Yoga - not just a benign exercise!

[Grateful_Soul]

I read a thread recently closed about yoga on this forum. What I didn’t find in any of the posts is why yoga is in opposition to our faith so I wanted to address that here.
Yoga positions are not exercises they are postitions of worship to hundreds of gods. Each yoga position is a posture of worship to one god and there are hundreds of gods that the eastern religion worships and therefore that is why there are hundreds of positions in yoga. It isn’t difficult to understand but for some reason we Catholics want to adopt these eastern religions and try to make them “Catholic”. You cannot adopt a position or posture of worship that was designed solely for the worship of some “god”. These are not exercises that are good for your body, they are a way to worship a false god with the body! There are lots of normal stretching exercises that are not postures of worship that are good for your body so therefore you really don’t even need to look for something else. And certainly not Yoga worship postures!!
Yoga is not something that a Catholic should practice because of it’s very nature of body worship to hundreds of false gods. No matter how many prayers you say, your body when assuming one of these postures is worshipping one of the false gods. That was and is the reason for each position.
Read this vatican document vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/interelg/documents/rc_pc_interelg_doc_20030203_new-age_en.html
Here you will find many of the New Age practices that have infiltrated our faith to the point that many don’t bat an eye of discernment to make certain that they are not putting their souls or the souls of their loved ones in spiritual danger. Read, learn, discern and renounce anything that is contrary to our Catholic faith no matter how much supposed “good” you think you are getting. Remember Satan can appear as an angel of light and he can heal but at what risk to your eternal soul???
Love to all in Christ Jesus our Lord,
Grateful Soul

 

[PatrickSebast]

Certainly if you do Yoga as a respect to these “gods” (and let me add in that the “many” gods of Hindu are actually believed to all be different aspects of the same god just to be fair to their faith) then it is sinful, but if you go to the YMCA and do yoga that has no mention of anything spiritual and simply involves listening to a woman in spandex telling you to control your breathing and hold some position for 10+ seconds then that is hardly the same thing. Sin is a matter of the heart, not a matter of pure action. If I am stretching and happen to unknowingly assume the position some culture on the other side of the world uses to worship something that is not a sin. Heck even if I know that the position is used in Hindu worship, but I find it a particularly effective and functional method of stretching then I still should not be forbidden from it because another group traditionally used it for something else. The question of sin should never be: “Are these positions sinful” but “Where is my heart while in these positions.”

Yoga has a very secular form and I assure you those partaking in that form are not reflecting on Hindu Gods. And while I certainly can see how yoga classes would lead to an occasion of sin for some male participants I don’t think that the sin would have anything to do with Shiva or her compatriots.

 

[JesuXPIPassio]

Yoga has a very secular form and I assure you those partaking in that form are not reflecting on Hindu Gods. And while I certainly can see how yoga classes would lead to an occasion of sin for some male participants I don’t think that the sin would have anything to do with Shiva or her compatriots.

I agree with that.

I think the problem with yoga isn’t so much because their positions are meant to worship the Hindu gods because people in the West who do yoga don’t know or care about that. I do yoga as part of an exercise regimen and frankly I don’t care about Hinduism (or any other religion outside Catholicism, Orthodoxy or Judaism). I’m a Christian Studies major and I had to take a class on Buddhism, and I just wanted it to end the whole time because I so didn’t care and I didn’t think it was worth the time. I know this isn’t very ecumenical of me, but I feel the same about Hinduism.

That being said, I think the problem with yoga is that it’s a sort of gateway into paganism. People get into yoga, it gets them interested in where it came from, then they could be seduced into believing in those gods. But if you’re smart enough not to let your philosophies be blown every way that the random wind commands, this won’t be a problem with you.

I think we could liken it to Harry Potter. Is Harry Potter essentially bad? Not necessarily. Certainly there are some ethical problems in the story (spoiler alert, Dumbledore gets euthanised), but Harry Potter isn’t a sure way into witchcraft. And, in fact, you could find good spirituality in some aspects of the book (the phoenix and the great serpent sounds awfully familiar). The problem lies in that kids could get an interest in witchcraft from it.

Another danger with flirting with Yoga without restraint is that it could end up muddling Christianity. People could get into Hinduism then somehow demand that Christianity adopt some of its principles (the loudmouth malcontented type who really don’t know anything, we all have seen that type).

But, yeah, the danger in it is how you take yoga, not yoga in and of itself. A good Catholic could go yoga just for health reasons or whatever, as long as you’re wise enough not to be seduced into believing whatever. I mean, just because I wear a white shirt with a necktie, it doesn’t make me a Mormon – it just makes me a geek. But, Yoga is indeed dangerous to a lot of people who just aren’t anchored well in Christianity, and they should be hinged in Christ but aren’t hinged on anything making them so susceptible to blowing around like trash, so I can see the point in cautioning people about it because we have a duty to educate others.

 

[rwoehmke]

Its not the positions of Yoga or Pilates that are sinful, but rather the “patter” about shakras and other spiritual dreck that one hears from some of the instructors. That stuff sometimes gets into the patter even at places as secular as present day YMCAs.

 

[Eliza10]

I really like Yoga. I love the stretching, the pace, the challenge. The last yoga classes I took were pregnancy yoga classes. The classes took place in a beautifully restored carriage house among the gardens on the grounds of a lovely old mansion. The upstairs yoga room featured a large Budda statue in an altar-like setting, which we all faced, and a giant brass gong. I wasn’t comfortable with that, but, I decided to ignore the negatives and focus on the stretches.

But since then I have made a decision to avoid yoga, because solid Catholic sources who are speaking from a place of knowledge firmly advise avoiding it. Johnette Benkovich and Sharon Lee Giganti are two I can think of off the top of my head, but there is more. They are voices I know I can trust to not make a quick or uninformed judgement on the matter. If you have an inclination to this type of excercise, Johnette says, why not Ballet? Which is a great idea. If anyone knows of any ballet or modern dance workout tapes, place let me know! I have Pilates tapes. Pilates is another good alternative to yoga, and its not hard to find Pilates tapes and classes.

So its not easy to give up something you like and that is so readily available as well as culturally (and medically!) approved. But its a small sacrifice in the end. If you are fighting this (and I do understand, as I like yoga) I have to wonder what else you are fighting that the Catholic Church teaches. There are harder things to give up than yoga, things that our culture also promotes and approves of.

 

[dconklin]

Real yoga schools/centers crank the heat up. Kind of hellish.

For something to be wrong, the intent has to be there. I do not think the YMChristianA would allow something anti-God to be in their facilities. Yoga seems like a it would be very conducive to prayer, unlike aerobics. Do they still offer aerobics?

 

[faithfully]

It’s only been in the last few days that I’ve even heard such an association to yoga. I’ve practiced Yoga off and on for over 20 years. My background is ballet. Yoga, happens to be very complimentary to ballet as you work the muscular structures in an opposite fashion than you would ballet. Which is good to maintain balanced strength in the body. Ballet, for example has you working your legs generally in a turned out position from the hip. Yoga, parallel.

You would refer to the mountain pose in Yoga, Or perhaps just correct posture for standing straight in plain old English.

In fact, I think with many of the yoga poses, you could soften the arms, turn out the hips, and feet, and easily be able to identify a ballet position.

Pilates was developed by Joseph Pilates to overcome his physical ailments. He developed his own workout. Many positions that are quite similar to Yoga. And to the best of my knowledge, Pilates is used strictly in the sense of a body workout. Nothing more.

I have a problem with statements that say, that by doing yoga you worship these other gods… As if they even exist. What the Hindus believe in is completely irrelevant. Because as a Catholic, I know they are wrong. No??? Do they believe in evil spirits then? Hmmm… I don’t think they beleive so. They think they believe in a HOLY power… so as misguided as that is… They, from my Catholic perspective, beleive in nothing that actually exists. And NOTHING should have zero impact on my body or soul.

Now, If they practice their method, with chants directed to invite some sort of spirit… Well, that sounds very Ouji board like to me. Something that we just don’t do. THAT sounds like an invitation to any spirit, good or bad, to drop on in. Not good.

However, I can say that I’ve held my hands in a position similar to the way you would hold the triangular pc. of a Ouji board while getting a manicure. And I just don’t feel it’s the same thing. I might even close my eyes, and zone out while getting my manicure.Heck, I might have even posed a question to my manicurist Asking for a yes, or no.

I just don’t understand how these positions are dangerous. And IF they are dangerous, it’s NOT because of Yoga, and the intentions of the creators of Yoga, they are dangerous by their very nature…

So, then that leads me to wonder about standing straight up and down, with my feet planted firmly in a parallel position while breathing to take note of my spinal muscles. Helping them relax. Or What about lying flat on your back? What about bending over and touching your toes, allowing your head to drop? (so that you stretch your entire back side, from your ankles to the base of your neck? Should standing straight, and lying flat on your back, positions that are both somewhat “surrendor” like be avoided by the Catholic? I feel that we are reaching here.

I will also state, that I find yoga to be quite calming. I have practiced outside a few times. And I must say,usually in a beautiful environment, and I always feel: Wow, look at how blessed I am. Look at God’s creations around me. Energized!

 

[Eliza10]

Real yoga schools/centers crank the heat up. Kind of hellish.

In spite of their Budda altar, the class I took could have been at the Y, as far as the spirituality imparted.

For something to be wrong, the intent has to be there.

There is truth to this statement. However, if you have been told that Catholics should avoid yoga, by sources you know can likely be trusted, and you decide to either ignore them off hand or choose not use your God-given intelligence to check into their claims further to see if there is any godly truth in it, then it seems you have some accountability there. But, only God knows the heart.

I do not think the YMChristianA would allow something anti-God to be in their facilities. …

A college teacher once said that all organizations soon lose their original purpose and adopt the new purpose of perpetuating themselves (this “rule of organizations” is stated in a clever phaseology which I do not remember). Likewise I think its safe to say that the purposes of the orginal “YMChristianA” have certainly evolved from the original mission. I think they are even thinking of dropping the name “Christian” from their title - it was in the news recently. (Hmm - I wonder who is behind that?)

 

[John7]

I’d steer clear from Kundalini yoga…trying to awaken / arouse the serpent power through one’s muladhara chakra.

see:kundaliniyoga.org/serpent.html

 

[kozlosap]

The last time I went to mass at the Cathedral of the Holy Name in Chicago they were advertising their own yoga class! Yoga is excellent for strengthening back muscles. It’s also a wonderful time to pray the Rosary! You have to keep count in your mind, but that is also a strengthening experience!

 

[PatriceA]

In spite of their Budda altar, the class I took could have been at the Y, as far as the spirituality imparted.

There is truth to this statement. However, if you have been told that Catholics should avoid yoga, by sources you know can likely be trusted, and you decide to either ignore them off hand or choose not use your God-given intelligence to check into their claims further to see if there is any godly truth in it, then it seems you have some accountability there. But, only God knows the heart.

A college teacher once said that all organizations soon lose their original purpose and adopt the new purpose of perpetuating themselves (this “rule of organizations” is stated in a clever phaseology which I do not remember). Likewise I think its safe to say that the purposes of the orginal “YMChristianA” have certainly evolved from the original mission. I think they are even thinking of dropping the name “Christian” from their title - it was in the news recently. (Hmm - I wonder who is behind that?)

Not at my local Y, there are Christian symbols all over the building. Prayers before every swim meet my daughter is involved with. Prayer breakfasts every month, etc, etc.

And the lady that teaches the yoga class teaches the pilates class and any stretching class in general. She is also head of the RE at my parish. I don’t think she’s trying to do anything more than getting my body to move in ways that it hasn’t for a long time and helps my general health.

I think its unwise to say Yoga is ALWAYS wrong for a Catholic to do.

 

[faithfully]

A college teacher once said that all organizations soon lose their original purpose and adopt the new purpose of perpetuating themselves (this “rule of organizations” is stated in a clever phaseology which I do not remember). Likewise I think its safe to say that the purposes of the orginal “YMChristianA” have certainly evolved from the original mission. I think they are even thinking of dropping the name “Christian” from their title - it was in the news recently. (Hmm - I wonder who is behind that?)

Which makes me think it’s very easy to come to the conclusion that Yoga may have evolved to just an exercise… and lost it’s original mission… (at least in the Western Sphere.)

Good to note it’s otherwise spiritual connections…

 

[SecretBeliever]

I’d steer clear from Kundalini yoga…trying to awaken / arouse the serpent power through one’s muladhara chakra.

see:kundaliniyoga.org/serpent.html

Hm, that’s the type of yoga I used to do, and in fact have been considering getting DVDs to do it again! BUT…I was definitely away from the church when I did it, in fact I considered myself Buddhist. Yep, I’ve been one misguided individual. I could see why Kundalini in particular would not be suitable for Catholics.

Anyway, I now have the DVDs of Namaste Yoga (as seen on Fit TV) and a couple other yoga DVDs. I don’t see them as harming my faith but I’m not looking beyond what they’re teaching physically. I can’t do anything like ballet, but I could try Pilates if the -]consensus is/-] I should say, the Church says “don’t do yoga no matter what”.

 

[IHeartAquinas]

A simple note in regards to the OP,

Offhandedly disregarding something because it is associated with non-Catholic worship would mean that the misappropriation of the Rosary and the Crucifix by gothy teenagers and their brand new spiritual vampirism would require Catholics to abandon those long-time and well-loved symbols of our faith.

Now, if the Church came out and said it was absolutely forbidden for a Catholic to practice yoga, the story changes a little. But the basic argument of the OP is deeply flawed both logically and philosophically.

 

[Stylites]

I’d steer clear from Kundalini yoga…trying to awaken / arouse the serpent power through one’s muladhara chakra.

see:kundaliniyoga.org/serpent.html

Maybe you should.

 

[Stylites]

Now, if the Church came out and said it was absolutely forbidden for a Catholic to practice yoga, the story changes a little. But the basic argument of the OP is deeply flawed both logically and philosophically.

Agreed.

 

[Eliza10]

And the lady that teaches the yoga class teaches the pilates class and any stretching class in general. She is also head of the RE at my parish. I don’t think she’s trying to do anything more than getting my body to move in ways that it hasn’t for a long time and helps my general health…

I can see what you see. Its seems obvious to me also that most/many of the Y yoga teachers, and the “Cathedral” yoga teachers are not involved in any kind of conspiracy to get Hindu demons in our mind. Like you say,they are focused on the physicality of the discipline. There is most likely nothing hidden in their agendas! All of this is true!

However, what about Johnette Benkovich? She says it is not something Catholics should be doing. She is not uninformed,. She is not naive. She also sees what you see, however, she says even Y yoga is not for Catholics. What about Sharon Lee Giganti, who knows all about yoga - she also says even Y yoga by instructors by such as yours is to be avoided by Catholics.

So who are you going to listen to? Your lodcal Catholic aquaitences, who like you are going by “what seems to me”? Or to devout and informed Catholic experts? The former seems foolish, the latter wise.

I can only assume you are just ignoring these reputable Catholics, and those of us who refer to them here at CAF. And also I can only assume you also ignore the articles on this website by Catholic Answers, thinking they have nothing to offer you about Catholic teaching on the matter, and aren’t worth your serious consideration. And that you prefer going by what is before your own eyes and using your very own judgement of whatyou see instead.

Is your head in the sand because you don’t want to hear this, as, you like yoga? Just asking.

I think its unwise to say Yoga is ALWAYS wrong for a Catholic to do.

I think its unwise not to consider what those who are older, wiser and/or holier than you are saying about a thing.

 

[Eliza10]

Which makes me think it’s very easy to come to the conclusion that Yoga may have evolved to just an exercise… and lost it’s original mission… (at least in the Western Sphere.)…

Interesting and plausible supposition. However, that is not the only thing to go by. What about ignoring those who are older, wiser, and/or holier than you, because you’d prefer to stick with what seems right to you? That’s not wise.

And, IHeartAquinas, The Church does not generally come right out and say what hobbies we may or may not partake of; we shouldn’t hold our breath for that. However, God will hold us accountable for making wise choices, and He will hold us accountable for willfully putting our head in the sand, if that’s what we have done.

 

[Garyjohn2]

Kneeling is the posture for ancestor worship in traditional Chinese religion. Does that mean we shouldn’t kneel either?

You are right, however, that Yoga not just a benign excersize. It is also an amazing meditation, and can be a source of spiritual renewal. I’m talking about Christian spirit here!

Also, we shouldn’t dismiss talks of “chakras” as dangerous pagan patter. Who is to say by what means God has tethered our souls to our bodies? Chakra’s are not incompatible with Christian worship, or Catholic spiritualism.

Lets not dismiss things our of hand because they are eastern, or strang to us…or even if they can be a part of pagan worship. Christmas trees were pagan at one point too, like many, many, many other things. Yoga just might be exactly what we need in this “sit-down” culture we live in. I know that prayer alone has not yet helped my ailing lower-back, so thank God for yoga, for our wonderful bodies, and for all the different ways we can keep them wholesome and healthy.

 

[faithfully]

Interesting and plausible supposition. However, that is not the only thing to go by. What about ignoring those who are older, wiser, and/or holier than you, because you’d prefer to stick with what seems right to you? That’s not wise.

And, IHeartAquinas, The Church does not generally come right out and say what hobbies we may or may not partake of; we shouldn’t hold our breath for that. However, God will hold us accountable for making wise choices, and He will hold us accountable for willfully putting our head in the sand, if that’s what we have done.

I do think it’s really important to realize that much can be taken from ANYTHING, and twisted into something that it is not… So, to me, in the same way, that yoga is simply an exercise. I suspect that Hindus would claim that we do NOT practice a REAL yoga, nor does anything that your average Westerner does have anything to do with their religion. I mean, don’t we as Catholics look at all other Christian practices and say it’s NO WHERE NEAR CLOSE to what we do and believe. In fact, we have a little tendancy to catagorize catholics… to say… “older, wiser, and holier”… Even in some minds, Catholics aren’t doing a good job being Catholics. so, I’m just wondering… if that’s a reality here… then I don’t think you can say Western Yoga, as most here, at least, claim to practice, is the real Hindu deal. Not without a total submersion in the study and prayers and what not…

If it is however, a dangerous practice, then I think we really need to be worried… Because there are many body poses that we all assume… We just don’t give them yoga terms… But, if Yoga is so powerful, then I doubt it matters what you call it… it’s yoga… right??? So, then, it’s not safe to sleep on your back? Or rest on your back? This is a closing yoga pose to most any practice. Same as closing the end of your day. And it’s not safe to stand firmly, 2 feet on the ground. Mountain Pose… often used at the start of the day… and practice of yoga. And I ask, 'cause I always have MUCH to learn.

I don’t take this discussion lightly… I will talk with my priest, who is regularly talking with our Bishop, and I personally will go from there.