Is yoga demonic or no?

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Another good one that I got from a pro-yoga site:
I would never tell my hatha yoga students that “Yoga is not a religion.” The word ‘yoga’ means ‘to yoke’ or ‘unite’, and it is synonymous with the Greek word ‘religos’ and the English word ‘religion’, both of which mean to ‘reunite’. Patanjali’s “Yoga Sutras” says very little about asanas and a great deal about philosophy, attitude, self-insight, and behavior.
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Evania said:
As Hindus who live the Yogic lifestyle, we appreciate when others understand that all of Yoga is all about the Hindu religion. Modern so-called ‘yoga’ is dishonest to Hindus and to all non-Hindus such as the Christians."
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And this can mean many things, Vaishnavism, Shaivism, Shaktism, and Smartism. These four denominations may share rituals, beliefs, and traditions, but each denomination has a different philosophy.

So what? Yoga may be a practice from Hinduism but one does not have to be Hindu to practice yoga.

How about we call it “Yoke of” as in *yoke of *Jesus. Still a problem?

Matthew 11:28-30
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

How is Yoga difference from burning incense?

The earliest documented instance of incense utilization comes from the ancient Chinese, who employed incense composed of herbs and plant products (such as cassia, cinnamon, styrax, sandalwood, amongst others) as a component of numerous formalized ceremonial rites. Eventually, the Hindus adopted the use of incense from the Chinese, adapting the inherited formulation to encompass aromatic roots and other indigenous flora.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Incense
 
Evania said:
Another good one that I got from a pro-yoga site:
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Thanks for an official Church reference!😃

To counter, I can posts all sorts of references to websites, videos, etc. from Catholics and Christian who have adapted the spiritual practice into a specifically Catholic/Christian nature.

For a Catholic source, with references:

ewtn.com/vexperts/showmessage.asp?number=318316

First sentence:
The Church distinguishes between physical postures and the philosophy or religion underlying them (cf: Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, On Some Aspects of Christian Meditation).
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BTW, why do you continually ignore my references to the Anjali mudra which is used by all in prayer in Mass??? If you can’t separate the posture from the system, then all Catholic are worshipping Hindu deities in Church.
 
abirwarriorarts.com/en

Note that this reputed ancient Israeli fighting system has movements very similar (Buddhist) Chuan Fa. Does this mean since the movements can’t be separated from the practice, that Israelis practicing Abir are worshiping Buddha???
 
That is amazing. Have you practiced it?

Psalm 144:1 Praise be to the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle.
 
Michael_Mayo said:
That is amazing. Have you practiced it?
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Nope, simply because there is nobody around here that teaches it. I would take it up in an instant if it was taught around here. However, the general flow and attacks are very similar to what we do (traditional Chinese martial arts). There are some definite differences though…for instance, that cross-grab across the neck is something we don’t do (and personally something I wouldn’t do…to much commitment to an attack while dramatically limiting the defense).
 
And can we please get beyond this pejorative view of all non-Christian religions as demonic?

839 “Those who have not yet received the Gospel are related to the People of God in various ways.”

842 The Church’s bond with non-Christian religions is in the first place the common origin and end of the human race:

843 The Catholic Church recognizes in other religions that search, among shadows and images, for the God who is unknown yet near since he gives life and breath and all things and wants all men to be saved. Thus, the Church considers all goodness and truth found in these religions as “a preparation for the Gospel and given by him who enlightens all men that they may at length have life.”

vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P29.HTM

One key point of intersection between the Christian mystical tradition and Vaishnava Hinduism identified by the group is precisely the shared belief that the mystery of God is hidden but, paradoxically, that hiddenness is perceivable in creation as a mysterious presence that instigates a yearning in the human knower, especially as one encounters, or rather is encountered by beauty in creation. For both Hindus and Christians, creation holds a great secret—the presence of a passionate God, a God who is the hidden love poured forth into creaturely being and that, by means of creation, reaches out as it were to man who is both gifted to perceive this “presence” and beckoned to return this love to God.
usccb.org/news/2012/12-069.cfm

“For both traditions, I think there’s a fair bit of misunderstanding among lay believers and certainly among clergy as well,” said University of Calgary religious studies professor Tinu Ruparell from the Hindu side of the dialogue. “Any chance we have to bust a few myths and further understanding, and also to further some mutual interests, is always a good thing.”
catholicregister.org/news/canada/item/15823-catholic-hindu-dialogue-opens
  1. Throughout history, to the present day, there is found among different peoples a certain
    awareness of a hidden power, which lies behind the course of nature and the events of
    human life. At times, there is present even a recognition of a supreme being, or still more of a
    Father. This awareness and recognition results in a way of life that is imbued with a deep
    religious sense. The religions which are found in more advanced civilizations endeavor by
    way of well-defined concepts and exact language to answer these questions. Thus, in
    Hinduism people explore the divine mystery and express it both in the limitless riches of myth
    and the accurately defined insights of philosophy. They seek release from the trials of the
    present life by ascetical practices, profound meditation and recourse to God in confidence
    and love.
vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_decl_19651028_nostra-aetate_en.html
 
Hi everyone,

I awoke this morning refreshed and excited with the intent to reply back with the information I discovered last night. Then I made the decision to pray about it before I did…

I had a distinct feeling that Our Lord doesn’t want me to be drawn into this discussion anymore. I feel that it is pointless…Yes. I have the answers that you seek. However, what good is it when you have information, but you are talking to those who do not want to hear?

To those of you who have privately messaged me, I would like to state this publicly. I’m happy for the ones who have stated that they are stopping yoga. I suggest that you message Holy Trinity if you have further questions.

To Mike Mayo and Warrior Monk,

Despite the differences of opinion, thanks for still being respectful.

God Bless!
 
Well, it looks like now we won’t get to 1,000 posts, so the thread won’t be shut down. 😃

I just finish up with a short summary. At the most basic level, I am making the assumption that God does not create that which is inherently evil. With that assumption, it follows that breathing, postures, or anything else are inherently evil, otherwise that means that God created evil. It takes the action of man (intent) to turn that which is good into evil. And because man takes something that is inherently good and uses it for evil does not mean that “something” is forevermore inherently evil. It cannot be.
 
I think you mean:

I just finish up with a short summary. At the most basic level, I am making the assumption that God does not create that which is inherently evil. With that assumption, it follows that breathing, postures, or anything else are **not **inherently evil, otherwise that means that God created evil. It takes the action of man (intent) to turn that which is good into evil. And because man takes something that is inherently good and uses it for evil does not mean that “something” is forevermore inherently evil. It cannot be.
 
I am a devout Catholic and I have been doing Yoga for three years. I also know many other Catholics who practice. I can’t see why yoga is bad, even in a spiritual sense. Sin is everywhere, and we are constantly being tempted. Everyday we practice strength from not falling into those temptations, so why should yoga be any different? If you just want to do the poses and not agree with their teachings, then it’s easy. I just do it for the good stretches and health it gives me, it doesn’t mean someone is forcing their fake religion down my neck, I just don’t listen to it. Easy as pie.

Enjoy your yoga.
 
Same with halloween. Obviously it is fake and I don’t believe in its demonic influences, so I still partake and have fun, because I KNOW it’s fake.
 
Just as Positive Reinforcement is a proven method of child discipline that works far better than nagging and punishment, so yoga is a method of building. You can also visit about Yoga for Weightloss for more information.
 
I would say stay away from it. There are people who say it is possible to do yoga without the spiritual aspect of it (which one should definitely stay away from.) So that’s the real question, can the physical and spiritual aspects of yoga be separated?
 
If you put your hands together in prayer, that is a mudra. So if you believe that it can’ be separated, then you can’t put your hands together in prayer.

People think that yoga exercises only include “strange” twisted positions. It also includes common positions (which people conveniently don’t mention).
 
lilymc said:
I would say stay away from it. There are people who say it is possible to do yoga without the spiritual aspect of it (which one should definitely stay away from.) So that’s the real question, can the physical and spiritual aspects of yoga be separated?
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TheWarriorMonk said:
If you put your hands together in prayer, that is a mudra. So if you believe that it can’ be separated, then you can’t put your hands together in prayer.

People think that yoga exercises only include “strange” twisted positions. It also includes common positions (which people conveniently don’t mention).
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Doing the exercises grouped under the heading ‘yoga’ on my WiiFit (as opposed to the ones under the heading ‘muscle’ or ‘aerobic’) the past couple of days, I listened carefully to the instructions. There is no strange music playing, nor any ‘spiritual’ message or content at all. Maybe some of the names could make people feel uneasy, ‘half moon’, ‘sun salutation’, ‘downward facing dog’, ‘the warrior’ yet each of those focuses on strengthening some part of the body: balance and waist stretching and toning, touching your toes, stretching your back, toning thighs, and breathing deeply - now please tell me what is wrong with any of those exercises. There is really no spiritual content to the exercises at all. If there was you wouldn’t see me for dust.

When I do the muscle exercise called ‘jack knife’ will that subliminally turn me into a gangster?
 
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