CATHOLICS AND YOGA
Part I – An Inspirational Story
As a Catholic contributor, I never write for human respect. If that were my purpose, I would have already curtailed writing. Because my intent is to speak the truth, I never expect a pat on the back. But I maintain it pleases me to learn that my work does not always fall on deaf ears. Like most Christian writers I have encountered admirers and detractors. The positive feedback has been rewarding, but one specific incident is prominent amid the others.
One morning while checking my message machine, I heard a female voice announce, “I’m searching for the woman who writes for Catholic websites.” From her amiable tone, I sensed she was not a detractor and I returned her call.
When I phoned her, she introduced herself and will be referred to herein as “Mary.” She indicated she had read some of my articles and wanted to ask a question about the “New Age” dilemmas prevalent in her hometown. Though Mary and I had just met, it was soon apparent our passions were considerably alike!
Next, Mary shared a very inspirational story with me. She had discovered that a nearby Catholic parish in
After arriving, Mary proceeded into the church and lightly sprinkled holy water and blessed salt in the church before the Yoga classes commenced. Then she entered the parking lot to distribute leaflets about Yoga, to approximately 25 women as they arrived for the classes. Mary reasoned the women probably did not understand the dangers inherent in Yoga and she wanted to offer guidance. While distributing the literature Mary was confronted by the Yoga teacher (the Deacon’s wife). The Yoga teacher told Mary, “I wish that you would leave Church property.” Mary in turn professed the same wish to the instructor.
A few minutes after the guru re-entered the church, Mary recited the Blessed St. Michael’s prayer and re-entered the church as well. She slowly opened the door to the Chapel and was horrified by what she witnessed. The Chapel was dark with the exception of a few dimly lit recessed light
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I'm afraid you have been misinformed. According to a Hindu professor, yoga can no more be separated from its Hindu roots as Christianity can be separated from Jesus. Yoga was invented specifically for Hindu worship and each posture in yoga was designed to worship a Hindu god* (e.g., the serpent posture was designed to worship the serpent god). (Interestingly, St. Justin, Martyr, in his First Apology, states that the pagan gods are actually demons and these demons gave themselves names which are the names the pagans use for their gods. A free PDF copy of St. Justin Martyrs' writings can be found on the His Mercy Web site at www.hismercy.ca under eBooks.)
Below are some other quotes with their sources, although there are many, many more that could be added:
"The postures alone are designed to create altered levels of consciousness, plus they can trigger reactions just as the breathing and mind work do. It is
a direct door to the occult. Some people who get involved in New Age or occult practices need deliverance from evil spirits, according to Fr. Amorth, the Vatican exorcist." (Anne Feaster, 'Should Christians Do Yoga?, p. 3, http://www.swordoflightandtruth.org/)**
Moira Noonan, a former yoga teacher, says yoga cannot be Christianised. (Ibid, p. 3)
...“yoga” means “union with god or yoke with god”. The god they refer to is an impersonal energy force that they call
Braham. They believe that through the practice of yoga, they can free themselves from the bondage of karma. The purpose of yoga is not exercise, but to reach altered states of consciousness... (Sword of Light and Truth, Spring 2005 newsletter, p. 3)
Yoga is the “physical manipulation of one’s body to create an altered state of consciousness which occurs as a result of the effect of the exercise on the central nervous system.”(The New Age Counterfeit by Johnnette Benkovic, p.ll)
Also, the Vatican has identified yoga as a New Age practice and therefore incompatible - in any form - with Christianity. (See Jesus Christ Bearer of the Water of Life which can be accessed on the Vatican site, www.vatican.va.)
We can be assured that there was an investigation on all aspects of yoga before the Church spoke out against it, and that experts were consulted. We also need to be mindful that we are to be obedient to Jesus through His Church. (Something that the devil and his followers will not do!)
There are many legitimate forms of exercise that are not harmful to our soul that we can use.
Note: It is important to distinguish between a belief or practice and the person who holds that belief or practice. As Christians, we are called to always love the person, but we must stay away from any belief or practice that is not from the one and only true God.
*Sharon Lee Giganti, in one of her monthly talks on Catholic Answers Live.
Ms Giganti's site: www.newagedeception.com
Catholic Answers site: www.catholic.com
** Also see Ms Feaster's 'The Truth About Yoga,' which has extra information.