Catholic Teachings re Yoga, New Age Healing

[Cracker_Mom]

Can anyone recommend Catholic sites for Church teachings on yoga and New Age based therapies/healing? Something that would be helpful for a teenager to read?
One of my kids has a gym membership where yoga classes are offered. He has attended 2 classes & says it makes him feel relaxed & focused. (Which re. the focusing part would be a first. )
The gym is owned by a devout, daily Mass attending Catholic & overall has a great atmosphere but I’ve always personally steered clear of yoga. My experience has been that no matter what a yoga instructor claimed, when you scratch the surface you find Eastern religion/New Age philosophy lurking. I’m guessing there are exceptions, but this has been my somewhat limited experience in the past.
I’m glad my teenager is seeking out exercise & self improvement but he needs to be aware of the inherent dangers in New Age stuff.The instructor last time suggested he listen to “New Age” music & mentioned the benefits of sacro-cranial adjustments. (I’m waiting for the crystals & aura readings next.)
I know some very orthodox Catholics who go to yoga class & swear up & down it’s only about the exercises.OK.I believe them but am still concerned for a teen who’s not as grounded in their Faith & impressionable.
What can he read that will not sound over-the-top & paranoid and will present Church teaching? And be readable for a teenager?
Thanks so much!

 

[Scoobyshme]

First, I’ll answer about yoga. That’s the easy one.

Two factors are relevant here: First, it depends on whether the yoga is being presented in a manner that is free of religious elements-i.e., purely as a system of physical exercise. If it is coupled with elements of Hindu spirituality (e.g., talk about moving kundalini, or energy, around your body), it is not appropriate for Catholics to use it as part of their exercise routine.

Children are not mature in their thinking, and while an adult who is firm in his faith might be able to go to an “iffy” yoga exercise class without danger of being attracted to Hindu spirituality, a child well might not. If a child is being put in danger of being attracted to Hindu spirituality-either now or in the future-by the program, then it is not appropriate. (This answer is from catholic.com/thisrock/2001/0107qq.asp)

With regard to anything “New Age” I advise: run the other way, quick! It’s a heresy.

Here’s something that might click with a teenager: catholic.com/thisrock/1990/9004nam.asp

 

[Cracker_Mom]

First, I’ll answer about yoga. That’s the easy one.

Two factors are relevant here: First, it depends on whether the yoga is being presented in a manner that is free of religious elements-i.e., purely as a system of physical exercise. If it is coupled with elements of Hindu spirituality (e.g., talk about moving kundalini, or energy, around your body), it is not appropriate for Catholics to use it as part of their exercise routine.

Children are not mature in their thinking, and while an adult who is firm in his faith might be able to go to an “iffy” yoga exercise class without danger of being attracted to Hindu spirituality, a child well might not. If a child is being put in danger of being attracted to Hindu spirituality-either now or in the future-by the program, then it is not appropriate. (This answer is from catholic.com/thisrock/2001/0107qq.asp)

With regard to anything “New Age” I advise: run the other way, quick! It’s a heresy.

Here’s something that might click with a teenager: catholic.com/thisrock/1990/9004nam.asp

Thanks so much! I’ll print those up for my son.Appreciate your help!

 

[amgp]

As a former top world ranked, Olympic level athlete, I can attest to the fact that there are hundreds of other (much better) ways to exercise than yoga. Yoga is just the latest Hollywood celebrity craze (and don’t look to them to be the “experts” in anything).

 

[losh14]

I used to be in the martial arts - and I was quite good at them - and I do Yoga on the Wii, but to me these are forms of physical training. It’s not just exercise, it’s also a matter of attuning the mind to what the body is doing, relaxing the mind and helping to strengthen the body. I often offer my exercise time to the Lord as thanksgiving for being healthy.

When I was in martial arts we began to meditate before class - and it wasn’t guided meditation, but rather a period of silence in which we focused on our breathing to help us begin our training. I found a lot of use from it, and I think the kids (think 6 to 15 year olds) at least calmed down enough that they weren’t rambunctious and were able to focus on their lessons. The parents didn’t like this and so we stopped - though I still meditated at home. Nothing wrong with this and it can be quite useful.

When it comes to guided meditation, be careful - it’s the guide you need to be wary of. I once attended a Church retreat where we had a session on meditation that asked us to focus on an encounter with Christ, who is healing us while we are on a journey up a mountain. Okay, that’s fine. If you introduce ideas that are alien to the faith, though, that’s dangerous. It’s not because of some totemistic silliness - ie, if you chant a prayer to an alien god in another tongue and don’t know what you’re saying, it doesn’t impact you. What is dangerous is the introduction of alien ideas into an impressionable mind - ie, “channel the spirit energy of the good spirits around you” or some garbage like that.

Another poster said it well - for exercise there are many other means, especially for a young person. Tai Chi and yoga offer movements that are less jarring to the bodies of older folks like myself, but you can just as easily incorporate guided Christian meditation or even simple relaxation techniques into other forms of stretching and get the same benefits.

What can he read that will not sound over-the-top & paranoid and will present Church teaching? And be readable for a teenager?
Thanks so much!

Church teaching on this can be summed up simply as “what’s your intent and what are you doing with it?” If you want relaxation coupled with stretching, do you need to be exposed to strange notions of how mana flows into you?

 

[John_of_Woking]

Sharon Lee Giganti was on Catholic Answers Live (CAL) railing against yoga. I listen to her when it comes to the new age. She has been there on the other side. There may be something on her website…not too sure. Otherwise you can download the recent podcasts of CAL.