| A while ago I saw a newspaper article about a | | | | parallels that can be drawn between yoga practices |
| Catholic Yoga class being held somewhere near | | | | and Christian ideals. If you are interested you can read |
| where I live. At the time I wondered why they needed | | | | more about those on your own. |
| a special class for Catholics. I could imagine that | | | | As for the second and third points, anyone that has |
| Catholics wouldn't want to chant to Shiva or Ganesha, | | | | practiced any yoga with any regularity understands |
| but I seldom find chanting to Hindu gods in mainstream | | | | that yoga works by connecting the body, mind and |
| or beginner yoga classes. So I was left wondering | | | | soul, and there lies its spiritual value to people of any |
| why, if Christians see a value in practicing yoga, that | | | | religion. Nancy Roth, in An Invitation to Christian Yoga, |
| some feel it necessary to customize this non-religious | | | | says simply that yoga offers people ways "of |
| practice to their religion. | | | | expressing with their bodies the prayer that is within |
| Since then, I've read a few books on how to practice | | | | them." |
| yoga as a Christian written by Christians. From the | | | | So I don't oversimplify, I'll admit that there are certainly |
| books I read, I came away with three main ideas: | | | | sensitivities to be aware of as a Christian exploring |
| | | | yoga or a teacher wishing to teach yoga in a |
| 1. Yoga is not a religion and Christians have nothing to | | | | Christian-friendly way. |
| fear from it | | | | In the use of Sanskrit words, a teacher should be |
| 2. Yoga has spiritual value, even to Christians | | | | prepared to define and explain "Om," "Namaste," and |
| 3. Yoga works by connecting the body, mind and soul | | | | other terms, and a student should feel free to ask |
| These ideas didn't surprise me, but I was pleased to | | | | questions. Teachers should be sensitive about |
| find them expressed by Christian yogis.ustin O'Brien | | | | presenting spiritual ideas in a non-religious context so |
| made the first point most eloquently in his book A | | | | that they are accessible and non-offensive to all |
| Meeting of Mystic Paths, Christianity and Yoga when | | | | students. |
| he said, "To put Christian minds at ease, it is important | | | | All in all, I hope that the perceived barriers to practicing |
| to remember that yoga does not displace religion. | | | | yoga for Christians, or people of any other religion, |
| Yoga can no more threaten genuine religious beliefs | | | | become fewer and farther between as common |
| than can a basic course in animal husbandry." | | | | knowledge of yoga increases. As our world becomes |
| The main reason that Christians should not have any | | | | more open and we learn to see ourselves in the |
| misgivings about practicing yoga is the idea of intent. If | | | | context of a global community, I hope we will all |
| Christians practice yoga with good, Christian intent, then | | | | continue to open our minds and learn from one |
| no evil can come of it. Beyond that, there are some | | | | another. There is so much wisdom that can be shared. |