CreepyCrawler Posted September 10, 2004 Posted September 10, 2004 Hey I am just wondering if taking yoga classes is not a good idea. I don't think it would be a sin since it's not like I'm worshipping anyone other than Jesus, but I have my qualms. I went for a drop in class when my sister was visiting from Canada (she's a yoga instructor) and the place had a picture of Krishna (I think it was Krishna -- Hindu god, six arms, blue) by the door and the room where we did yoga was just very empty and purple. The poses we did were a good workout and very peaceful (which is why I'm interested in signing up for lessons now) but at the end during the relaxation period, I got this funny feeling when she was chanting, I don't even know what she was saying, but I prayed the Our Father instead of 'meditating.' It all seems very new-age-y but it could just be me. Do you think there's any harm in doing yoga as exercise at this place?
Phazzan Posted September 10, 2004 Posted September 10, 2004 There's like the Yoga you do for relaxation and the other Yoga you do for meditation. The Yoga you do for relaxation isn't a sin, but the Yoga you do for meditation is. Like some people do it so they can learn to avoid temptation better, but they're doing it without God's grace, and that's mortal.
FutureSoror Posted September 10, 2004 Posted September 10, 2004 Yes, Yoga is kind of a 'religion'. I'm not sure how serious it is, but I wouldn't get involved in it, personally.
Iacobus Posted September 10, 2004 Posted September 10, 2004 Most of the time Yoga is completemeted by some religion stuff. Yoga, per se is not a religion. If you do yoga in a purely secelaur form (i.e. like running as a workout) inorder to build strenght or flexabilty I see nothing wrong with it. The danger comes with the whole "karama (sp?)" and religion starts to mix in.
CreepyCrawler Posted September 10, 2004 Author Posted September 10, 2004 well what if i just wanted the workout and prayed silently during 'meditation time' -- is that wrong or am i still participating somewhat in an 'iffy' practice?
shelly_freak Posted September 10, 2004 Posted September 10, 2004 I can't see how that would be bad. I mean you're not taking part in the religious side of it so I'd say yes, yoga is a great workout.
Iacobus Posted September 10, 2004 Posted September 10, 2004 I see nothing wrong with it. I did yoga for some time, lol. I needed to work on my flexabilty. I can almost touch my shins now! LOL!
Piccoli Fiori JMJ Posted September 10, 2004 Posted September 10, 2004 I took a yoga class once. There was no chanting, it was very basic and non-religious in any way... But I was once reading about a book by an Irish Priest who is saying how we can use Eastern Meditation Techniques in our own Catholic Prayer Life. I didn't get very far, but it is kinda interesting... I also have another book called "Zen Driving: Be a Buddah behind the wheel"... I haven't even gotten to that one yet... It sounded funny, so I bought it...
geetarplayer Posted September 10, 2004 Posted September 10, 2004 My mother is a yoga teacher, and she's Catholic. Then again, her yoga is more dance-oriented, so it isn't truly yoga. But she does meditate. As for yoga, I don't think it in itself is a sin. The type you are describing, however, could be dangerous... I'm referring to the chanting and the Hindu statue. My mother has yoga tapes that are very secular and not as new-age religious. Just a thought. -Mark
AfroNova No Limit Soldier Posted September 10, 2004 Posted September 10, 2004 WHOA Using Eastern Meditation Techniques in Catholic prayer is a sin. [url="http://www.ourladyswarriors.org/dissent/centerprayer.htm"]http://www.ourladyswarriors.org/dissent/centerprayer.htm[/url] [url="http://www.catholicculture.org/docs/doc_view.cfm?recnum=234"]http://www.catholicculture.org/docs/doc_view.cfm?recnum=234[/url] Please read these. Whatever Irish priest said that Eastern Meditation Techniques can be used is wrong. These techniques are inherently wrong. Please read these articles. Creepycrawler, your Yoga buddies (yogis) are inviting evil spirits. Unless you are strong enough to battle them, don't expose yourself to evil! Don't give the devil a foothold. Remember St. Paul says in the Bible that we should always avoid evil & strive for good. You said you had a "funny feeling" at the end of class. Follow your gut instinct. Do whatever God is calling you to do. FIAT VOLUNTAS TUA I would definitely 1. Pray for those yogis (God brought you there for a purpose) 2. Try to find another yoga class that isn't taught by someone who worships another god 3. Try Pilates (it's just like yoga) And now it is 3 o'clock. Time to say Divine Mercy.
picchick Posted September 10, 2004 Posted September 10, 2004 I have to say this. Excellent job Phazzan!! My friend does pilates. It is almost like yoga only you hold the positions longer and it is for alot of sports orientated stuff. You can even get videos if you'd like. Sounds like fun to me.
Carnanc Posted September 10, 2004 Posted September 10, 2004 I don't know. I think its debatable if you can seperate the hindu spirituality from yoga and do only the exercises. I know if you ask many yoga instructers they will often seen things from a spiritual angle. I have been very hesitant to try yoga, so I don't know. if you can keep the exercises seperate from the spirtual aspect, it may be ok.
picchick Posted September 10, 2004 Posted September 10, 2004 yeh i think that you can seperate it if you are taking yoga only for exercise benfits. But I will say that it is going to be hard to separate the two when you have a yoga instructor who is into the spiritual part of it. Slowly you will become immune to it until the wrongness of it is numb.
zwergel88 Posted September 10, 2004 Posted September 10, 2004 it helps to find out which type of yoga the class is based on... Kundalini yoga = bad, based on Sikism (sp) and Eastern spirituallity Hatha yoga = good, just excersise, no chanting or anything
musturde Posted September 10, 2004 Posted September 10, 2004 Ewtn had a show that was against it. It called it a New Age thingy...even the stances used in yoga represent pagan gods but Im not too sure if I can say yes or no to it... to be safe, I'd not do it....
littleflower+JMJ Posted September 10, 2004 Posted September 10, 2004 i did alittle bit of yoga when i was in aerobics and it freaked me out. the music and whole shabang....... anything that tries to get you to connect and talk to your leg when stretching it... is freaky!!! sorry i dont need to talk to someting that is already part of me....LOL
littleflower+JMJ Posted September 10, 2004 Posted September 10, 2004 [quote name='musturde' date='Sep 10 2004, 05:54 PM'] Ewtn had a show that was against it. It called it a New Age thingy...even the stances used in yoga represent pagan gods but Im not too sure if I can say yes or no to it... to be safe, I'd not do it.... [/quote] ooooh find the link or ask on the EWTN Q and A board! but i think your right mustard!
Lil Red Posted September 10, 2004 Posted September 10, 2004 i went to a yoga class once at 24Hour Fitness with my sister. i really liked it, but it wasn't anything like you are describing, creepy. but i've heard pilates is really awesome!
musturde Posted September 10, 2004 Posted September 10, 2004 Well Ewtn had a show on the New Age and they talked about Yoga. The whole show wasnt dedicated to Yoga. Sorry if I made it seem that wayl... I'll find some kind of info from their site about it.
musturde Posted September 10, 2004 Posted September 10, 2004 [quote]introduction to yoga Question from ewa verhoven on 03-02-2004: For some few months our parish bulletin is publicizing this kind of announcement "Introduction to yoga - for beginning, intermediate and advanced Hatha Yoga and Iyengar techniques - for your wellness and stress relief - your teacher has found Yoga to be a tool for healing for the body, mind and spirit" I wonder if this practices are in accordance with our Christian spirituality and should be advetrised in a church bulletin ?/I know my question is not a scripture question but I need some help and other forums are busy/ thank you in advance Ewa V[/quote] [quote]Answer by David Gregson on 04-23-2004: It seems you've made the rounds of our Q&A Forums with this question. As has already been pointed out, it is possible to do Yoga exercises without espousing its doctrine, but the claim that Yoga has no doctrine of its own is either disingenuous or ignorant. Yoga instructors too often don't know or care when Yogic presuppositions (e.g., on the nature of the soul) slip out in course of their instruction. For a parish to sponsor a Yoga program is to suggest that there is no incompatibility between what Yogis believe and what the Church teaches. If you do a word search on "Yoga" in these two documents from the Holy See, Letter to the Bishops of the Catholic Church on Some Aspects of Christian Meditation, and Jesus Christ, the Bearer of the Water of Life, you'll see that Rome puts Yoga in a category with other Eastern doctrines which are not compatible with the Catholic Faith. Since you've already addressed your concerns to you Pastor, your next step would be to address them to your Bishop.[/quote] [url="http://www.ewtn.com/vexperts/showresult.asp?RecNum=395106&Forums=0&Experts=0&Days=3000&Author=&Keyword=Yoga&pgnu=1&groupnum=0"]http://www.ewtn.com/vexperts/showresult.as...nu=1&groupnum=0[/url] [quote]YOGA Question from MARCHELL MERKEL on 02-07-2002: I AM WONDERING ABOUT YOGA BEING TAUGHT IN OUR CATHOLIC SCHOOL. I REMEMBER SEEING A JOURNEY HOME PROGRAM ABOUT THE NEW AGE RELIGION AND THE GUEST ALSO MENTIONED YOGA MEDITATIONS AS BEING ANTI-CHRISTIAN. I COULD NOT FIND ANY INFO IN THE CATECHISM. SHOULD I BE CONCERNED?[/quote] [quote]Answer by Richard Geraghty on 02-11-2002: Dear Marchell, I trust very much what goes on in the Journey Home. There can be a danger in Yoga, depending upon the orientation of the teacher. If the teacher is a kind of New Age Catholic, look out. If the teacher is a sound Catholic, the teaching of Yoga can be ok. How Catholic is your Catholic school? Dr.Geraghty [/quote] [url="http://www.ewtn.com/vexperts/showresult.asp?RecNum=326681&Forums=0&Experts=0&Days=3000&Author=&Keyword=Yoga&pgnu=1&groupnum=0"]http://www.ewtn.com/vexperts/showresult.as...nu=1&groupnum=0[/url] [quote]Christian Yoga?? Question from Nitza Feran on 11-03-2001: I have rheumatoid arthritis and my doctor recommended that I try Yoga to help strengthen & increase flexibility in my joints. I have been getting opposing views regarding the practice of Yoga. Some say it seems harmless yet it really is a form of religion or cult. Others say no it is just for exercise & relaxation, and recently someone has recommended Christian Yoga. As a Catholic will I be compromising my faith by practising Yoga???[/quote] [quote]Answer by Richard Geraghty on 11-14-2001: Dear Nitza, You would not be compormising your faith by practicing yoga. Don't worry about practicing Christian or any other kind of yoga. Just do your yoga for your health. Dr. Geraghty [/quote] [url="http://www.ewtn.com/vexperts/showresult.asp?RecNum=336320&Forums=0&Experts=0&Days=3000&Author=&Keyword=Yoga&pgnu=1&groupnum=0"]http://www.ewtn.com/vexperts/showresult.as...nu=1&groupnum=0[/url] There you have it, 3 similar responces by two different people. (both the people are Experts).
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now