Christian Yoga Jeseus Christ!

[JudyBluEyes]

Originally Posted by Ginger

So what exactly is wrong with that??!! I don't get it...so she wants to do the stretching and the stress-relief, but doesn't want to do the chanting because it is alterior to her religious beliefs...it is not within her rights to start her own class? and if people want to take it, is that not okay? Is there a patent on yoga? If you don't like HER version, you don't have to take it. You can take the non-chanting version, or the buddhist version...it's your choice. Freedom of expression, right? Isn't that the American way? So why is she being persecuted for her expression? I don't get it.

I think persecuted is a little strong! I don't think she is being persecuted so much as commented on. Yoga is kind of like meditation for the body. It may be spiritual but really has nothing to do with religion. It has more to do with getting in touch with your inner self and relaxation.

[Jodeci]

I am only commenting on the facts that I have been given and what I know about yoga from years of practice. I also just found this information on the Yoga Journal site, which I consider to be the top site for yoga information in general.


7. Is yoga a religion?
Yoga is not a religion. It is a philosophy that began in India an estimated 5,000 years ago. The father of classical ashtanga yoga (the eight-limbed path, not to be confused with Sri K. Pattabhi Jois' Ashtanga yoga) is said to be Patanjali, who wrote the Yoga Sutra. These scriptures provide a framework for spiritual growth and mastery over the physical and mental body. Yoga sometimes interweaves other philosophies such as Hinduism or Buddhism, but it is not necessary to study those paths in order to practice or study yoga. It is also not necessary to surrender your own religious beliefs to practice yoga.

[UGAplaya]

Sounds to me like a lot of different versions of yoga. Personally I've never thought of it as religious or spiritual, but to each his own.
I still call it stretching and humming.

[Rissask]

I've also come across some super religious folks (fanatical) that think yoga is WRONG...it's the devil's work That's so amazing. Ignorance is truly bliss

I have heard that before....amazing.

This bible passage stuff sounds ridiculous. Yoga originated in India but that does not mean that it is religious or that hindu chants have to be used. A traditional class will use the sanscrit names for the poses but again this has nothing to do with religion. I would walk out of a class where they were chanting bible passages. That is a religion class not yoga class.

Yup, it's silly....yoga is a centuries old Eastern practice, it should stay that way and not get all changed and twisted to appeal to Christians- it's just such a closed minded approach.

Is there a patent on yoga? If you don't like HER version, you don't have to take it. You can take the non-chanting version, or the buddhist version...it's your choice. Freedom of expression, right? Isn't that the American way? So why is she being persecuted for her expression? I don't get it.

I would say that centuries of practicing it the 'pure' way contitutes a 'patent' somewhat, yes. I agree she can do what she wants....I just think it's narrow minded and silly of her, that's all.

[Banzoomba]

K.L. Seshagiri Rao, a professor of Hinduism at the University of Virginia and the editor of the Encyclopedia of Hinduism, said yoga complements all religions, adding that he has seen many Christians whose faith has been strengthened by their yoga practice. "Yoga means joining together. It's the joining of the individual spirit with the Universal spirit," Rao said. "No matter what religion you practice, you become a better person if you follow the principals of yoga."

.................................................. .......

[TAPPY]

Chanting sounds fun !! Who cares what you chant or pray !!!! or if dont chant or pray !!!

In all of the Yoga classes I have taken the teachers (Yoga masters) have told me that many people find it useful to repeat a prayer or chant. But you dont have to.

Who cares ...Yoga is great...do what makes you feel better.

Om Om Om
Om Thryambakam Yajaamahe

Lets all be enlightened !!!

[Ginger]

Originally Posted by JudyBluEyes

I think persecuted is a little strong! I don't think she is being persecuted so much as commented on. Yoga is kind of like meditation for the body. It may be spiritual but really has nothing to do with religion. It has more to do with getting in touch with your inner self and relaxation.

I don't think so. I think there are certain people *ahem* on this board who jump at every chance they get to belittle, laugh at, and demean Christians , and it gets stale, boring, and admitedly hard to ignore. (being called 'narrow minded' is hardly being accepting, is it? )

I think this whole issue here comes down to "live and let live". What do you care really what someone else does with their free time? Is it infringing on your rights and freedoms? Is it damaging your family? If not then why does it bother you so much? Why not just let a person do something that they enjoy in a way they want to do it that is not harming anybody or anything? IF you are just bitching and moaning for the sake of it, perhaps you need to look at the reasons for that...and maybe take a class in stretching and breathing and de-stressing...

[Mikey]

Originally Posted by Ginger

So what exactly is wrong with that??!! I don't get it...so she wants to do the stretching and the stress-relief, but doesn't want to do the chanting because it is alterior to her religious beliefs...it is not within her rights to start her own class? and if people want to take it, is that not okay? Is there a patent on yoga? If you don't like HER version, you don't have to take it. You can take the non-chanting version, or the buddhist version...it's your choice. Freedom of expression, right? Isn't that the American way? So why is she being persecuted for her expression? I don't get it.

I was just amazed at how the people who actually consider yoga something more then an exercise were in an uproar....They were comparing what the lady has done to cutting the roots from under a tree.....They were offended by what she has done and said that it was not Yoga at all....

[UGAplaya]

Originally Posted by Mikey

I was just amazed at how the people who actually consider yoga something more then an exercise were in an uproar....They were comparing what the lady has done to cutting the roots from under a tree.....They were offended by what she has done and said that it was not Yoga at all....Do you get that?

Not to turn this into a religous debate but I wonder..........had this lady chanted out verses from the Koran or the Torah, would there be this much uproar? People get a little wigged out when a Christian tries to offer a little scripture. I don't think anyone put a gun to the people's heads that were attending this class. If you don't like it, go down the street and find another yoga teacher. It's as simple as that.

[Mikey]

Originally Posted by UGAplaya

Not to turn this into a religous debate but I wonder..........had this lady chanted out verses from the Koran or the Torah, would there be this much uproar? People get a little wigged out when a Christian tries to offer a little scripture. I don't think anyone put a gun to the people's heads that were attending this class. If you don't like it, go down the street and find another yoga teacher. It's as simple as that.

Well there seem to be people who are offended by it.....SO those people are idiots and just want to bitch about something because they have nothing better to do? Well Im off to smoke a big ol bowl and wear some hemp clothes and maybe try some body painting.....While chanting.

[UGAplaya]

Originally Posted by Mikey

Well there seem to be people who are offended by it.....SO those people are idiots and just want to bitch about something because they have nothing better to do? Well Im off to smoke a big ol bowl and wear some hemp clothes and maybe try some body painting.....While chanting.

don't forget to stretch brother.

[Jodeci]

Originally Posted by Mikey

Well there seem to be people who are offended by it.....SO those people are idiots and just want to bitch about something because they have nothing better to do? Well Im off to smoke a big ol bowl and wear some hemp clothes and maybe try some body painting.....While chanting.

I think that people who are offended have just as much right as the Christian lady to say what they want and do what they want. True yoga people do not like most variances on the traditional practice of yoga, including yogaerobics, yoga flex classes at gyms, etc. It is too bad that yoga is not a patented term so that the label "yoga" could not be slapped onto every class that some fitness teacher decides to teach just because they learned a couple of poses from a DVD.

[Mikey]

Originally Posted by UGAplaya

don't forget to stretch brother.

For spiritual reasons or physical....I dont want to offend anybody.....

[Rissask]

I don't think so. I think there are certain people *ahem* on this board who jump at every chance they get to belittle, laugh at, and demean Christians , and it gets stale, boring, and admitedly hard to ignore. (being called 'narrow minded' is hardly being accepting, is it? )

Now, now Ginger ....I may not be a fan of Christianity, but I was hardly tarring all Christians with the same brush here.

I do think that people who are fanatical or fundamentalist Christians, and think yoga is 'evil' because it is influenced by a spirituality other than Christianity, so they must whitewash it to make it palatable for themselves - are stupid, narrow minded and ridiculous. But that description doesn't fit anyone on this board- does it? Not even UGAPlaya!

But yes, like I stated before, live and let live, sure....but I can think their motivation is silly, can't I?

They were offended by what she has done and said that it was not Yoga at all....

I can understand that though...what would you think Mikey, if someone went to Chichen Itza to the solstice festival and held a huge Catholic mass? or interrupted the importance of that day with a big baptism ceremoney with peopel being dunked in the cenote by some preacher? Is that not irreverent and rude as well? Some things don't need to change, and shouldn't be changed.

[UGAplaya]

Originally Posted by Mikey

For spiritual reasons or physical....I dont want to offend anybody.....

Who cares..........just don't wear loose fitting shorts.