LG asks: “Our church sponsors Yoga classes for women ages 14 and up. I have pointed out to our priest and DRE that yoga is more than stretching and exercise but also leads into certain meditations and sometimes ‘prayer’ and asked them to reconsider the decision to do this. It has been offered for about a year and they are now recommending the book Prayer of the Heart and Body by Thomas Ryan. Do you know anything about this book? Does it refer to prayer, spirituality or any other type of meditation that would be similar?”
Category Archives: Yoga
What Do Christian Prayer Postures Have in Common with Yoga?
KK writes: “As a counter to yoga, why not publicize/popularize/promote our own prayer posture . . . to promote our rich heritage to satisfy the contemporary hunger for an all inclusive, whole being relationship with Our Majesty?”
Book Reveals Shocking Extent of Yoga-Related Injuries
The idea that “real yoga is as safe as mother’s milk” has been seriously challenged in a book that details the shocking extent of yoga-related injuries among both yogis and the general population.
Can Irrigating Your Nostrils Give You “Divine Vision”?
Neti Pot (Image courtesy of Wikicommons Images, Biopresto, CC BY-SA 3.0 DEED)
SP asks: “I would like to know if nasal irrigation is considered new age. I was unable to find much on this, but I did read somewhere that in ancient times a certain people thought nasal irrigation could achieve enlightenment. I believe I suffer from chronic sinus infections, and nasal irrigation is only one recommendation to help ease and relieve the symptoms. I will be seeing my family doctor if I don’t feel better soon, but I would appreciate any information you have on this.”
How Are Pilates and Yoga Related?
ML asks: Many of my friends are into pilates and I’d like to get involved too but many of these moves look very much like yoga. Are the two related in any way?
Christian Yoga is Syncretism
SA writes: “I am in a dilemma…I have spoken personally to my Parish Priest about my concerns about [Christian] Yoga taking place now 3 times a week in our community hall. Some parishioners attend the yoga sessions. I have prayed for about 3 years to see yoga removed, to no avail… I personally know the dangers of Yoga, having practiced it for about 3 years, but have renounced and confessed my taking part in yoga. Nobody seems to be bothered… Can you please give me some guidance, I do not know what to do now…”
Is Ignatian Yoga Okay for Catholics?
We recently had a question about Ignatian Yoga, which is described as being an integration of Ignatian spirituality and yoga. Is this okay for Catholics?
Yoga Ban in Alabama Schools May Soon Be Overturned
A bill to reverse a 28-year ban on yoga instruction in public schools stalled in committee in the Alabama State Legislature last week, but lawmakers are confident that they can garner enough votes to overturn the law.
Why Can’t Yoga Just Be an Exercise?
MB asks: “While it’s true that most yoga positions are designed to be positions of worship to Hindu gods, I find it hard to believe that there’s any danger in practicing them when it’s just being done as an exercise.”
What About Yahweh Yoga?
LT writes: “I am just curious if you have heard of Yahweh yoga? Seen poster with Women’s bible study and Yoga retreat? Does this seem strange?”
