I have heard yes and no from Clergy. I suppose it depends on depth of understanding of Eastern philosophy and religion with relation to what the Church teaches. Yoga did come to play around 100 to 200 years prior to Christ’s birth. My recommendation to those who don’t understand which way to go is to consider Tai Chi. I have had many students come over to Tai Chi from Yoga and have come to appreciate it and realize its greater potential. Tai Chi is ultimately an internal martial art, but focuses on one’s harmony of the body, mind, and spirit. Additionally it is a flowing art form that combines static and non static movement as opposed to stationary postures and promotes internal energy flow. It’s roots are not of any religious order, even though its forefathers were of Taoist practice. Easter Chinese Martial Arts originated from Buddhist practitioners who ultimately were committed to praying and meditating daily. The Buddhist teacher Bohdidarma found that they were of poor health and incorporated daily exercise, also known as the 18 fists of Lohan or 18 hands of shaolin to improve on their health. Eventually there was a split from some Buddhist Shaolin practitioners or monks to Taosim, then came the development of Tai Chi.
Within Tai Chi is the practice of Chi Gung, which combines breathing techniques that helps move positive energy within the body to promote better health. I do caution you that seek a good teacher that is or can trace their roots to a Master Level of Chinese decent, particular to the Shaolin Order or any of the Chen or Yang families. The practice of Chi Gung can open the body to evil if one doesn’t know how to protect themselves to it. Without the Chi Gung practice Tai Chi becomes an empty form. I myself learned from one of few Monks from Shaolin that studied under the Chen family. While he is Buddhist, never has he promoted Buddhism to his students nor taught how to tie in Buddhism or any religion to Tai Chi. Truly Tai Chi is great practice that can help you to harmonize your body with itself, promote health benefits, and quiet the mind. Better yet, it even promotes martial applications from a non violent way, something Yoga lacks. A good teacher will teach one how to heal the body before it inflicts damage to anyone. For one is responsible, even in self defense to bring aid to the other if one has inflicted bodily harm to them.
Wish you the best in discerning a better way to strengthen your body and promote good health, while staying faithful to the teachings of the Catholic Church through Christ our Lord.
