Can I do Yoga?

[TheBreak]

English is not my first language, so I apologize for any misspellings.

I used to do yoga before I became Christian, I liked doing it, and it was making me feel so calm and relaxed. Some people told me that I can’t do Yoga because it is going to make some “evil spirits” enter my house. since then I stopped doing yoga but I really miss it so much, It is not like it wasn’t good for my health, it was really good.

God bless

 

[Chantal25]

Oh mye, there is a tread already started. You will have strong points on both side.

Yoga is used to connect your Kudalini to Shiva (Hindu god).

Nothing wrong to do the exercise or stretching but i strongly recommend of not attempting a class. Yoga must be separated completely from the exercise. Burning incense isn’t wrong but to Ganesh, yes. Ganesh must be separated from the incense. A true yoga teacher will mix the spirituality of it with the exercise. Also most of the teacher are New Age involvement and they will definitely mix both. If you want to proceed, research deeply.

ETWN warn to get very well educated first before proceeding to a class.

You can get DVD with teacher that only do the technique if you wish.

Personally, i prefer to stay away from this.

Jesus is the one to bring peace of mind, love and strength.

I would simply pray God and to show you sign of the right thing to do

All the best!

 

[Ophelia23]

I love the exercise of Yoga. Especially right now while I am pregnant, the stretches and strengthening poses are very helpful to me. But when I practice my breathing and calming my mind, or when I am holding my poses, I try to focus my heart on an image of Jesus.

 

[cheezey]

I love the exercise of Yoga. Especially right now while I am pregnant, the stretches and strengthening poses are very helpful to me. But when I practice my breathing and calming my mind, or when I am holding my poses, I try to focus my heart on an image of Jesus.

Oh, please let there be a merge.
The exercise of Yoga is good and beneficial to the health of one’s body.
Yes, you can do Yoga as exercise without practicing its religious/philosophical faith.
Be careful with your precious baby!! I will assume this is with the consent of your doctor.
My God bless you and your baby!!

 

[Deo_Gratias42]

Oh, please let there be a merge.
The exercise of Yoga is good and beneficial to the health of one’s body.
Yes, you can do Yoga as exercise without practicing its religious/philosophical faith.
Be careful with your precious baby!! I will assume this is with the consent of your doctor.
My God bless you and your baby!!

I talked to a Yogi and was told that it is not possible to separate the two, as each pose is an imitation of a god and named after such. As you go through each pose, it is supposed to bring you to union with the serpent god.

 

[R_C]

English is not my first language, so I apologize for any misspellings. I used to do yoga before I became Christian, I liked doing it, and it was making me feel so calm and relaxed. Some people told me that I can’t do Yoga because it is going to make some “evil spirits” enter my house. since then I stopped doing yoga but I really miss it so much, It is not like it wasn’t good for my health, it was really good.
God bless

There are certain aspects that make it be spiritually problematic. This official document from the Holy See states:

The ever more frequent contact with other religions and with their different styles and methods of prayer has, in recent decades, led many of the faithful to ask themselves what value non-Christian forms of meditation might have for Christians. Above all, the question concerns eastern methods.

[The expression “eastern methods” is used to refer to methods which are inspired by Hinduism and Buddhism, such as “Zen,” “Transcendental Meditation” or “Yoga.” Thus it indicates methods of meditation of the non-Christian Far East which today are not infrequently adopted by some Christians also in their meditation.]

Some people today turn to these methods for therapeutic reasons [and also] to seek in these methods of prayer a path to interior peace and psychic balance. …]

Some physical exercises automatically produce a feeling of quiet and relaxation, pleasing sensations, perhaps even phenomena of light and of warmth, which resemble spiritual well-being. To take such feelings for the authentic consolations of the Holy Spirit would be a totally erroneous way of conceiving the spiritual life. Giving them a symbolic significance typical of the mystical experience, when the moral condition of the person concerned does not correspond to such an experience, would represent a kind of mental schizophrenia which could also lead to psychic disturbance and, at times, to moral deviations.

So there are good aspects but there can be not too good aspects. Some have gone as far (as you heard) to claim that certain types of exercises can expose us to demonic activity. I don’t know whether or not the latter is a fact or an isolated observation that was generalized. I’d read that document I posted the link to in order to understand the Christian position on meditation.

Would I do it? No. It’s not necessary for me. And personally I don’t seek comfort, for it leads to temptation For some, yoga is used as a means of therapy. That’s a different issue.

 

[R_C]

ETWN warn to get very well educated first before proceeding to a class.

Yoga and Christianity: More Than What Meets the Eye, EWTN News by Fr. John Flynn, LC

These techniques are widely recommended as being good for fitness and relaxation, and few would at first see anything dangerous about them, Bishop Julian Porteous, one of Sydney’s auxiliary bishops, commented …] However, he warned, “The world into which the practitioner is introduced is inimical to the Christian faith.” While some of the practices they promote may be helpful at a superficial level they are, Bishop Porteous adverted, “a Trojan horse for dangerous spiritual infiltration.” Many Christians who practice yoga, tai chi and similar techniques do so without any desire to embrace the underlying philosophy or spiritual beliefs, yet, he commented, the mind-altering techniques in themselves bring with them serious spiritual risks. “Even if one seeks to distance oneself from the chi philosophy, the techniques involved in this meditation in movement are such as to significantly alter the practitioner’s state of consciousness,” he argued.

“Are Catholics permitted to take Yoga classes?” EWTN q&a by Colin B. Donovan, STL

If it is a matter, therefore, of simply using yoga positions for relaxation in preparation for Christian mediation, while not embracing to any degree the philosophy or explanation behind the posture, their use is theoretically possible. However, many Christians who are former practitioners of yoga argue that it is not possible, that the dangers of the occult remain, especially by efforts to manipulate internal forces in order to achieve a particular physical state.

 

[cheezey]

I talked to a Yogi and was told that it is not possible to separate the two, as each pose is an imitation of a god and named after such. As you go through each pose, it is supposed to bring you to union with the serpent god.

Well, of course a Yogi would say that. That it is suppose to bring union, does not mean that it does. Even a believing yogi needs years to become an adept. I use it for my body’s health only, it has not brought me to any Yogic awakening. But my back feels SOOOO much better in the process, all the while reserving all my faith, love and devotion to Christ Jesus.
It is an imitation, as you said.

 

[Chantal25]

I talked to a Yogi and was told that it is not possible to separate the two, as each pose is an imitation of a god and named after such. As you go through each pose, it is supposed to bring you to union with the serpent god.

Oh mye, i didn’t realize this, thank you for sharing. Now i know why in my heart i want nothing to do with this, lol…

 

[Ophelia23]

I talked to a Yogi and was told that it is not possible to separate the two, as each pose is an imitation of a god and named after such. As you go through each pose, it is supposed to bring you to union with the serpent god.

I would expect a yogi to say this. But, how is it any different than saying you can’t sit cross legged without engaging in Buddhist meditation? How is positioning the body in a certain pose going to cause the unavoidable spiritual connection with another religion? If all it took to become Catholic was learning how to kneel and put our hands together, then we would have much higher numbers wouldn’t we? But you and I both know it takes so much more than just the motions or the poses to become Catholic–it requires your heart, your intellect, your inquiry and desire. I simply fail to see how physically putting my body into positions for stretching and muscle toning would lead me to suddenly become immersed in a different faith…

 

[Chantal25]

Just sharing,

from this site

christiananswersforthenewage.org/AboutCANA_FAQs3.html

Q. Should a Christian practice yoga? Is there such a thing as Christian Yoga?

Yoga is so much a part of Hindu belief and worship (it is a form of worship imo) that I advise Christians to not do yoga.

The poses themselves are often depictions of Hindu deities, and the hand positions mimic the positions of the hands of statues of Hindu gods. The purpose of yoga is not physical and it is not to relax; it is to prepare the student for more advanced meditative states and also to lead them to the realization that their true self is divine (the “Atman”). The goal is to dis-identify with the body and self as your real identity.

Many yoga classes do not use the Eastern terms when teaching yoga, but disguise these with other terms that sound innocuous, such as “breathing techniques” for pranayama; “energy points” for chakras; “center” for meditation; “poses” for asanas, etc.

The two CANA articles on yoga show the strong spiritual roots of yoga:
christiananswersforthenewage.org/Articles_Yoga.html

christiananswersforthenewage.org/Articles_YogaHippies1.html

 

[Chantal25]

Article posted by a Catholic priest he was raise Catholic and also in India:

As a Catholic Christian born in a traditional Catholic family in Kerala, India, but lived amidst the Hindus; and now as a catholic religious priest and charismatic preacher in 60 countries in all continents, I have something to say about the bad effects of Yoga on Christian spirituality and life. I know there is a growing interest on Yoga all over the world, even among Christians- and this interest is extended to other esoteric and new age practices like Reiki, reincarnation, acupressure, acupuncture, pranic healing, reflexology, etc. which are methods against which the Vatican has cautioned and warned in her document “Jesus Christ bearer of the water of life”.

(Read the rest of the article below)

jmanjackal.net/eng/engyoga.htm

 

[R_C]

I would expect a yogi to say this. But, how is it any different than saying you can’t sit cross legged without engaging in Buddhist meditation?

Yoga is a very complex art composed of many motions - physical and spiritual. That yogi would be quite upset

But you and I both know it takes so much more than just the motions or the poses to become Catholic–it requires your heart, your intellect, your inquiry and desire.

Yes, but in Yoga there’s a reason why you are doing those motions and poses - unlike for us. It is that reason that leads to trouble, that underlying teaching, that basic belief that moves you to do those motions - that’s what can be problematic, not the motions in themselves.

 

[Ophelia23]

Yoga is a very complex art composed of many motions - physical and spiritual. That yogi would be quite upset

I do know this! I was just trying to make another example of the same idea, different situation. I don’t understand how simply doing a physical motion means one is practicing ideology or faith behind it. …And I also don’t understand why every priest I have asked about this has assured me that it is perfectly acceptable to use the poses and stretches of yoga for health reasons.

 

[adrift]

I talked to a Yogi and was told that it is not possible to separate the two, as each pose is an imitation of a god and named after such. As you go through each pose, it is supposed to bring you to union with the serpent god.

WII fit has yogi on it. Did not know that it was an imitation of a god. He may be so into his religion that he can’t see that the stretching can be void of religious connotation.

 

[cheezey]

WII fit has yogi on it. Did not know that it was an imitation of a god. He may be so into his religion that he can’t see that the stretching can be void of religious connotation.

yes, yoga stretches, movement can be void of religious connotation. Thank you for this post.

 

[Chantal25]

She made good points about the pauses and the example of the sign of the cross.

womenofgrace.com/blog/?p=17011

Extract from the link above

*Legendary guru B.K.S. Iyengar confirms this in his book, Light on Yoga, where he says that some yoga positions “are also called after gods of the Hindu pantheon and some recall the Avataras, or incarnation of Divine Power.”

Having said all that, we come to a purely logical conclusion - it’s not possible to “just do them as an exercise” when the so-called “exercises” aren’t just exercises.

That would be like saying the sign of the cross can be used as a triceps exercise. Sure, you can use it that way, but it’s not – and never will be – a triceps exercise. Like yoga positions, it can never be a mere “physical action” or “neutral” because it has a profound spiritual meaning.*

*Others attempt to lend Christian names to these poses, or to pray the Rosary while practicing them; however, none of these actions negates the intrinsic Hindu meanings in these poses, at least not according to Bishop Norberto Carerra.

In his pastoral instruction on the New Age, A Call to Vigilance: Pastoral Instruction on New Age, Bishop Carerra writes: “However much proponents insist that these techniques are valuable as methods, and imply no teaching contrary to Christianity, the techniques in themselves . . . in their own context, the postures and exercises, are designed for their specific religious purpose. Even when they are carried out within a Christian atmosphere, the intrinsic meaning of these gestures remains intact.”

So even if you think you’re stretching your back, if you’re using the Sun Stretch to do so, whether you intend to or not, you’re still posing in a position of worship to the Sun god because that’s what this pose was designed to do. It was never designed as a back stretch.

It works the same way with someone who uses the sign of the cross to work out their triceps. They may indeed be working out these muscles, but regardless of their intentions, they’re still working out these muscles by making a sign of profession of faith in the Triune God.

My advice is that if the idea of posing yourself in a position of worship to a Hindu god is even remotely bothersome to you, stop doing it. There are plenty of other exercises/stretches you can do that work just as well as yoga.*

 

[LisaA]

She made good points about the pauses and the example of the sign of the cross.

womenofgrace.com/blog/?p=17011

Extract from the link above

*Legendary guru B.K.S. Iyengar confirms this in his book, Light on Yoga, where he says that some yoga positions “are also called after gods of the Hindu pantheon and some recall the Avataras, or incarnation of Divine Power.”

Having said all that, we come to a purely logical conclusion - it’s not possible to “just do them as an exercise” when the so-called “exercises” aren’t just exercises.

That would be like saying the sign of the cross can be used as a triceps exercise. Sure, you can use it that way, but it’s not – and never will be – a triceps exercise. Like yoga positions, it can never be a mere “physical action” or “neutral” because it has a profound spiritual meaning.*

*Others attempt to lend Christian names to these poses, or to pray the Rosary while practicing them; however, none of these actions negates the intrinsic Hindu meanings in these poses, at least not according to Bishop Norberto Carerra.

In his pastoral instruction on the New Age, A Call to Vigilance: Pastoral Instruction on New Age, Bishop Carerra writes: “However much proponents insist that these techniques are valuable as methods, and imply no teaching contrary to Christianity, the techniques in themselves . . . in their own context, the postures and exercises, are designed for their specific religious purpose. Even when they are carried out within a Christian atmosphere, the intrinsic meaning of these gestures remains intact.”

So even if you think you’re stretching your back, if you’re using the Sun Stretch to do so, whether you intend to or not, you’re still posing in a position of worship to the Sun god because that’s what this pose was designed to do. It was never designed as a back stretch.

It works the same way with someone who uses the sign of the cross to work out their triceps. They may indeed be working out these muscles, but regardless of their intentions, they’re still working out these muscles by making a sign of profession of faith in the Triune God.

My advice is that if the idea of posing yourself in a position of worship to a Hindu god is even remotely bothersome to you, stop doing it. There are plenty of other exercises/stretches you can do that work just as well as yoga.*

Thank you. I hoped someone referenced Women of Grace and Jonette Bencovic. She has a frequent guest, Sue Goodman of “New Age Blog” and between them, they have confirmed that practicing yoga is not appropriate for Catholics…probably not for any Christian but I have not heard other faiths making this demand.

You can call it stretching and if all you are doing is stretching, it’s NOT yoga. The poses are specific to trigger certain feelings and sensations that mimic authentic spiritual experiences. Further the atmosphere, the incense, chanting and music are clearly not meant to focus you upon Jesus Christ. Before I was Christian I was an avid practitioner of Kundalini Yoga and according to Jonette, it’s one of the most religiously oriented form…not Christian religion. Much chanting, trying to be one with the world…lots of woo woo! Very SELF oriented too…how am I feeling, what are the bodily sensations, where is my mind going.

Think twice even if it seems harmless or even beneficial. Yoga is a pathway to god and that’s with a small g.

LIsa

 

[R_C]

I don’t understand how simply doing a physical motion means one is practicing ideology or faith behind it. …And I also don’t understand why every priest I have asked about this has assured me that it is perfectly acceptable to use the poses and stretches of yoga for health reasons.

Ok, consider what the USCCB has said on Reiki as an alternative therapy - and as a disclaimer, I am not saying yoga=reiki, I am just trying to point out “how simply doing a physical motion means one is practicing faith behind it”.

The Church recognizes two kinds of healing: healing by divine grace and healing that utilizes the powers of nature. …] the Church has never considered a plea for divine healing, which comes as a gift from God, to exclude recourse to natural means of healing through the practice of medicine. …]

Reiki is a technique of healing that was invented in Japan …] According to Reiki teaching, illness is caused by some kind of disruption or imbalance in one’s “life energy.” …] There are numerous designated hand positions for addressing different problems. …]

Although Reiki proponents seem to agree that Reiki does not represent a religion of its own, but a technique that may be utilized by people from many religious traditions, it does have several aspects of a religion. …]

The explanation of the efficacy of Reiki depends entirely on a particular view of the world as permeated by this “universal life energy” that is subject to manipulation by human thought and will. …]

In terms of caring for one’s spiritual health,** there are important dangers.**** To use Reiki one would have to accept at least in an implicit way central elements of the worldview that undergirds Reiki theory, elements that belong neither to Christian faith nor to natural science.** …] a Catholic who puts his or her trust in Reiki would be operating in the realm of superstition …] ** Superstition corrupts one’s worship of God by turning one’s religious feeling and practice in a false direction.** …]

Since Reiki therapy is not compatible with either Christian teaching or scientific evidence, it would be inappropriate for Catholic institutions, such as Catholic health care facilities and retreat centers, or persons representing the Church, such as Catholic chaplains, to promote or to provide support for Reiki therapy.

This is why I wrote that in Yoga there’s a reason why you are doing those motions and poses and it is that reason that leads to trouble, that underlying teaching, that basic belief that moves you to do those motions - that’s what can be problematic, not the motions in themselves.

 

[PetiteFoi]

I also do yoga. But I do it at home with a dvd; you can choose to have the “spiritual audio” on or off. If you choose off, they stop talking about your “inner god” and just tell you where to put your feet.

When I had a 6 month old and hadn’t developed my “mommy muscles” yet - my back was in constant agony. The only thing that seemed to help was yoga stretches morning and evening.

Someone already used the example of incense, which I thought to be a perfect example.
People burn incense to pagan gods and it horrible rituals all the time - just like the use of candles.
Yet the actual item, in and of itself is not pagan. You decide how to use your incense; just like Catholic images and statues.
We know it’s “just a statue” and no, you’re not worshiping it because Mary is on your office desk.
But ask most proddy’s and they’ll tell you it’s an idol.

It’s intent.

My intent for yoga is a great relaxing stretch to help my poor back.
My intent with images/statues of Saints is to encourage me and remind me of their faithfulness and to emulate them.

Peace,
~ PetiteFoi