Yoga? It's too Hindu for church: Priest bans exercise class because it's 'not Catholic'

Daily Mail ^ | Wednesday, September 26, 2012 | Daily Mail Reporter

[Jyotishi]

-Yoga instructor Cori Withell was told activity was part of Hindu religion -37-year-old banned from using Catholic church hall despite paying up beforehand -She said the class was just for exercise and did not feature meditation -Ban not Catholic church policy - decision left to discretion of individual priests

Banned: Fitness instructor Cori Withell was told she could not hold her yoga class at a Catholic church as it was a Hindu religious activity

She meant her yoga classes to be a calming and relaxing experience for all those concerned.

Instead, Cori Withell has ended up flustered and frustrated after a priest banned her from his church hall because her lessons are ‘not compatible’ with the Catholic faith.

The 37-year-old instructor was told by Father John Chandler that yoga is a Hindu religious activity and therefore not in keeping with his rules on promoting Catholic activities.

[LukeL]

Have you heard of the Kudilini and Chakra? Many of these things along with ideas like acupuncture, reflexology, accupressure, rake, and other eastern practices have their roots in eastern religion. Even martial arts practice channeling your interal spritual energy for maximum effect. (although this is often exagerated in the west to mystify it and to fleece money from idiots)

[Bon mots]

My ex-girlfriend does yoga and she’s Satan.

[Twinkie]

Mixing the profane with Christianity is the first step down a slippery slope. - I had a Bible study teacher several years ago who was a frustrated yoga teacher; slipped in a few of her guided imagery ideas and yoga ads into the class in a, I am sure, misguided theory that she was helping us. (She was the preacher’s wife, and my husband was very attached to both of them - which made it difficult when I left there.)

[sinsofsolarempirefan]

Once had a devout christian come to my martial arts training class a few years ago. He didn’t come back after the first session, as he considered reing (bowing) to the sensei at the beginning and end of the session to be an idolatrous act and was too pig-headed to be persuaded otherwise.

[circlecity]

Becasue we all know how much the bible condemns breathing and stretching exercise.

[Cronos]

it really depends. Yoga came out of hindu religious practise, there is no doubt about that. It also has physical benefits, but those were originally secondary to the spirituality of it

If one takes the philosophy too far, it is then Hindu spirituality specifically Tantric and vedic, which asserts about emptying the mind. This is quite the opposite of Christian meditation

Hence, if one does the whole-blow yoga with meditation, this is not Christian, but yoga just for exercise is ok imho

To 21twelve -- I think (note, my opinion) that replacing the meditation on the self as divinity which is Hindu and replacing it with meditation on Bible verses is a good approach for Christians

to susie -- I don't agree that yoga can't be separated out.

[stilloftyhenight]

Yoga is great exercise. When I took classes, I’d tune out the “meditations” and meditate on scriptures instead.

[paudio]

If some Muslim or Hindu teachers refuse to teach Western classical music because it’s too Christian, what would be our reaction?

[fr_freak]

WOW, I was under the impression only Muslims had the monopoly on religious intolerance.

Don't be an idiot. The priest wasn't trying to ban yoga from the world, or protest Hinduism, or any of those thiongs. He was simply exercising control over what things happened in the church building that he is responsible for. That church is supposed to to be a place devoted to the worship of God, not some community hall for every new age activity that people can come up with. I'm sure he doesn't care how many people do yoga outside his church.

The very concept of "tolerance" has been so perverted that it has become meaningless. These days, people think "tolerance" means that they should be able to do whatever they want, whenever they want, no matter who it inconveniences or harms, and if there is any objection, it must be "intolerance". Of course, if it is a white, male Christian who wants to do something, then people are free to crap all over him all they want.

[21twelve]

“replacing the meditation on the self as divinity which is Hindu and replacing it with meditation on Bible verses is a good approach”.

And the best part is that the Hindu’s won’t start world-wide protests or try to chop of your head!

[melsec]

Fr-freak - couldn’t agree more it is not intolerant or bull-headed for the Priest - who is responsible for the going’s on in his Parish and on Church grounds - to refuse usage of such to anything he feels is not of spiritual benefit to his congregation.

We should all rejoice that an individual takes responsibility for his role and makes other’s accountable in doing so - isn’t this some of what fr ultimately is all about!

Mel

I don’t think any of us really understand how much of this PC tolerance stuff has infected even our own lives.

[Cronos]

The thing is that Yoga originated in Tantric Hinduism but in the exercise form is not based on Hinduism

in the same way martial arts in many cases is based on Chinese philosophy.

I think we need to separate out the Hindu religious part from the exercise, just as how many of us have done so for martial arts

[Cronos]

Also do note that it's not a ruling by the overall Church. It's the same with non-Catholic groups -- some pastors say ok, others don't.

I do believe that some of the deep breathing, focusing on say Rama etc. is not Christian

But yoga-dance is neither Hindu nor Christian, it's exercise.

[Cronos]

it depends. much of the yoga that I've seen in this country is just exercise, however do note that Sri Sri etc. are based on deeper Sanathana Dharma philosophy and beliefs.

I'm not going to comment on Hindu beliefs more than that the belief in one worshipping the self and emptying the mind are not Christian beliefs. The stretching etc is of course, non-religious :)

[Cronos]

western classical music is not based on Christianity in the same way as yoga is. Yoga in its original sense was a way to commune with the gods

[Cronos]

Hindus won’t care. They’re good people. I don’t agree with their religious views, and I know they don’t completely agree with mine, but they are good people and know how to live alongside other faiths.

[informavoracious]

People are often attracted to that which is new and exotic to them. There are many Catholics who wouldn’t think of praying a rosary or spending time in Eucharistic adoration because they are “old fashioned” but who will happily meditate as part of a non-Catholic practice. Ommmmmm

[Gamecock]

Do not stretch your tendons and muscles. It’s satanic!

My daughter is a competative swimmer and they do Yoga two days a week. I have no problem with it; I see Yoga on the same level as Cross Fit and other programs that increase strength and flexibility.

Athletes need to be in tune with their bodies and Yoga provides that.

Now if the purpose is spiritual, such as you would find in a church, then I have a problem with it.....

[Mountain Bike Vomit Carnage]

I do the Wii Sports Yoga and have yet to turn into a Hindu.

Though I am super flexible with incredible balance.