexibility, and relaxation rather than spiritual awakening. While it retains the structure and terminology of Yoga, it functions primarily as a form of mindful exercise, a secularized adaptation focused on physical health and stress reduction. In contrast, Hatha Yoga bears the closest resemblance to the internal training found in Aiki Jujutsu. The term "Hatha" itself symbolizes the union of Ha (sun) and Tha (moon), the harmonization of opposites. Through postures and breath, practitioners cultivate a connected body, one in which energy flows without interruption and every motion arises from unity rather than isolated muscle effort. This symbolism of the sun and moon mirrors the yinyang (inyo in Japanese) of East Asian thought: the eternal dance of opposing yet complementary forces. These forces are not enemies in conflict, but partners in creation. Each defines and empowers the other. The sun cannot shine without casting shadow, the moon cannot reflect without the sun's light. Power, in its truest form, arises not from dominance or division, but from the dynamic balance between opposites. This interplay is the very essence of Aiki. The word Aiki 合気 means "to harmonize energy," but this harmony is not passive. It is the active reconciliation of opposing forces, both within the body and within the spirit, into one seamless expression. It is a microcosm of the universe's own creative tension. Within the Aiki body, this principle manifests through a series of paired oppositions:
 Often symbolized by the Taiji (the familiar yinyang symbol) this concept of dual, opposing forces in harmony lies at the heart of many ancient cultures and disciplines. The very names of Taijiquan, Hatha Yoga, and Aiki Jujutsu all point directly to this universal principle.
So then, the question naturally returns to whether a Christian can, or should, practice the solo exercises of Aiki Jujutsu (which we've established are similar to Yoga) or even Yoga directly. The answer isn't a simple yes or no. It depends entirely on the type of yoga being practiced and the intent behind it. When practiced with the intent of developing internal strength, stability, balance, and health, physical forms like Hatha or Ashtanga Yoga can serve as tools for caring for the body, a body made in God’s image (Genesis 1:27) and described in Scripture as a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19). Strengthening and maintaining this temple is not only permissible but commendable. It honors God by cultivating the gift of the body He has given us. By contrast, other forms of yoga, such as Bhakti, Shakti, and Raja Yoga, are more directly spiritual and soteriological. Bhakti Yoga emphasizes devotion to Hindu deities. Shakti Yoga seeks to awaken latent cosmic energies. Raja Yoga pursues mental control and union with divine consciousness. Kundalini Yoga, a synthesis of these paths, aims to awaken the Kundalini Shakti and guide it through the chakras toward self-deification. For Christians, these practices are problematic because they center on achieving spiritual power outside of God, contrasting sharply with the Christian path of surrender to Him. At the end of the day, God knows our hearts far better than we do. He sees our intentions, our fears, and our desires, and He calls us to act in integrity and obedience, not merely in outward conformity. Even if a practice like Hatha or Ashtanga Yoga is physically and spiritually neutral, if we feel conviction in our hearts that it is not right for us, that conviction itself is a signal from God to refrain. True stewardship of the body and spirit is not about following a formula, but about listening to God’s guidance, honoring His presence within us, and choosing the path that aligns with our conscience and faith. In this way, obedience and discernment become the ultimate measure of whether any practice serves Him or distracts from Him. "I am convinced, being fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for that person it is unclean." Romans 14:14
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