The idea that "real yoga is as safe as mother's milk" has been seriously challenged in a book that details the shocking extent of yoga-related injuries among both yogis and the general population.
Neti Pot (Image courtesy of Wikicommons Images, Biopresto, CC BY-SA 3.0 DEED)SP asks: "I would like to know if nasal irrigation is considered new age. I was unable to find much on this, but I did read somewhere that in ancient times a certain people thought nasal irrigation could achieve enlightenment. I believe I suffer from chronic sinus infections, and nasal irrigation is only one recommendation to help ease and relieve the symptoms. I will be seeing my family doctor if I don’t feel better soon, but I would appreciate any information you have on this."
ML asks: Many of my friends are into pilates and I'd like to get involved too but many of these moves look very much like yoga. Are the two related in any way?
SA writes: "I am in a dilemma...I have spoken personally to my Parish Priest about my concerns about [Christian] Yoga taking place now 3 times a week in our community hall. Some parishioners attend the yoga sessions. I have prayed for about 3 years to see yoga removed, to no avail... I personally know the dangers of Yoga, having practiced it for about 3 years, but have renounced and confessed my taking part in yoga. Nobody seems to be bothered... Can you please give me some guidance, I do not know what to do now..."
We recently had a question about Ignatian Yoga, which is described as being an integration of Ignatian spirituality and yoga. Is this okay for Catholics?
A bill to reverse a 28-year ban on yoga instruction in public schools stalled in committee in the Alabama State Legislature last week, but lawmakers are confident that they can garner enough votes to overturn the law.
MB asks: "While it's true that most yoga positions are designed to be positions of worship to Hindu gods, I find it hard to believe that there's any danger in practicing them when it's just being done as an exercise."
LT writes: “I am just curious if you have heard of Yahweh yoga? Seen poster with Women’s bible study and Yoga retreat? Does this seem strange?”
Many Catholics who insist that they’re “just doing the exercises” in their yoga class and therefore aren’t guilty of worshiping the Hindu gods those “exercises” represent often stop here when searching their conscience for any evidence of sin. Unfortunately, intending to worship Hindu gods isn’t the only way a Catholic who practices yoga can sin.
by Linda CarlI was deeply immersed in yoga for almost 20 years. Once I began to discover the many hidden truths, I stopped teaching and never looked back. As Jesus says “You shall know the truth and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32).
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