Is yoga demonic or no?

[LilyM]

The Church and the Scriptures teaches that there are no other methods to develop intimate relationship with God other than prayer.I agree that we can use our bodies in prayer, but in accordance with the Church teachings, we can do that through our ACTIONS, not through stretching of certain body parts.

So the flexing of our knees so as our lower legs both touch the floor (aka kneeling) is not an action that has an effect on our prayer life? If not, why does the Church make that very action mandatory for certain portions of the Mass?

Or that other action - you know, the one where we slowly and mindfully bring the right hand first to the forehead then the centre of the chest then the left shoulder then the right shoulder? (aka the Sign of the Cross)?

Most people here are aware of the fact that if you make the facial gesture of smiling it tends to lift your mood even if you were initially a bit down or depressed. So certain gestures (kneeling, clasping the hands together, making the sign of the Cross) tend to put us in a prayerful mood. If the poster finds that certain yoga postures do the same, it doesn’t surprise me in the least.

 

[maxdouglas402]

I have to throw this out there.

I did my second yoga class yesterday because I have been so obsessed about giving it another try. Again, the class made me really focus my mind on the body. Even after the class was over. I felt like all day yesterday my mind was subconsciously or consciously focused on my posture, my leg position, my neck, or something else. As a Catholic, I honestly can’t help but notice the dangers of yoga. It is almost like the mind becomes a slave to the body, and every movement has to be correct.

I think that when there is heavy amounts of breathing in a certain yoga position the mind starts to really become aware of what the body is doing. The large amount of oxygen flow to the muscles during different poses, and the simultaneous large amount of oxygen flow to the brain causes your consciousness to change. Even if it is only slightly. Please be aware of this if you’re thinking about, or are practicing yoga. I know Im done.

 

[Michael_Mayo]

I have to throw this out there.

I did my second yoga class yesterday because I have been so obsessed about giving it another try. Again, the class made me really focus my mind on the body. Even after the class was over. I felt like all day yesterday my mind was subconsciously or consciously focused on my posture, my leg position, my neck, or something else. As a Catholic, I honestly can’t help but notice the dangers of yoga. It is almost like the mind becomes a slave to the body, and every movement has to be correct.

I think that when there is heavy amounts of breathing in a certain yoga position the mind starts to really become aware of what the body is doing. The large amount of oxygen flow to the muscles during different poses, and the simultaneous large amount of oxygen flow to the brain causes your consciousness to change. Even if it is only slightly. Please be aware of this if you’re thinking about, or are practicing yoga. I know Im done.

Why does consciousness of your body scare you so much?
Consciousness is a tool. You don’t have to obsess with it.
Being conscious of your body does not make you a slave to it.
Consciousness, awareness is a gift of God.
Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit why would you fear consciousness of it?

 

[Michael_Mayo]

The Church and the Scriptures teaches that there are no other methods to develop intimate relationship with God other than prayer.I agree that we can use our bodies in prayer, but in accordance with the Church teachings, we can do that through our ACTIONS, not through stretching of certain body parts.

So you never stretch beacuse it is not in Scripture or Church teaching?

 

[maxdouglas402]

Why does consciousness of your body scare you so much?
Consciousness is a tool. You don’t have to obsess with it.
Being conscious of your body does not make you a slave to it.
Consciousness, awareness is a gift of God.
Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit why would you fear consciousness of it?

I want my mind to be focused directly on the Holy Spirit. Not on the temple of the Holy Spirit.

 

[Lost_Wanderer]

I did my second yoga class yesterday because I have been so obsessed about giving it another try. Again, the class made me really focus my mind on the body. Even after the class was over. I felt like all day yesterday my mind was subconsciously or consciously focused on my posture, my leg position, my neck, or something else. As a Catholic, I honestly can’t help but notice the dangers of yoga. It is almost like the mind becomes a slave to the body, and every movement has to be correct.

Isn’t awareness of one’s own body actually an advantage? I should know. You wanna put all focus on the ‘Holy Spirit’? Switch with the religious version of me. You’ll know how dangerous it would be to have your head all the time up in the spiritual clouds. I can’t count how many times I’ve stepped on other people’s feet or bumped into walls because I couldn’t tell where my limbs were going.

 

[Michael_Mayo]

I want my mind to be focused directly on the Holy Spirit. Not on the temple of the Holy Spirit.

The Word became flesh.
Our God is incarnational.
God created us body AND spirit.

Even the great St Bonaventure, Doctor of the Church tells us that we start that Journey of the mind into God with what is right here in front of us.

So since one is first to ascend, rather than descend, Jacob’s ladder, let us situate
the first step at the bottom, by considering that we perceive this entire world as being
a mirror. Through this, we pass into God, the supreme creator, as true Hebrews,
passing over from Egypt into the land again and again promised to our ancestors,
as Christians, passing over with Christ from this world to the Father, and as lovers
of wisdom, which says to us, Pass over to me all who desire me and be fulfilled by my
generations, for by the beauty and the number of them can their Creator be seen .

 

[PCalungsod]

So the flexing of our knees so as our lower legs both touch the floor (aka kneeling) is not an action that has an effect on our prayer life? If not, why does the Church make that very action mandatory for certain portions of the Mass?

Or that other action - you know, the one where we slowly and mindfully bring the right hand first to the forehead then the centre of the chest then the left shoulder then the right shoulder? (aka the Sign of the Cross)?

Most people here are aware of the fact that if you make the facial gesture of smiling it tends to lift your mood even if you were initially a bit down or depressed. So certain gestures (kneeling, clasping the hands together, making the sign of the Cross) tend to put us in a prayerful mood. If the poster finds that certain yoga postures do the same, it doesn’t surprise me in the least.

But those actions are NOT condemned either by the Scripture or the Church. Yoga is, however condemned by the Church.

 

[PCalungsod]

So you never stretch beacuse it is not in Scripture or Church teaching?

The practice of yoga is an issue that partially touches matters of doctrine and faith. Exercise, does not.

 

[Lost_Wanderer]

The practice of yoga is an issue that partially touches matters of doctrine and faith. Exercise, is not.

Yoga is exercise.

 

[Michael_Mayo]

The practice of yoga is an issue that partially touches matters of doctrine and faith. Exercise, does not.

Yes, there is a philosophy that can go with the yoga and you can get into all that esooteric chakra Kundakini yadda yadda stuff. But you don’t have to. There are some good leg, back and arm stretches one can do. Some good twists and balances. It is natural. Don’t you stretch when you get up in the morning or when driving long distances. I drove 12 hours yesterday, stopped a few times to do some good stretches. Today I will be sure to align my back and stretch some more. Stretching relieves tension and helps us to be flexible, avoiding injuries.

 

[PCalungsod]

Yoga is exercise.

From what I read in the book written by Fr. Syquia and as said by Amorth, practicing Yoga, even just as an exercise is condemned. It may be an exercise, but look on its origin though and why it’s being done.

The first time I learned that yoga is deemned as demonic by the Church, I was like “wow, I think they’re just being exaggerated, it’s just an exercise.” But then again, if one will try to read the reasons, they have plenty of reasons why they do condemn yoga. We can’t choose what to believe and what not to believe in teachings of the Church. That, as I stated in an earlier post is “cafeteria type catholicism”. Pope Benedict XVI condemns that. If we believe the Church as an infallible guide, then follow all that it says. That is just my point.

 

[maxdouglas402]

body+mind+spirit= yoga
spirit+mind+body= a Christian philosophy

Bodily health is a great Grace from God, and that is not to be confused. The physical world that surrounds us can very well lead us to God, and maintaining our health to participate in the physical world is great!

The whole crux of the matter is…

Yoga turns the mind inward to the body. Regardless if it involves spiritual aspects or not. Yoga will always turn the mind toward the body, otherwise, you’re not doing yoga!.. (you’re stretching or strengthening or something different)

 

[PCalungsod]

Yes, there is a philosophy that can go with the yoga and you can get into all that esooteric chakra Kundakini yadda yadda stuff. But you don’t have to. There are some good leg, back and arm stretches one can do. Some good twists and balances. It is natural. Don’t you stretch when you get up in the morning or when driving long distances. I drove 12 hours yesterday, stopped a few times to do some good stretches. Today I will be sure to align my back and stretch some more. Stretching relieves tension and helps us to be flexible, avoiding injuries.

I know. I have done laughter yoga myself before (though it’s not really an exercise, but I guess that still count.), but then again, we cannot change what “The Faith” teaches.

 

[ValPal]

Here’s the deal. The Church AFAIK does not have an official document (from the CCC, cannon law, statement of the Pope) that condemns yoga DIRECTLY. HOWEVER, priests (exorcists) like Fr. Gabriel Amorth and Fr. Jose Francisco Syquia (ALL exorcists regard yoga as demonic; while other priests are neutral in a sense that they do not encourage or discourage this practice) DOES condemn yoga and says it’s demonic. What’s the deal then?

I have not read the documents. But I’d place a bet they that they refer to the Hindu aspect, and not the exercise aspect. Banning beneficial exercise is not something the Church is going to get into.

Furthermore, the position the priests take is simply their own position, not that of the Church. It is unlikely that the Church is going to take an official position that Hinduism is demonic. That is because that simply cuts of discussion and creates division with a large number of people who, in fact, are in a democratic country that tolerates Catholicism.

 

[maxdouglas402]

Furthermore, the position the priests take is simply their own position, not that of the Church. It is unlikely that the Church is going to take an official position that Hinduism is demonic.

Very true.

To say that it is a Church teaching is just not true.

 

[ValPal]

I want my mind to be focused directly on the Holy Spirit. Not on the temple of the Holy Spirit.

If you don’t take care of your temple, then it will collapse. Boddhidharma figured that one out 1,500 years when he saw legions of out-of-shape monks at Shaolin Temple. They couldn’t even stay awake while meditating because they were so out of shape.

There is nothing wrong with focusing on one’s body, and keeping it in shape. That’s simple respect for what God has given us.

 

[PCalungsod]

I have not read the documents. But I’d place a bet they that they refer to the Hindu aspect, and not the exercise aspect. Banning beneficial exercise is not something the Church is going to get into.

Furthermore, the position the priests take is simply their own position, not that of the Church. It is unlikely that the Church is going to take an official position that Hinduism is demonic. That is because that simply cuts of discussion and creates division with a large number of people who, in fact, are in a democratic country that tolerates Catholicism.

Having the copy of the book (that one of Syquia) it clearly says that “yoga- even if done just as an exercise can increase the chance for a person to be possessed.”

But then again, that is my basis as of why I am not with doing yoga. Then again, we all have certain positions with regards to this. Even in the usage of contraceptives, which is directly discouraged by the Church.

 

[PCalungsod]

Very true.

To say that it is a Church teaching is just not true.

To say either that a particular practice is allowed because the Church has not said anything official yet, is also not true.

 

[maxdouglas402]

If you don’t take care of your temple, then it will collapse. Boddhidharma figured that one out 1,500 years when he saw legions of out-of-shape monks at Shaolin Temple. They couldn’t even stay awake while meditating because they were so out of shape.

There is nothing wrong with focusing on one’s body, and keeping it in shape. That’s simple respect for what God has given us.

Again. Yoga always involves turning the mind inward to the body. Turning the mind to the body is not what we’re called to do as Catholics. Catholics are supposed to turn their mind to God.