Question of the Day for Thursday, April 8, 2010

The Church and Yoga

Q. What is the Church’s view about yoga?

A. Here’s a reply from Father Reginald Martin:

The New Catholic Encyclopedia (1967) devotes considerable space to the history of yoga, its various forms, and its desired ends. “Classical yoga is based on the doctrine … [that] the soul is by nature a pure spirit that has become identified … with matter. The purpose of yoga is to set the soul free.” The essay concludes that “the desire to know God is the fundamental motive of yoga.”

Ritual postures, and meditation, are an ancient element in Christian prayer, so Catholics may see similarities between yoga and prayer. Likewise, Hatha yoga, “which relies entirely on physical exercises and aims primarily at bodily perfection,” might find a place in a Christian’s daily health regime.

However, a Catholic practicing yoga should be alert to possible conflicts between yoga and Christian faith. The Catechism of the Catholic Church makes a nice distinction between concern for health and “a neo-pagan notion that tends to promote the cult of the body” (No. 2889), and the Encyclopedia remarks, “Lacking the light of revelation [yoga] is inevitably exposed to the dangers of illusion and of magic and superstition.” If one avoids these extremes, and practices yoga for its health benefits, most Catholics would judge yoga to be a morally neutral activity.