I was writing my novel. Until I realized I had no idea what a "drill press operator" at a train station in 1940 would have done and so I had to head online to do a yahoo search. And what catches my eye on the news but this.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101007/ap_on_re/us_rel_southern_baptists_yoga
I had a mixed reaction when I read this article. My first was probably a reverting to my childhood in Christian school where I continually heard about all the sins I was unknowingly offending God over that He was going to remember and hold against me. The second thought was more welcome. A God who would become like me and die for me and conquer death on top of it JUST SO he could be my Savior and friend - does not care if I wear yoga pants and breathe deeply. In fact, in those rare, quiet moments of meditation it's Jesus that comes to mind, so I'm pretty sure He's cool with it.
If you honestly can't do yoga without worshipping idols or chanting Buddha's name - well then maybe you should stay away from it. I've done yoga or yoga-inspired exercise before, and never once was I ever encouraged to renounce Christ and follow Satan.
Okay. I'm going back to writing my story now. Feel free to comment, whether your response is "He's right - we all must repent of our yoga-practicing!" or "Good grief, do you think you're overreacting to this a little bit, Blogger?" or "Amen, sister, preach it!"
I prefer the last one, just so you know.
I think there's going to be quite a few saints in glory looking down over this world after they've made their exit scratching their heads and marveling that Christianity has actually gone on fine without them. If Jesus doesn't return first, that is.
And no discussing what I meant by "looking down over this world" either.
But Mandy, remember on that one episode of Star Trek when Wesley fell into the bushes and was going to be tried and punished even though he didn't know he broke a law and the scantily clad bringers of justice said "We cannot allow ignorance of the law to be an excuse"?
ReplyDeleteI can't access the article for some reason. Probably my droid's fault.
"Amen preach it sister". :) I have done yoga many times. I even went to a class at the gym a few years ago when we had a membership. I think it is more the motive behind which we do things than it is the action itself (of course this is not true in all instances, but in situations like this). Yoga is wonderful exercise and stretching. When I do yoga I'm focusing on getting healthy and stretching my muscles and "working out" not meditating and getting in touch with my "inner" whatever. Like you said it does NOT make me think of renouncing my Savior.
ReplyDeleteFor a little while, I did however feel weird telling people I was going to yoga at the gym. I'm not sure why this was, maybe because of the "stigma" (or whatever you want to call it) or yoga being New Age. I finally decided not to feel weird about it because I am not doing it for that reason.
All this to say, I don't see anything wrong with doing yoga if you are not doing the "new age" side.
That's my two cents.
Call it something else and the stigma is gone.
ReplyDeletei kinda liken it to halloween. it might have sketchy beginnings, but that doesn't mean we can't redeem it and use it for godly purposes. just because i take my kids trick or treating doesn't mean i worship satan, and just because i do exercises that stretch my body doesn't mean i heart buddha.
ReplyDeletebesides, i can't renounce my yoga pants. i live in them. i'm pretty sure nudity would be more offensive.
funny that you mentioned this. I just read something about it at the beginning of the week. I was actually confused. Whenever I've done yoga, it's just like Steph said, I'm focusing on stretching my body, relaxing, ignoring my 2 year old, and attempting to not pass out or break something. :P
ReplyDeleteI guess 15 years or so it was considered more 'religious', but I thought it had become so popular now that the 'religiousness' had worn off. huh...
Thanks for the comments! Glad to see I wasn't the only one rolling my eyes.
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