CreepyCrawler Posted September 10, 2004 Share 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? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phazzan Posted September 10, 2004 Share 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FutureSoror Posted September 10, 2004 Share 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iacobus Posted September 10, 2004 Share 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CreepyCrawler Posted September 10, 2004 Author Share 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? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shelly_freak Posted September 10, 2004 Share 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iacobus Posted September 10, 2004 Share 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! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piccoli Fiori JMJ Posted September 10, 2004 Share 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... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geetarplayer Posted September 10, 2004 Share 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AfroNova No Limit Soldier Posted September 10, 2004 Share 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
picchick Posted September 10, 2004 Share 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carnanc Posted September 10, 2004 Share 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
picchick Posted September 10, 2004 Share 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zwergel88 Posted September 10, 2004 Share 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
musturde Posted September 10, 2004 Share 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.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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