Q. A local exercise facility is offering yoga for children. Is it appropriate for Catholics to participate in this?
A. Yoga, by definition, is a Hindu spiritual and aesthetic discipline, parts of which include breath control, simple meditation, and the adoption of specific body postures, which is widely practiced by many people for health and relaxation. It originated in ancient India and is one of six orthodox schools of Hindu philosophical traditions.
Therefore, understood properly, yoga is an essential part of Hinduism, which is a false religion.
In the Jubilee year 2000, St. Pope John Paul II issued the document Dominus Iesus (Jesus our Lord) which reaffirmed that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is the one and only means of salvation and that the Catholic Church, which Jesus established, is the only one true religion. I remember at the time of the issuance of this document that there was a furor in the media and by others who refuted its premise.
However, we as Catholics believe that the Catholic Church is the one and only true religion established by Jesus. I know some Catholics who do not clearly understand this or will not accept it. I know of people who believe that comparative religions, e.g., Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, are just different paths up the same mountain to eternal happiness. They express their belief in sayings such as, “We all believe in the same God.” No, we do not. A clear reading and understanding of other religions bears this out. St. Pope John Paul II addressed some of these very issues in his 1994 book "Crossing the Threshold of Hope."
Therefore, if yoga is an essential part of a false religion, why would one risk one’s soul by partaking in it?
Now, people are going to respond, “Oh, Father, you are making too much of this. By saying ‘yoga,’ we only mean this to be stretching exercises.” If that is the case, then those who offer such classes should make that known and not advertise it as “yoga,” or incorporate Hindu spirituality into it. There is also a movement called “SoulCore” which is a movement that pairs core strengthening, stretching and functional movement with the prayers of the rosary. There are surely other similar exercises that are not a threat to one’s faith.
It is so very important to know one’s Catholic faith. I encourage all readers to get a copy of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and educate themselves on what we believe. It is also available online from the Vatican (vatican.va) or the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (usccb.org).
This question was answered by a priest of the Diocese of Lincoln. Write to Ask the Register using our online form, or write to 3700 Sheridan Blvd., Suite 10, Lincoln NE 68506-6100. All questions are subject to editing. Editors decide which questions to publish. Personal questions cannot be answered. People with such questions are urged to take them to their nearest Catholic priest.
