The Om symbol
The Om chant, which is often chanted three times at the start and finish of a yoga session, is far more than just a random sound. It is actually very complex and has deep meaning in the Hindu religion.
Paramahansa Yogananda (1893-1952)
We recently received a very candid testimony from a former member of the Self-Realization Fellowship (SRF), which is supposedly about acquiring self-realization through yogic control of the mind and body, but members say it’s more like a cult. Thankfully, Our Lord rescued this member from the SRF through faith in the promises of the Miraculous Medal.
This fabulous witness was sent to us by a woman who was once very involved in the New Age but, thanks to God’s grace, found her way out of it.
LG asks: “Our church sponsors Yoga classes for women ages 14 and up. I have pointed out to our priest and DRE that yoga is more than stretching and exercise but also leads into certain meditations and sometimes ‘prayer’ and asked them to reconsider the decision to do this. It has been offered for about a year and they are now recommending the book Prayer of the Heart and Body by Thomas Ryan. Do you know anything about this book? Does it refer to prayer, spirituality or any other type of meditation that would be similar?”
KK writes: “As a counter to yoga, why not publicize/popularize/promote our own prayer posture . . . to promote our rich heritage to satisfy the contemporary hunger for an all inclusive, whole being relationship with Our Majesty?”
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?
