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Question Title	Posted By	Question Date
yoga pose vs. stretch	Angela	Sunday, December 18, 2011
Question: Dear Brother Ignatius, I see that there have been several questions posted recently regarding yoga. I am trying to understand what constitutes the essential difference between engaging in a yoga "pose" and doing a "stretch," as I want to avoid doing yoga inadvertently. It seems to me that it is pretty easy to identify and avoid the more elaborate yoga poses because there is really no reason that any sane person would want to put their body in those positions. However, there are some basic yoga "poses" that correspond to simple leg and back stretches, such as some of the back stretches you referenced previously in a link to the Mayo Clinic (specifically, the "bridge" pose and the "cat" pose). I have also discovered that some of the ways I was spontaneously stretching to relieve a sore back would technically be considered yoga poses. As I am trying to reason this through, it seems to me that there are only so many ways the human body can move and stretch, and that yoga wants to claim pretty much all of those movements and label them as "poses". It doesn’t seem reasonable that we could end up being "accidental Hindus" simply by virtue of trying to relieve a sore back or tight hamstrings. So, my question is this: Do I have to worry about any potential spiritual fallout from engaging in straight-forward stretches that are commonly used in dance, athletics, physical therapy, etc. (such as the ones I linked to above), AND that also happen to correspond to some basic yoga poses? I want to make it clear that it is not my intention to engage in the practice of yoga in any way. I think I am getting a little paranoid about this because it seems like just about any stretch I could try could technically be labeled a yoga pose and therefore be off limits. I would really appreciate it if you could help put my mind (and aching back) to rest. Sincerely, Angela
Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OMSM(r) Dear Angela: Although there can be similarities in the stretches between traditional exercise ande yoga the difference is that yoga is a spiritual endeavor, whether or not the person doing it knows it or not, that is based on a cosmology that is hostile to Christianity. The Mayo Clinic stretches to help the back are fine. I do not know what links you are referring to as your question does not contain any links; you must have forgot them. But, generally speaking the primary way to avoid yoga is to not sign up for yoga classes. If you suspect that some exercise may be yoga in disguise, or have elements of yoga, ask the instructor the instructor about it. Ask if he as borrowed from yoga in any way. Also, be on the lookout for these new-fangled exercise programs being marketed to Christians that are just yoga under a different name. These mixed-up people often say their "system" is not yoga, but an "alternative" to yoga. No, it is yoga. God Bless, Bro. Ignatius Mary For information on how to receive help see our Help page. We suggest that before contacting us directly for help you try the Seven Steps to Self-Deliverance. These self-help steps will often resolve the problem. Also our Spiritual Warfare Prayer Catalog contains many prayers that may be helpful. If needed you can ask for a Personal Consultation.

Question Title

Posted By

Question Date

yoga pose vs. stretch

Angela

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Question:

Dear Brother Ignatius,

I see that there have been several questions posted recently regarding yoga. I am trying to understand what constitutes the essential difference between engaging in a yoga "pose" and doing a "stretch," as I want to avoid doing yoga inadvertently.

It seems to me that it is pretty easy to identify and avoid the more elaborate yoga poses because there is really no reason that any sane person would want to put their body in those positions. However, there are some basic yoga "poses" that correspond to simple leg and back stretches, such as some of the back stretches you referenced previously in a link to the Mayo Clinic (specifically, the "bridge" pose and the "cat" pose). I have also discovered that some of the ways I was spontaneously stretching to relieve a sore back would technically be considered yoga poses.

As I am trying to reason this through, it seems to me that there are only so many ways the human body can move and stretch, and that yoga wants to claim pretty much all of those movements and label them as "poses". It doesn’t seem reasonable that we could end up being "accidental Hindus" simply by virtue of trying to relieve a sore back or tight hamstrings.

So, my question is this: Do I have to worry about any potential spiritual fallout from engaging in straight-forward stretches that are commonly used in dance, athletics, physical therapy, etc. (such as the ones I linked to above), AND that also happen to correspond to some basic yoga poses? I want to make it clear that it is not my intention to engage in the practice of yoga in any way.

I think I am getting a little paranoid about this because it seems like just about any stretch I could try could technically be labeled a yoga pose and therefore be off limits. I would really appreciate it if you could help put my mind (and aching back) to rest.

Sincerely,

Angela

Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OMSM(r)

Dear Angela:

Although there can be similarities in the stretches between traditional exercise ande yoga the difference is that yoga is a spiritual endeavor, whether or not the person doing it knows it or not, that is based on a cosmology that is hostile to Christianity.

The Mayo Clinic stretches to help the back are fine.

I do not know what links you are referring to as your question does not contain any links; you must have forgot them. But, generally speaking the primary way to avoid yoga is to not sign up for yoga classes.

If you suspect that some exercise may be yoga in disguise, or have elements of yoga, ask the instructor the instructor about it. Ask if he as borrowed from yoga in any way.

Also, be on the lookout for these new-fangled exercise programs being marketed to Christians that are just yoga under a different name. These mixed-up people often say their "system" is not yoga, but an "alternative" to yoga. No, it is yoga.

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary

For information on how to receive help see our Help page. We suggest that before contacting us directly for help you try the Seven Steps to Self-Deliverance. These self-help steps will often resolve the problem. Also our Spiritual Warfare Prayer Catalog contains many prayers that may be helpful. If needed you can ask for a Personal Consultation.