Dear Aggie:

Tai Ch'i is a Chinese martial art that focuses on slow meditative body movements. The "moves" of Tai Ch'i, like all martial arts can be used for self-defense when necessary. It is also has an exercise effect especially for those (such as the elderly or disabled) who cannot participate in the more physically active martial arts.

The problem martial arts in general depends upon whether or not the instructor brings into his teaching the Chinese or Oriental cosmology and theory. If an instructor begins to talk about energy flows and Ch'i in balance with the universe and other such things then I would leave the lesson and not come back. This approach relates to the Chinese or oriental cosmology and philosophy that is inconsistent with Christianity and can, in some instances, open the doors to spiritual problems and even spiritual attack.

In addition, any technique that brings one to an altered state of consciousness or empties the mind is to be avoided by Christians.

Christians can learn martial arts if...

1. it is taught as an exercise and/or self-defense
2. avoids the oriental philosophy and cosmology (Ch'i and such)
3. avoids any movements or techniques that creates an altered state of consciousness
4. avoids movements or techniques that empty the mind.

I would avoid non-Christian teachers, and perhaps non-Catholic teachers, but do not presume that because a teacher is Catholic that he is okay. There are many Catholic and other Christians doing things they shouldn't. See the criteria I outlined above as a guide.

As to Tai Ch'i specifically, I think it is very difficult to practice it without the effects of the Oriental cosmology. It is meditative in nature and the movements and practice is specifically designed to interact with the alleged Ch'i.

Yoga is similar and cannot be practiced by Christians. The postures, breathing, and exercise of Yoga is specifically designed to effect the body, mind, and soul according to a cosmology, ontology, worldview and philosophy that is contrary to the Christian worldview.

There is some debate as to whether one can practice Yoga without the effects of the philosophy that is behind Yoga. But how can we separate the Yoga from the philosophy that created and fuels Yoga and to which Yoga is purposed? The same goes with Tai Ch'i. Frankly, the prudent thing is to error on the side of caution I believe.

The Eastern Catholic Monks of 1000 - 1500 years ago already looked into these Eastern methods of meditation, contemplation, and exercise and sifting from them all that is not consistent with Christianity. We have more than 1000 years of proven track record from the Eastern Catholic Monks testifying that what they did remains Catholic.

Given that, there is no need for Catholics to borrow today from the East. What "can" be borrowed from the East has already been borrowed and tested over 1000-1500 years of monasticism.

It is better and safer to stay close to the Church and avoid these non-Christian forms.

There is a document from the Church that speaks to this issue somewhat. It can be found at: Some Aspects of Christian Meditation. Also read, A Christian Reflection on the New Age

Also, in an interview with a former Yoga Master who converted to Christianity, the man said that it was not possible to do yoga without the underlying philosophical cosmology of Hinduism.

Now as to Yogananda himself. He writes in his book:

Yogananda goes on to say in Chapter 26:

Kriya Yoga is a simple, psychophysiological method by which the human blood is decarbonized and recharged with oxygen. The atoms of this extra oxygen are transmuted into life current to rejuvenate the brain and spinal centers. By stopping the accumulation of venous blood, the yogi is able to lessen or prevent the decay of tissues; the advanced yogi transmutes his cells into pure energy. Elijah, Jesus, Kabir and other prophets were past masters in the use of Kriya or a similar technique, by which they caused their bodies to dematerialize at will.

Kriya is an ancient science. Lahiri Mahasaya received it from his guru, Babaji, who rediscovered and clarified the technique after it had been lost in the Dark Ages.

“The Kriya Yoga which I am giving to the world through you in this nineteenth century,” Babaji told Lahiri Mahasaya, “is a revival of the same science which Krishna gave, millenniums ago, to Arjuna, and which was later known to Patanjali, and to Christ, St. John, St. Paul, and other disciples.”

In a word, this is hogwash. Yogananda's own practice of this "prevention of decay" must not have worked very well. The man is deader than a doornail :)

It is true that the old yogis of India have demonstrated wondrous things. These "things", however, are not miracles as suggested by many, but are one or more of the following:

1) extraordinary control of body systems;

2) tapping into preternatural abilities;

3) tapping into demonic powers.

Being able to control the autonomic nervous system is a wondrous feat, but still a natural phenomenon.

In "some" instances, psychic-type abilities may be attributed to preternatural abilities.

But the mainstay of the truly miraculous-appearing feats, such as levitation and materializations (if genuine, and that is a BIG if), are not of God and therefore must be sourced in the demonic (albeit unbeknownst to the yogi himself), or hoaxes. 

Such feats as levitation and materializations, bi-locations, and the like are mostly tricks and lies. If, and I say "if" such feats are in any way real, they are not of God.

Bottomline: There is no need to gravitate to potentially dangerous Eastern techniques. The Catholic monks have already look into it 1000-1500 and came away with that which is consistent with Catholicism. What the monks did has been vetted for millennia and thus can be trusted. My advice is to remain close to the Church and avoid Eastern techniques.

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary