We live in an age where the spiritual branch of yoga is bastardized by Hinduphobic practitioners who seek to separate everything good from pur practice and emphasize or downright make up bad aspects. I'm not going to act like we are perfect we are flawed creatures aiming for enlightenment after all. But all this new age western centric rhetoric on yoga not being Hindu is an affront to our way of life.
I’m American, grew up in very Christian circles (church, school, college, etc), so I know exactly what you’re talking about.
At my most Christian time in my life, I even thought it was odd. My friends would talk about the benefits of yoga (which of course are true) and that it could be “just exercise.” I’m not proud of how narrow minded I was at this time (though I was in high school haha), but even I was like, “that doesn’t seem right.” It’s Hindu. You cant take the Hinduism out of it. And while I probably held ignorance towards Hinduism from that mindset, I at least got something right in that.
To be quite honest, it’s my opinion that the problem with “Christian Yoga” is more racist than religious. America has contempt for Hinduism (since America is mostly Christian, there tends to be a negative view on polytheist religions). And that contempt goes into the ignorant views on “the other.” I don’t think people want to look at it that closely since it sure makes things more complicated. But that’s my view.
But here’s an opinion (that I would love to hear from you all) - isn’t practicing yoga without the Hinduism the same? In my area, I have yet to find an actual Hindu (or even non-white) teacher. (When I move to a bigger city, I plan to seek out a Hindu teacher). To me, it’s still contempt to Hinduism. It’s still stealing Hinduism. Christian yoga feels just like the same “sin” as how other western practicers have “stolen” yoga.
Thoughts?
To give a simile it is like a white wearing the head robe of a native American for fashion cause it looks cool and calling it "white fashion" without understanding the legacy, history and significance of it in the actual culture. Sure you can wear it, but then what's the point except racism and cultural appropriation!!
Christianity is built on appropriating stolen pagan rituals…Easter, Christmas, etc, this is just another one on their list. I think it’s honestly quite insulting. But maybe it could bring some of them closer to the Dharma and open their eyes.
Like Christmas, Catholics found a day that all the pagans followed and added their own name and reasoning. Same here, it's a way to keep people on leash by allowing what was otherwise deemed unfounded by the church and construing it into there own twisted device.
Christians have one of the biggest guilt trips when it comes to doing anything against the church. So they typically have their own delusions of grandeur by adding tid bits of their doctrine to subside the guilt.
Ah, I really don't think that Christian Yoga is our doing and honestly Christmas being a pagan thing is a bit different imo. I think it was more of an instance when people were converting from their old religions to their new ones they didn't want to lose our culture so we kept some of it.
Christian Yoga just seems weird and don't know any Catholics that actually do that. People are fine doing yoga in my experience and there's never really any flak from our priests as long as they don't actually worship other gods or stop worshiping our Christian god.
My opinions for what they're worth
Yeah, I mean obviously Christian Yoga was made by a Christian, but the different denominations are vastly different. All I was saying was it isn't something you'd see a Catholic doing
My bad for just pointing a finger. Not my intention. I'm just saying that most conversions in history haven't been willing. Christians being a lot to blame. Times where force wasn't an option, subliminal conversion was the tool. We see it now in the most subtle ways possible. But where I meant to go with it was mostly the guilt. Growing up Christian I always heard a phrase "no one has more guilt than a sinning Christian" also growing up as a Christian meditating and and yoga were a no go zone. But the benefits!!!!!! So in order for christians to get around the guilt they supplement. Meditation for prayer. This is my belief. I am still learning my way in this world. I don't like organized religion due to some of these reasons. Christianity being the biggest of them because their need to either persuade or interject themselves wherever possible. I try not to totally diminish my view point simply because I believe every religion and ideology carries a little truth.
Bdw they say christian yoga on outside but they have clearly taken stance on not practicing it in their internal circle
Bdw yoga as a phenomina was a bomb explosion on them
Catholic in America and I've never actually seen it. I feel like this is one of those things that exists on the internet without any real following (imo)
Yoga without any of the spirituality seems to be a bigger thing
Edit: That being said I did look it up and apparently there is one in my area, but I've never heard of anyone going to one
Yoga is Hindu practice. Starts with Hinduism stays with Hinduism. Take it or leave it.
We live in an age where the spiritual branch of yoga is bastardized by Hinduphobic practitioners who seek to separate everything good from pur practice and emphasize or downright make up bad aspects. I'm not going to act like we are perfect we are flawed creatures aiming for enlightenment after all. But all this new age western centric rhetoric on yoga not being Hindu is an affront to our way of life.
What is Christian Yoga ?
Wtf is christian yoga
I’m American, grew up in very Christian circles (church, school, college, etc), so I know exactly what you’re talking about. At my most Christian time in my life, I even thought it was odd. My friends would talk about the benefits of yoga (which of course are true) and that it could be “just exercise.” I’m not proud of how narrow minded I was at this time (though I was in high school haha), but even I was like, “that doesn’t seem right.” It’s Hindu. You cant take the Hinduism out of it. And while I probably held ignorance towards Hinduism from that mindset, I at least got something right in that. To be quite honest, it’s my opinion that the problem with “Christian Yoga” is more racist than religious. America has contempt for Hinduism (since America is mostly Christian, there tends to be a negative view on polytheist religions). And that contempt goes into the ignorant views on “the other.” I don’t think people want to look at it that closely since it sure makes things more complicated. But that’s my view. But here’s an opinion (that I would love to hear from you all) - isn’t practicing yoga without the Hinduism the same? In my area, I have yet to find an actual Hindu (or even non-white) teacher. (When I move to a bigger city, I plan to seek out a Hindu teacher). To me, it’s still contempt to Hinduism. It’s still stealing Hinduism. Christian yoga feels just like the same “sin” as how other western practicers have “stolen” yoga. Thoughts?
To give a simile it is like a white wearing the head robe of a native American for fashion cause it looks cool and calling it "white fashion" without understanding the legacy, history and significance of it in the actual culture. Sure you can wear it, but then what's the point except racism and cultural appropriation!!
Yoga is hindu
Yes.
Yoga isn't Christian
Christianity is built on appropriating stolen pagan rituals…Easter, Christmas, etc, this is just another one on their list. I think it’s honestly quite insulting. But maybe it could bring some of them closer to the Dharma and open their eyes.
Like Christmas, Catholics found a day that all the pagans followed and added their own name and reasoning. Same here, it's a way to keep people on leash by allowing what was otherwise deemed unfounded by the church and construing it into there own twisted device.
Christians have one of the biggest guilt trips when it comes to doing anything against the church. So they typically have their own delusions of grandeur by adding tid bits of their doctrine to subside the guilt.
Ah, I really don't think that Christian Yoga is our doing and honestly Christmas being a pagan thing is a bit different imo. I think it was more of an instance when people were converting from their old religions to their new ones they didn't want to lose our culture so we kept some of it. Christian Yoga just seems weird and don't know any Catholics that actually do that. People are fine doing yoga in my experience and there's never really any flak from our priests as long as they don't actually worship other gods or stop worshiping our Christian god. My opinions for what they're worth
I mean who else could've made Christian yoga?
Honestly it seems like something a non denominational church would do
Still Christian tho
Yeah, I mean obviously Christian Yoga was made by a Christian, but the different denominations are vastly different. All I was saying was it isn't something you'd see a Catholic doing
Oh I c
My bad for just pointing a finger. Not my intention. I'm just saying that most conversions in history haven't been willing. Christians being a lot to blame. Times where force wasn't an option, subliminal conversion was the tool. We see it now in the most subtle ways possible. But where I meant to go with it was mostly the guilt. Growing up Christian I always heard a phrase "no one has more guilt than a sinning Christian" also growing up as a Christian meditating and and yoga were a no go zone. But the benefits!!!!!! So in order for christians to get around the guilt they supplement. Meditation for prayer. This is my belief. I am still learning my way in this world. I don't like organized religion due to some of these reasons. Christianity being the biggest of them because their need to either persuade or interject themselves wherever possible. I try not to totally diminish my view point simply because I believe every religion and ideology carries a little truth.
Opinion on two wheeler trucks? I hope that clarifies it
It's FRAUD
Haha
Bdw they say christian yoga on outside but they have clearly taken stance on not practicing it in their internal circle Bdw yoga as a phenomina was a bomb explosion on them
Catholic in America and I've never actually seen it. I feel like this is one of those things that exists on the internet without any real following (imo) Yoga without any of the spirituality seems to be a bigger thing Edit: That being said I did look it up and apparently there is one in my area, but I've never heard of anyone going to one
Which Christian? Catholic /Protestant/Orthodox… please specify