Christianity and yoga... UPDATE

agape1cor813

The campus recreation center has a preview week for their fitness classes and I took the preview yoga class this morning, and it was ok, she was quite spiritual throughout, but it got really bad at the end of the class where she wanted us to focus on "the divine light and grace inside of us" and closed the class with a bow and "namaste" which means "I bow to the god inside you." I did not bow or say namaste.

I think I could do the class and be true to my faith, but I'm just not sure I want to subject myself to that.

heyimbren

You don't have to do that class necessarily though. I'm not sure I'd be comfortable with that, but there certainly are classes out there that are purely fitness-focused.

Jeffie86

Is there a rec center in town?  A yoga place?  I'm surprised the girl gets away with that--it seems like campuses these days are so adamant about keeping faith out of the activities they offer.

Also, isn't the divine light and grace within us the Holy Spirit?

GJones27

Hmm... I think it's okay to just attend class and not repeat their sayins or bow.  I don't think it's necessarily against Christianity to believe there's a little part of God within all of us, since He's omnipresent and we are created in His likeness.  Namaste is about peace and goodwill towards all, which is also Christian.

I just remembered... my priest does yoga!  So I think it can be okay.  If you don't feel comfortable with that class, you can visit other ones 

agape1cor813

The biggest problem I have is that the "divine light" she is refering to pantheism, not the Holy Spirit. I also will NEVER repeat "namaste" and the end of each class because that translates into "I bow to the god inside you." My light and grace comes from Jesus, not from myself

And yes, this is a rec center on a college campus. And you know how college campuses are these days ... tolerating every religion as long as it is not Christianity.

heyimbren

I wouldn't go if it made me uncomfortable, and I wouldn't go to THAT class because I wouldn't be okay with it (for myself).

If you really want to look into yoga though, look around at classes in gyms because they're focused on fitness, not meditation or spirituality.

Pilates is a similar work out and I don't believe it's very spiritual (correct me if I'm wrong).  So you could look around for that as well.

There are TONS of options out there, don't feel limited by this!

DLLadybug

http://www.yogajournal.com/basics/822

This explains a little more on the reason why it is said. It's mostly just a gesture of peace.

I took a Yoga class in school a couple semesters ago, and as that kind of class it was interesting to learn about the history of Yoga. What being a Yogi/Yogini means. I didn't feel that it interfered with my relationship I have with my God. It was just another way to help me focus/empower myself, along with my own God.

I guess I just see it differently.

jenjenattack

Yoga is all about your inner strength- a celebration of the body that god has created for you.  It is a form of excercize that allows you to hone in on the world around you- to be grounded into the earth.  In my opinion it is a great way to celebrate the incredible creations of god.

In the classes I have taken, the term namesde has been translated as "the light in me honors the light in you" so I have always taken it to be a form of respect for fellow people. 

While it is not traditional, I do not think that it conflicts with christianity

katanne9

Just for the record, I took an Eastern Religions class, and studied Yoga. Namaste loosely means "I bow to you" or "I honor your soul" - as in, I respect you as a person your own human being. It's not bowing down to the earthy god in someone.

Regardless, if you don't feel comfortable that is something only you can decide.

slr31

Wouldn't you agree that God is everywhere, including inside you? Who says God isn't inside each one of us at all times?


And Namaste is just a way to express inner peace, and the hope that it will extend outward to others.

LadyB64

I LOVE yoga but I do feel uncomfortable bowing with my hands in prayer position and chanting Namaste toward someone else, so I don't do it. I simply close my eyes and use that time as an opportunity to pray and thank God for His blessings and my able body.

But if you feel uncomfortable with the teacher's methods than it's up to you whether you'd like to return or not.

JoyMatt424

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_christian-weddings_christianity-yoga-update?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:464687ae-7bc1-4360-9aea-999e11f1e1adDiscussion:9cbf09e0-698b-431a-b1d3-050a1783768aPost:d8c9eb8b-380d-455f-9f9e-a5df7329034a">Re: Christianity and yoga... UPDATE</a>:
[QUOTE]Also, isn't the divine light and grace within us the Holy Spirit? ;)
Posted by Jeffie86[/QUOTE]

Yeah! That's how I feel. I think I mentioned this in a previous post but I always do yoga and meditate on my faith in Jesus, and not the spirituality in yoga. I love yoga --I wouldn't be relaxed without it : ) I'd try the class again, and medidate on your own faith and see if it changes how you feel.