Catholics against yoga?

[pcordero]

I feel like yoga is rejected by the Catholic Church because it is from Hinduism and they believe yoga promotes it, but I would think yoga would actually quiet the mind and help someone hear God better. Then again, I am not the most knowledgeable person on yoga.

 

[robwar]

praying the rosary and going to adoration will quite the mind. you do not need to use Hinduism nor should you to find peace and tranquility. You have plenty of quite and peaceful activities in the Catholic faith to use. Don’t use false eastern religions to do this.

 

[AlTheCollegeGal]

Actually, I’ve heard of Catholic versions of yoga. I think the point is to center oneself on God and not on, well, oneself. The main problem with yoga from a Catholic and even Christian perspective is the unnecessary and problematic focus on oneself. The Vatican has warned that yoga “can degenerate into a cult of the body” which is the opposite of what we should be striving for.

 

[acacia12]

Ermmmm…what about Mindfulness CD? I was given one to relax, deep breathing and going through each part of the body and relaxing it.? Well now I no what to say if someone asks me to yoga with them

 

[lssanjose]

You can take Yoga, anyway you want. If we were created in the image, and likeness of God, then things like Yoga, are signs of God’s intelligence. You don’t need to pay homage to things Hindu. Just use it as a physical exercise. I see no problem with it. Heck, a very strong Catholic family, who I recently befriended in last year’s autumn, has a wife who’s a Yoga teacher. I don’t think people should be so scrupulous about it.

 

[Rudy_Baga]

I am always amazed when I see answers like those here on these forums.

@robwar, Jesus said he had “other flocks that are not of this fold” John 10:16. Surely there are many in the East that make many Christians look pitiful in their faith. When you make a broad claim that these religions are false in such a condescending manner, you diminish their discipline. Perhaps you should read Verse 847 in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. For that matter, read from 839 - 848.

@AlTheCollegeGirl, any for of meditation can be adapted to Christianity. I don’t understand how yoga can become a “cult of the body” any more than what we see in some people and their workout/aerobics/jogging etc. Yoga has it’s mental side like any discipline and if you are Christian, you can adapt it. Many Eastern meditation forms are nothing short of a different name for what Catholics call contemplative prayer. The most basic yoga meditation is to still the mind like the surface of a still pond. “Be still and know that I am God” Ps 46:10 Elijah also heard God in a “small, still voice” 1 Kings 19:11-13

To the original poster, Father Anthony DeMello s.j. has a book out called "Sadhanna, A way to God. In it he adapts Eastern techniques to Christianity. For more on contemplative prayer, read Thomas Merton or James Finley. Using yoga postures to keep the body toned and in shape cannot be faulted. The body is the temple of God and should be kept in order. Just keep your meditation in sync with your faith. As for energy techniques, eat well, exercise, pray and meditate. Do not get overly concerned energy techniques. Balance in your life should be evidence of progress. “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you” Matt 6:33

 

[Lady_Love]

The apologists addressed this question. You might want to look in that section. I believe there is nothing wrong with practicing yoga.

“In my personal opinion, I believe St. Paul’s point is applicable here. There are no other gods other than the one God of the Trinity. There are no Hindu gods to invoke so in Yoga we are merely doing exercises to keep physically healthy. If someone is engaging in spirituality contrary to the Catholic faith that is a separate issue that, imho, has nothing to do with what position their body is in when they do it.”

---

Recent apologetics answers by Fr. Charles Grondin

 

[Sonic]

I feel like yoga is rejected by the Catholic Church because it is from Hinduism and they believe yoga promotes it, but I would think yoga would actually quiet the mind and help someone hear God better. Then again, I am not the most knowledgeable person on yoga.

Go here and listen to the podcast entitled:

Thu, Oct 25 2007 Exorcism Workshop - Session 1, Part 1

kenrick.edu/podcast/audio/07-10-25_1.html

You will find information concerning Yoga.

 

[mirandajb]

The very direct translation of the word “yoga” is to be yoked, and refers specifically to yoking with the Hindu god brahman (see Wikipedia notes en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoga. Why would I want to yoke with a Hindu god when the Bible tells me to yoke with Jesus Christ (Matt11:29).
Yoga in all its forms is the fundamental practice of Hinduism and Buddhism; it is the religion and no part of Yoga can be separated from the philosophy behind it.

Please refer to Eph Chap 6: 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the equipment of the gospel of peace; 16 besides all these, taking the shield of faith, with which you can quench all the flaming darts of the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 Pray at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,
Yes, we certainly are not contending against flesh and blood but principalities … against the father of lies, the devil. Informed Catholics like us are required at all times to test the spirit behind the action / deed. Yoga may be good but most certainly it is not a God thing, and now we know the spirit behind Yoga. Allow me to illustrate further. In Matt Chap 16 verse 22, Peter rebuked Jesus and said ‘this shall never happen to you" - that Peter would not allow Christ to be killed in Jerusalem. Jesus’ reply was “Get behind me satan! You are a hindrance to me; for you are not on the side of God, but men”. This clearly demonstrates that Jesus recognized the spirit behind Peter’s action - the devil. Jesus did not rebuke Peter but the spirit behind Peter that prompted him in that action. According to God’s will, Jesus must die in order to bring salvation to man. Although what Peter did - trying to stop Jesus from going to his death in Jerusalem - was a GOOD thing, it certainly was not a GOD thing. Yoga exercise may be a good thing, but it certainly is not a God thing. One of the Yoga exercises is called ‘soorianamaskaram’ - Sun worship. Christians only worship the Creator and not His creation.
One of the reasons for the 10 plagues in Egypt was for Yahweh to show that He is the only one and true, living and all powerful God, who is worthy of worship - and all the other gods were pseudo-gods. Most of the plagues dealt a blow to one of these gods Yahweh wanted to demonstrate how powerless these gods were to stop the plagues. Jeff Cavins did not mention Amon Re, but plague No 9 - Darkness for 3 days, an eerie darkness that may even be felt, was to show the Egyptians as well as the Israelites (who by the way also worshipped all the Egyptian gods) that Amon Re was defeated. Amon Re was the chief of the Egyptian gods and also the sun god. The other god Jeff did not mention was Hathor, the crafty cow goddess - plague No 5 when livestock was afflicted with death. Doesn’t all this sound like present day Hinduism - cow goddess and soorianamaskaram to Amon Re. Although God delivered the Israelites from Egypt (Egypt typifies the worldly ways), He really wanted the ‘Egypt’ out of them and waited one month from their departure from Egypt (so that all of Egyptian garlic and leeks would be exhausted) before He rained manna from heaven.

 

[lssanjose]

I don’t do Yoga, but I do martial arts. Does that make me a “heathen?” I know there’s something in Thessolians saying test everything, hold what is good and true, leave out what’s not. If we believe God is omnipresent, and He created everything in this world, isn’t everything belonging to Him inherently good? I see no harm in Yoga, when practiced for the right reasons.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

mirandajb

The very direct translation of the word “yoga” is to be yoked, and refers specifically to yoking with the Hindu god brahman (see Wikipedia notes en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoga. Why would I want to yoke with a Hindu god when the Bible tells me to yoke with Jesus Christ (Matt11:29).
Yoga in all its forms is the fundamental practice of Hinduism and Buddhism; it is the religion and no part of Yoga can be separated from the philosophy behind it.

This is the broader definition of Yoga, but Yoga is broken down into segments, physical, mental and spiritual.

There is no doubt about the physical and mental benefits of doing Yoga exercise, and one can do them without going into the spiritual segments.

However, where the spiritual segment involves prayer and meditation, a Christian can use Christian prayer and meditation in this segment.

BTW, I’ve had several priest tell me that Yoga exercise is OK, and a couple even do the exercises themselves.

Yoga isn’t a set of rigid rules which one must follow, but is adaptable according to the person doing it.

For myself, I do yoga exercise first thing in the morning. Then after my shower, I pray the LOTH and spend time in medication.

Explain to me how this is wrong?

Jim

 

[CrimsonThorn]

mirandajb

This is the broader definition of Yoga, but Yoga is broken down into segments, physical, mental and spiritual.

There is no doubt about the physical and mental benefits of doing Yoga exercise, and one can do them without going into the spiritual segments.

However, where the spiritual segment involves prayer and meditation, a Christian can use Christian prayer and meditation in this segment.

BTW, I’ve had several priest tell me that Yoga exercise is OK, and a couple even do the exercises themselves.

Yoga isn’t a set of rigid rules which one must follow, but is adaptable according to the person doing it.

For myself, I do yoga exercise first thing in the morning. Then after my shower, I pray the LOTH and spend time in medication.

Explain to me how this is wrong?

Jim

The physical positions of yoga are salutations to hindu gods, and participating in these positions you are opening yourself up spiritually to align with them, or something like that. Thats what I recall reading.

 

[AthenaC]

The physical positions of yoga are salutations to hindu gods, and participating in these positions you are opening yourself up spiritually to align with them, or something like that. Thats what I recall reading.

It would be difficult to align oneself spiritually with something that does not exist.

Also, the physical positions are great exercise, which is part of taking care of your body as a “temple of the Holy Spirit.”

 

[JimR-OCDS]

The physical positions of yoga are salutations to hindu gods, and participating in these positions you are opening yourself up spiritually to align with them, or something like that. Thats what I recall reading.

It depends which form of Yoga you’re talking about. However, the forms most Americans learn at the YMCA or on PBS, are the physical positions in Yoga are those found in nature.

Also, most of the forms are used in sports for stretching and enhancing balance.

Anyone who does this form of Yoga, will see a toddler playing on the floor going into the various postures, i.e. downward facing dog, screaming pigeon and child’s pose.
I observed this in both of my grandsons when they were toddlers.

Also, nothing has meaning without intention. Catholics doing Yoga are not saluting Hindu gods, as you assert.

If we use your logic, we’ll have to ask, did St Francis of Assisi practice pagan worship by referring to the sun and mother as brother and sister?

Jim

 

[CrimsonThorn]

It would be difficult to align oneself spiritually with something that does not exist.

Also, the physical positions are great exercise, which is part of taking care of your body as a “temple of the Holy Spirit.”

It doesnt matter if they exist or not though, i wouldnt think that would be the point. The point is that you are giving salutation to a false god. And there are other exercises to take care of the temple of the Holy Spirit?

 

[CrimsonThorn]

It depends which form of Yoga you’re talking about. However, the forms most Americans learn at the YMCA or on PBS, are the physical positions in Yoga are those found in nature.

Also, most of the forms are used in sports for stretching and enhancing balance.

Anyone who does this form of Yoga, will see a toddler playing on the floor going into the various postures, i.e. downward facing dog, screaming pigeon and child’s pose.
I observed this in both of my grandsons when they were toddlers.

Also, nothing has meaning without intention. Catholics doing Yoga are not saluting Hindu gods, as you assert.

If we use your logic, we’ll have to ask, did St Francis of Assisi practice pagan worship by referring to the sun and mother as brother and sister?

Jim

First of all, not MY assertion, I just replied with what I read. But I do see how it makes sense.

Also, engaging in something without belief in it or intent does not negate the action. For example, playing with an Ouija board, whether your intent is to equate it to a childish game or whether it even works, is irrelevant and still prohibited by the Church.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

It doesnt matter if they exist or not though, i wouldnt think that would be the point. The point is that you are giving salutation to a false god. And there are other exercises to take care of the temple of the Holy Spirit?

In order to give salutation to a false god, you’d first have to acknowledge the false god.

Downward facing dog posture, doesn’t acknowledge or salute anything.

Neither does warrior one or angle pose.

All are for the purpose of moving the body for toning, stretching and balancing, nothing more.

Jim

 

[JimR-OCDS]

First of all, not MY assertion, I just replied with what I read. But I do see how it makes sense.

Also, engaging in something without belief in it or intent does not negate the action. For example, playing with an Ouija board, whether your intent is to equate it to a childish game or whether it even works, is irrelevant and still prohibited by the Church.

Playing with a Ouija board is not necessarily evil when it’s done in play and not taken seriously. However, it’s dangerous because most people who fool around with a Quija board have some level of belief in the spiritual world and the Quija’s board connection to it.

Such is not the case in doing Yoga exercise.

BTW, if you work out a gym with a personal trainer, or if you’re involved in sports, you’ll be doing some forms of Yoga, because the experts have found the exercises to be beneficial to the body for both warm ups and cool-downs after a hi-impact workout.

Jim

 

[CrimsonThorn]

Playing with a Ouija board is not necessarily evil when it’s done in play and not taken seriously. However, it’s dangerous because most people who fool around with a Quija board have some level of belief in the spiritual world and the Quija’s board connection to it.

Such is not the case in doing Yoga exercise.

BTW, if you work out a gym with a personal trainer, or if you’re involved in sports, you’ll be doing some forms of Yoga, because the experts have found the exercises to be beneficial to the body for both warm ups and cool-downs after a hi-impact workout.

Jim

About the Ouija board, the lack of belief in it or intent does not change the sinfulness of it. Ive read, whether it works or not, or whether you place faith in it or not, it is a portal for demonic spirits. Thats what ive read and heard on several occasions.

Personally for me, id rather just be safe than sorry with these types of things. For my exercise I lift weights

 

[JimR-OCDS]

About the Ouija board, the lack of belief in it or intent does not change the sinfulness of it. Ive read, whether it works or not, or whether you place faith in it or not, it is a portal for demonic spirits. Thats what ive read and heard on several occasions.

Personally for me, id rather just be safe than sorry with these types of things. For my exercise I lift weights

It’s not necessarily a sin to use a Quija board as a game, nor more than it is to use one of the large eight balls with predictions that float up to the viewing window.

It’s a sin to seek spirits for information via a Quija board, which is what it often leads to, even for those who merely use it as a game.

This is entirely different than doing Yoga exercise. There is no spiritual seeking element to it.

You don’t feel good about Yoga, then don’t do it. But don’t spread false information about something you have no idea about.

Jim