Yoga and Monasticism

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jasonpauldegraa

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Hello everyone,

I’m new to the forums and am very curious if any catholic monasteries practice yoga, either in the East or here in the States?

Thanks, -JPD
 
I would hope not! Yoga is a Hindu religious practice. While I believe perhaps the exercises of yoga are permitted on the sole basis of their physical merit, the spiritual part of it is just as condemned as tarot cards or fortune tellers. Not entirely sure, though.

God bless.
 
jasonpauldegraa said:
Hello everyone,

I’m new to the forums and am very curious if any catholic monasteries practice yoga, either in the East or here in the States?

Thanks, -JPD
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Unfortunately, pretty much every yoga class I’ve encountered mixes in Eastern religion. The exercises in & of themselves shouldn’t be an issue-if you could find an instructor who can separate them from Hinduism. All that stretching must be beneficial for your body-just not the Eastern philosophy part of yoga.
 
Thanks everyone,

I’ve sent emails out to a lot of monasteries. Though no monastery has a consistent physical discipline outside of manual labor, many have spoken of individual monks who pursue it in their spare time.

Thanks!
 
I live next door (across the road) from a Meditation Center. The folks there are very nice and open about their practices. It was explained to me that Eastern Meditation is very different form Christian Meditation. In fact most, but not all, practioners of Eastern Meditation are ex- Christians. In essence it denies the existance of God so therefore you don’t have to deal with Him. Just remove all thoughts from your mind. They claim it is very restful but like I pointed out to them, so is death.

Try St. Ignatius’ Spiritual Exercises. Much safer and far more fruitful.
 
corsair said:
I live next door (across the road) from a Meditation Center. The folks there are very nice and open about their practices. It was explained to me that Eastern Meditation is very different form Christian Meditation. In fact most, but not all, practioners of Eastern Meditation are ex- Christians. In essence it denies the existance of God so therefore you don’t have to deal with Him. Just remove all thoughts from your mind. They claim it is very restful but like I pointed out to them, so is death.

Try St. Ignatius’ Spiritual Exercises. Much safer and far more fruitful.
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👍👍
We had an article in the local paper recently about a yoga teacher.She burned incense in front of a Hindu deity & described herself as a former Catholic.But said yoga was religiously neutral.Right…
 
Thank you all for your responses.

A catholic monastery just got in touch with me who has a Friar who not only practices yoga but has also written a book about his experience with Christianity and yoga. It’s in Kansas and is supported by the local Archdiocese. I’m considering his invitation to come and stay there for a while.

Again, thank you all. You’ve been most helpful, -JPD
 
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