Can a Christian participate in yoga?

[Kristina_P]

Cadence:

Who was Joseph Pilates?

Born in Germany in 1880, Joseph H. Pilates had a lifelong interest in body conditioning. As a frail child dedicated to becoming stronger, he later grew to become an accomplished skier, diver, gymnast, and boxer.

While interned in England during World War I for his German citizenship, Joseph became a nurse. During this time, he designed exercise apparatus for immobilized patients by attaching springs to hospital beds. This system formed the foundation for his style of body conditioning and specialized exercise apparatus, which he brought to New York City when he opened the first New York Pilates Studio® in 1926.

Currently, the Pilates Method is used internationally by individuals at all levels of fitness as well as by dance companies, Broadway shows, students at performing arts schools and universities, sports teams, spa clients, and fitness enthusiasts at private health clubs and gyms.

No link between Yoga and Pilates except they both involve stretching and you can buy mats for them in the same area of the sports department!

I apologize if I was wrong. I had often heard from Pilates teachers that much of Pilates was drawn from yoga (the exercises, not any religious or mystical thought). Apparently, this is a myth.

 

[SpeakEasy]

So if symbols only have meaning if we give them a particular meaning, then can we decorate our houses with pentagrams and upside down crosses because we like the design only and still be good Christians???

 

[Karin]

SpeakEasy:

So if symbols only have meaning if we give them a particular meaning, then can we decorate our houses with pentagrams and upside down crosses because we like the design only and still be good Christians???

In regards to Pentagrams…
There are many connections between the pentagram and Christianity. Before the cross, it was a preferred emblem to adorn the jewelry and amulets of early Christians (followed by an ‘x’ or a phoenix). It was associated with the five wounds of Christ, **(SOURCE) **

 

[Photuris]

I have taken 2 yoga classes through my University. At no time did I consider them in the least bit religious. I do find that it is a good way to destress the muscles, and relax the mind, and that is about it. Yoga’s roots are Hindu, and so its asyna’s (positions) reflect Hindu teachings about the body, not the soul. I have studied some about Hindu teachings, and can see that there is nothing to be worried about, unless you are using it to practice the polytheistic Hindu religion.

 

[astegallrnc]

Kristina P.:

I apologize if I was wrong. I had often heard from Pilates teachers that much of Pilates was drawn from yoga (the exercises, not any religious or mystical thought). Apparently, this is a myth.

Kristina, you may be partly correct. Some fitness sites describe Pilates as yoga-based (katrinafitness.netfirms.com/; sierrafitness.com/pilates.html). Others descibe Pilates as movement based and yoga as meditative based (www.stottpilates.com/faq.html; bellasyoga.com/WhatIsPilates.html).

However, Joseph Pilates is described as teaching “fellow camp members the concepts and exercises developed over 20 years of self-study and apprenticeship in yoga, Zen, and ancient Greek and Roman physical regimens. It was at this time that he began devising the system of original exercises known today as “matwork”, or exercises done on the floor”
pilatesmethodalliance.org/whatis.html

So, some of the exercises in Pilates are based on yoga. I read that in one of his first books (Pilates’ Return to Life Through Contrology), most of the exercises described were yoga based. Pilates has evolved but does incorporate exercises from various sources including yoga.

…Medically speaking, there’s no good reason to believe this. If one is practicing the religion of yoga, then I don’t doubt that demonic influence can cause some strange behavior and mystical abilities. Chasing after these experiences is wrong. But,if someone does not practice the religion or philosophy of yoga and does not chase after mystical experiences, there is no good reason to believe that the position…

I agree… with your entire post.

Autumn

 

[Courtneyjo]

SpeakEasy:

So if symbols only have meaning if we give them a particular meaning, then can we decorate our houses with pentagrams and upside down crosses because we like the design only and still be good Christians???

You may indeed use an upside down cross as a symbol of Christianity, as this Apologetics thread discusses:

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=87556&highlight=upside+cross

 

[Kristina_P]

SpeakEasy:

So if symbols only have meaning if we give them a particular meaning, then can we decorate our houses with pentagrams and upside down crosses because we like the design only and still be good Christians???

Those things have no value, either physical or spiritual, to add to our lives, whereas the exercises associated with yoga can be said to have physical value.

The major problem with decorating your house with satanic symbols is a problem of witness. Even if you give those symbols new, Christian meanings, a person who sees your house will assume that you are a satanist. (On a sidenote, the pentagram, or five-pointed star, is also an old Christian symbol of the Virgin Mary. You’ll find it used that way in the medieval tale Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. The upside-down cross is often used as a symbol of St. Peter.) If one chooses not to participate in yoga because it might tarnish their witness or offend their Christian friends who find yoga objectionable, then these are valid reasons not to participate.

Most Western people do not know of any symbolism attached to yoga poses, though. Unlike pentagrams and upside-down crosses, they are not symbols that have any meaning at all in our society.

 

[CatholicSam]

I could not find anything saying that the Church explicitly condemns secularized yoga exercises. But this is my take on it:

A good Catholic woman is visiting a friend whose daughter is not Christian and is making poor choices in life. She drops a Miraculous Medal in the daughter’s purse when the daughter is not looking. And the daughter has a change of heart and decides to go with her mom to church next Sunday “just to see what it’s all about.”

That daughter didn’t have faith in the Miraculous Medal–she didn’t even believe in God, much less believe in the intercession of Our Lady. But having the Miraculous Medal in her possession opened her up to God’s graces.

Another example would be the “hardened sinner” who is saved by hearing the Chaplet of Divine Mercy prayed over them on their death bed. They didn’t pray it themselves, but only heard the words (no act of the will present here).

We know that Satan doesn’t have one original thought in his head and copies God to draw people away. And people can pray to Satan and have Satanic versions of the mass. And… certain occult symbols and gestures (yoga poses being in this category), *can * have an effect on a person without his/her consent or will, or even knowledge. This is not saying that *every * person will be affected.

 

[LSG]

Romans Chapter 12

1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.

2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

In Jesus and Mary,

LSG

 

[Fitz]

CatholicSam:

I choose to take the word of experts who have *studied *this very subject at length. I also have great respect for the priests on EWTN, and if they say to avoid yoga, by golly, I’m avoiding yoga

I saw one of the programs on EWTN that cautioned about YOGA. I was surprised myself to learn about the cult like nature of it. However, I can think of a few classes that I took that were not involved in spiritual talk at all. I think the speaker on EWTN was cautioning about becomming immersed in it, becomming an instructor. She had been an instructor and it seems there are levels of involvement. When one gets to listening to all their mantra, and letting go of spirit,etc. then they need to be concerned. Taking a class and doing stretches could never be sinful really. I like the pilates idea more. I don’t feel comfortable attending anything that mimicks religion in any way. If YOGA for you does that, then you are forewarned.

 

[anna1978]

I’ve never been in the least interested in yoga or pilates-I’ve never tried it and most likely never will, but yes…‘because EWTN says it’s bad’ sounds like a lame excuse to me. If our Pope says tomorrow ‘Yoga is a sin’ then I’ll say ‘Absolutely’, but although EWTN makes some very nice programmes (as well as some painfully boring ones)…I really can’t just take THEIR word for it!

Anna x

 

[Peace-bwu]

Princess_Abby:

Can you explain that more? I’m not clear on how positioning one’s body can open a person up to evil spirits.

The videos I do are stretching and balance. There is no discussion of spirituality or meditation or chakras or any of that new-agey stuff. It’s simply movement that helps prepare a woman’s body for birth and I’m not understanding how it invites evil spirits?

While many in the west see yoga as a program of seemingly harmless physical exercises, it is an intrinsic part of Hinduism.

What is yoga?

It’s a practice by the means of which a spiritual seeker strives 1) to control prakriti (nature) to make the jiva (the soul) fit for union with purusha (the Oversoul), and 2) to attain nirvikalpa samadhi (union with God) and thus jivanmukta (the liberation of the soul from the rounds of birth and death).

Afterwards, the yogi is said to be a jivanmukti or atmajnani (a possessor of Self-knowledge). Western yogis prefer to call the goal “God-consciousness” or “Self-realization.” Some call it “Christ-consciousness.”

When did the practice begin?

Evidence of the practice, say Hindu scholars, appears in the Upanishads (ca. 1000 B.C.), which declare that atmajnana is the goal of life. Further evidence appears in the Bhagavad Gita (ca. 500-400 B.C.), which advises serious seekers of God to practice “control of the self by the Self.” But yoga was officially systematized by Patanjali, a student of the Samkhya philosophy, in his Yoga Sutras (ca. A.D. 150).

Is yoga a religious or spiritual practice?

Unquestionably, yes, as its history, methods, and goal prove. Four main yogas now exist. Depending on temperament and attainments, the yogi may choose one or more of “paths” to liberation: karma (work), bhakti (devotion), raja (meditation), jnana (atmajnana, Self-knowledge: Atman = Brahman). Ironically, hatha yoga is the third of eight limbs in Patanjali’s system of raja yoga, the adoption of which presupposes the completion of the first two: scriptural study, moral purity, non-violence, etc. To practice hatha yoga is to accept the doctrines of raja yoga, involving the coiled serpent-power at the base of the spine (kundalini), seven chakras, postures (asana), breath control (pranayama), and meditation (dharana and dhyana).

Source: Yoga: An Overview,

My opinion is that the use of Yoga can open us up to spiritualism and can do spiritual damage to us without our realizing it, until it smacks us upside the head. I believe it has health benefits, but at what cost? It opens us up to the New Age movement which I just realized first hand this week is far more destructive than many of us realize. I would have been one to argue that it can be used just as simple exercise, but I feel differently now after an experience I had with a new friend who is New Age but remains in the Catholic Church to try to change it. The New Age philosophies and concepts creep slowly in and can change the way we understand spirituality. It is like playing with fire, by straddling the fence between the Truth of Catholocism and the spiritual aspects of yoga, or other similar things. When we begin to try to manipulate the physical and spiritual world without God, to seek healing, wisdom or knowledge, it is committing adultry against Him. Experimenting with Yoga, (Tarot cards, mediums,psychics New Age philosophies, etc.) is like a married man considering an affair, or watching pornography. It can do spiritual harm, and could actually lead to committing adultry.

I have done yoga moves in exercise classes, (not a yoga class)I did not notice any harm done, but after this week I will not participate in any form of yoga again…

 

[Princess_Abby]

Peace-bwu,

I appreciate the info! I think the difference is that I am not “a spiritual seeker that strives to control nature to make the soul fit for union with the oversoul and union with God thus the liberation of the soul from the rounds of birth and death.” I’m just trying to stretch my hips and torso and arms and legs! Of course, now that I’m on bedrest, I’m not doing anything other then whatever streches happen to feel good at intervals and keep the blood flowing.

I don’t feel there is any danger when there is no will nor desire to open oneself up to spiritual oppression. Maybe if I was “striving” to “control nature” and acheive “union” with my “oversoul” (whatever that is) then yes there would be a problem, but the problem would not be with yoga, it would be with my choice in dabbling with Hinduism. I don’t have any desire or knowledge of how to control nature or connect with my oversoul, I’m just interested in opening up my hip flexors…

The info you provided certainly confirms that for SOME people it is a spiritual practice; it just isn’t for me. Perhaps if the video or class really encouraged meditation and “control over nature” or whatever, I’d be a little concerned. Instead it’s just, “Okay you pregnant mommies! Let’s stretch this way!” IMO, that is not ‘straddling the fence’ between Catholicism and New Agey stuff. It’s exercise.

 

[Sapientia]

Please list the poses alone (without the concept of emptying your mind) which cause one to invite evil spirits & please cite references. Thank you.

 

[SummerSmiles]

Please list the poses alone (without the concept of emptying your mind) which cause one to invite evil spirits & please cite references. Thank you.

This thread is 6 years old… I don’t think you’re likely to get a response from those who originally contributed to this thread.

 

[dedo]

I do yoga alone at home about 3-4 times a week.

I only do about 20 minutes of yoga mixed with strength work (bands).

The combination of effective stretching, and strength work is very effective for advancing fitness and preventing “stress eating”. Yoga dissolves stress. Other forms of stretching probably work just as well.

Personally, I am not into fear mongering. Stretching is a big part of fitness. There are other forms of stretching for people who don’t like yoga (pilates, resistance stretching, etc.)

Show me an over weight person, and you can be certain the person is not stretching.

 

[Catholic90]

Show me an over weight person, and you can be certain the person is not stretching.

That is a VERY untrue statement!! Very untrue!!

I stretch and do yoga poses to keep my back in shape. If I do not, I pay for it with great back pain. I am also about 50 pounds overweight. (down from about 52 pounds overweight!).

 

[BettyBoop416]

The forum police sometimes get all bent out of shape when someone responds to an old thread. Personally, I don’t care at all, but this one hasn’t been active for six years! How did you even find it???

Anyway, a woman from my parish gives yoga lessons twice a week in the parish hall. I attend frequently, and there is usually a priest or two present practicing his sun salutation or downward dog. The devil seems to be ignoring us during this time.