Yoga, Spirituality, and the Search for Meaning w/Alex Frank | Chris Stefanick Show
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- We live in a culture starved for meaning, and people are willing to look for it almost anywhere. This has led to an entire subculture of gurus, “mindfulness,” and yoga, and some Catholics aren’t sure whether they should be involved.
Alex Frank was deeply immersed in that world; his spiritual director was one of the top yoga spiritual directors in the entire United States! But his search for truth eventually brought him to the Catholic Faith, and Chris brought him on to talk about the dangers that yoga poses to Catholics.
Alex shares a ton about the spiritual influences our culture is trying to push on us in this episode. If you’ve ever wondered what the deal is with yoga, you’ve got to check it out!
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I had a very similar experience as Alex… Of course I’m not in the same level of Catholicism as he is but I was a yogini for 13 years, I wouldn’t miss a practice on my days off. One day out of nowhere I just didn’t feel like going, I thought I was just tired but weeks went by and even if I tried to force myself to go, I couldn’t t go to my yoga studio. At the same time I started going deeper on my Catholic faith, praying the Rosary, going to church and information about yoga kept landing on my lap, literally, I was finding out all of the real meaning of it… All I can say is I am so blessed. I’m sure it was God’s intervention for what He has planned for me🙏
Great job! Same!! On my last day of yoga (6 years ago) I remember feeling super uneasy at the class, and I couldn't explain what was happening. I was overcome with the knowledge that the Holy Spirit was telling me not to do yoga anymore, which was so scary. It was a big wake up call as I searched online and learned that what I was engaging in was all New Age, which is not really the direction I wanted to go in. So I pivoted myself back to church and bible study and prayer, and never looked back 😊
@@GardenMinistry. Bible study is not Catholic neither.
🕊🙏🏼♥️
@@MrMirville We all do Bible study at my Catholic church, additionally we do it in our home ministries 🙂 Not to mention the daily Mass scripture readings, The Word of God all day long my friend!
Me too…yogini for over twenty years
I was a yoga teacher and did not know all of that about the poses. The teacher training doesn't go into that. I no longer teach and that's when I became impelled to come back to the Catholic church. The one thing I did take away from yoga was the meditation. I love going to adoration twice a week because I feel our Lord there and can meditate with Him there. Thank you for this!
I’m so sorry about the loss of your mother in law. Many prayers for her and for your wife and family. 🙏🏻🙏🏻❤️❤️
Throughout the world there is a Mass celebrated every hour of every day, protecting mankind whether we know it or not as the Church prays for everyone.
A Catholic woman who works at a senior recreation center, received permission to teach a yoga exercise class in the Catholic School basketball court. I joined. We did odd animal stretch poses. One day after one of the animal stretch poses, one of the women students cried out that she received such a spiritual feeling she was so blessed!!! I turned around and walked right out of there.
I went home and on uTube I studied a report by a young man who survived extreme yoga training and discovered how he was becoming controlled by satanic forces and was working towards becoming a satanist. I sent that report to the parish priest and told him how offended I was that this was allowed on church property. I was so glad he listened to me. Most priests don’t do Yoga and may not really even understand what they are doing. I am grateful that my priest quickly got them outta there.
The only poses I will do is genuflecting and bowing before my Lord Jesus Christ.
Excercise is important to the body but there are other spiritual practices that have nothing to do with the Holy Spirit🕊🙏🏼♥️
Do you have the name or link of the video?
Concerning Alex Frank and his talk about Yoga. My husband has been doing yoga for about 6 years. He is a Catholic Christian Charismatic man. He was introduced to it by an Indian Priest at our parish and his brother visiting from India, also a priest, some years ago at our church. His brother is famous in India for his yoga teaching and has the support of his Bishop in India. When my husband, years later, found yoga as a relief to his struggle with hypertension (high blood pressure) and stress management he sought out the Indian Priest who used to be at our parish to talk about his spiritual walk and if yoga was safe to do. He was told that yoga as he does it, is not a religion and as long as you do with that intention there should be no worry about your spiritual walk. My husband doesn't do anything without research and prayer and contined to read and study if yoga was safe for him as a Catholic Christian. After reading 3 books avocating Christian yoga (one written by a Paulist Priest who is a yoga instructor and at the time the Ecumenical Officer of Interfaith Relations for the Paulists).
I think there has to be more to the discernment of doing yoga as a Catholic. While I appreciate Alex Frank's talk, I'd like to see more on this topic. I showed Alex's interview to my husband. He's now off to do more research and always continuing prayer for guidance.
Hi I too was doing yoga and had some very negative spiritual events happen from the practice of it. Physically it was great for my body and I felt great but I did more research myself and what really convinced me that it was very bad for Christians was watching this: please have you and your husband watch this, right at the 1:02:20 in this video: th-cam.com/video/GMUjC8YRB5I/w-d-xo.html
It will be nice to get his feedback. I'm just learning these things
I think you can do yoga,and practise it without all the mundo, jumbo. My wife suffered from back pain and back issues for years ( chiropractors, acupuncture, she staying away from medicating - she doesn't want start down that road - other than over the counter for time to time) she started doing yoga about a 6 month ago and she hasn't had any recurring back problems now. - Next thing they'll come up with is getting a massaging is a sin.
Darling, yoga is a part of hinduism. You can't take another religion's spiritual practise and think it's ok, since that breaks the 1st commandment. Ofcourse yoga works when you're inviting spirits to make changes to the way that currents flow through your soul. Think of the yogic poses like demonic sigils or runes, but instead of writing them down, you form the geometric pattern with your body.
@@JohnBog No it is not part of "hinduism." It is part of ayurvedic medicine however which is also part of the traditions of India.
I'm a former yoga teacher in the middle of a radical conversion. I know I have God, Jesus, & Mary, but I feel so alone all the time. Knowing that I'm not the only one who has left yoga makes me feel a little better about leaving yoga. After many years of practicing & teaching God & the Holy Spirit slowly has revealed the truth about yoga. Thank you for knowing there is an entire community of former Yogi's converting to The Catholic Faith. Thank you for sharing! 🙏✝️❤️🔥
Try spending time in adoration before God. You may feel less along as you do being face to face with God himself. It is a great form of prayer/meditation to just sit with him and keep him company and let him keep you company. You will be very blessed when you do.
Sending hugs of support for you! Welcome to the Catholic Church and fullness of truth. You are not alone! 💛
A friend of mine is getting into teaching Yoga and seems to be leaving her Catholic faith. Any words of wisdom you could offer to convince her to stop?
I am SO ignorant. I didn't realize that Yoga was more than exercise. Cool interview. I'm sure you're aware, but it's a blessing to have good in-laws. Mine have been trying to break me down for 20+ years. They've gone out of their way to make life exceptionally hard for us.
Prayed for you. Christ is with you always and loves you more than anyone.
I went through the same , or similar path. It was Christ’s passion that brought me back.
Me too, through Zen Buddhism. The one thing I would add to this conversation is that Eastern mysticism is very much about dropping one's ego boundaries, to realize the 'true self.' In my experience, this released all forms of unresolved grief in me: trauma, rage, disappointments, dread, shame, etc. If one does not have the strength, awareness, and capability to deal with what comes up for healing, then one, like me, finds navigating normal life very difficult, even leading to suicide. Thanks be to God, my Zen teacher recognized my Catholic roots and sent me back to the Church, even though I did not want to return. In the hands of a Trappist monk, priest, and psycho-analyst, I was able to recognize the root of my trauma, and through the grace of the Cross and the gentle leading of the Holy Spirit, I found my way back to emotional and spiritual health.
Praise God!
Excellent interview
Truth . Insider information on the roots of yoga. Amen .
I began yoga on my own many years ago, I bought a book and practiced the poses at home. It was good, it helped me tone muscles I didn't know I had. After 3-4 months I had stopped and years later, when I found a yoga studio near home, I began again. It was weird because I would go after work as I thought it would help me relax and stuff, but the truth is that ever since I had started, I began to suffer from insomnia and the very few times I'd sleep I would have bad dreams; both of which are uncommon for me.
I would look around and it always seemed strange that most of the yogis that were really into this all had the same types of tattoo, and I thought people can like doing cardio, kickboxing, spinning or whatever but that wouldn't lead them to get a tattoo associated with it. I personally don't like tattoos although I know they've grown in popularity, but when you see a big group of people getting the same sort of tattoos it just started to seem a bit odd. The random words they would say in sanskrit, (not their native/day-to-day language), felt strange too. Despite all of this I kept going anyway.
Then I tried aerial yoga and I struggled with it, then the instructor comes and puts some sort of oil in the back of my neck and that was it for me, it felt like if it were some sort of initiation I was not interested in forming a part of. I told her to stop got off the hanging fabric swing (I'm sure it has a name, I just don't remember it), put my shoes on and left. I still kept going afterwards, but less often, as I was feeling more uneasy going than not going.
My sister then sends me a video about this "ex-witch" that said that yoga and pilates are satanic rituals. I got upset with my sister, I felt she was judging me. I told her I'm Catholic and that is never going to change and that I felt offended that she would think that I would be capable of participating on anything of that nature. I was a bit skeptical because I had not heard about it before, you can't believe everything you see online and the yoga studio even had photos of Saints Mother Theresa and Pope John Paul II (I thought if its satanic, why would they have these photos? 🤷🏻♀️). She had called me right before I was about to go to mass. I was disturbed by the whole issue and asked God to enlighten me; if this is wrong, I will stop right away. After mass I spoke to an old catholic friend and she told me that the priest in her church had addressed that topic not so long ago and agreed with what my sister had told me. I apologized to my sister, I know deep down she shared this information out of concern, and ever since that day I have not done yoga anymore.
This sounds like a stand up comedy sketch.
I am glad your relationship with your dear sister was healed.
@@maryreinhardt8661Thank you, yes my relationship with my sister is much better now.
Prayers for my mom who does yoga at the YMCA. She says her physical health has improved but I know her spiritual health is in danger!! 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
My friends Mother is also immersed in yoga and he doesnt know how to broach the subject that yoga is not something christians should even touch. I used to do it myself, for over 10 years but it was only when I came to know God that I found out the truth about this practice. What amazes me is how Yoga as assimilated itself into the culture, where im from they're now teaching it to kids in schools.
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Reject the work of New Age Spiritualism
Sunday, May 15th, 2011 @ 17:00
My dearly beloved daughter, I Am calling on all My followers to denounce the work of the New Age Movement, which has gripped the world.
Christianity has always been a prime target of Satan. Because he is so cunning he will constantly try to seduce those with empty and spiritually lost souls. He will always try to present his lies couched in what appears to be love. Then he will try to control My children’s minds using ancient pagan tactics designed to free their minds from the so-called stresses of modern living. Beware those of you who succumb to practices, which claim to bring your mental state into a stage of oblivion, in the name of meditation. Once you allow your mind to be controlled in this way Satan and his demons can move in so silently that you won’t realise it, so smooth will be the transition.
Avoid ancient spiritual practices including use of tarot cards
Many, many souls in the world are starving for spiritual guidance. In their quest to bring meaning into their lives, they are unwittingly allowing themselves to be sucked into practices which amount to paganism. Any false dogma, which entices you to believe that peace in your heart and soul can be achieved through ancient spiritual practices must be avoided at all times. Learn to recognise them for what they really are.
The use of crystals, meditation, reiki, yoga, tarot cards, belief in spirit guides, metaphysics and so-called faith healers are there to entice you to believe in an alternative superiour existence outside of that created by God the Eternal Father.
Warning about ascended masters
Many of you today, who are constantly searching out spiritual comfort in the practice of following your angels must also be alert to the fact that once the term ascended masters is mentioned you can be sure that these angels do not come from Heaven. Ascended masters, My children, are fallen angels and come from the dark. Yet you will be told and then be convinced that they come from the light. All of this pagan spiritualism, if you let it take over your lives, will eventually pull you downwards into the pits of darkness when you least expect it. Satan will be so careful as to how he presents these dark lies, because at all times you will be told, and you will believe, that these things are all good.
Most of these practices are presented as being good for your self-esteem, confidence, control over your life, all of which is a lie. Not only do these practices drive you away from the Truth, but they bring untold misery once the evil spirits enter your soul as a direct result of these practices.
Bible warns of dangers of magic
The Truth can never be tampered with. Teachings handed down to man in the Holy Bible warn mankind of the dangers of magic, fortune telling and the adulation of false gods. In today’s world, these practices are presented as harmless, but necessary, for your spiritual wellbeing. Because of the nature of gentle souls, many of them will be naturally drawn to new age practices because of the false façade of the love they exude. Nothing could be further from the Truth.
Warning about fanatical devotion to angels Remember it is Satan and his fallen angels who have carefully and cunningly drawn you into these unsuspecting lies. For those of you who promote an almost fanatical devotion to angels, I have this to say. Why do you not proclaim the Word of God, My Eternal Father first? Isn’t this obsession with angels just another form of idolatry? Yes, by all means, pray for the help of the holy angels, however, always ask this question. Is your devotion to the angels at the expense of your love for Jesus Christ, the Son of God or God the Eternal Father? If so then you offend Me, your Divine Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Wake up now to the lies of so-called spiritualism. The angels you attract by participating in such practices will not come from Heaven or from the Light. They will seem to come from the Light but that is the deceit that Satan and his demons use to cleverly camouflage their actions.
Remember one final lesson. Dress up your pagan practices as much as you like to appear as if you are paying homage to the Divine Light of Heaven, but it will be a lie. The lie, and those you convince to follow this bizarre journey towards a so-called spiritual realm, outside that of My Father’s,
will bring you so close to Satan that beyond a certain point there will be no return.
The only Divine Realm of Love that exists outside of this Earth is Heaven. Anything else you have been told is untrue. Satan, however, wants you to believe that there is. The reality is that he is pulling all those unsuspecting and superstitious souls into the darkness of Hell with him and all the fallen angels, all in the name of false love.
Please remember that Love, True Love, can only come from God the Eternal Father.
Your loving Saviour
Jesus Christ
Tell her to do Pilates instead. All the physical benefits, none of the demons.
I went through same thing with my folks and found out it was basically calisthenics, not really yoga
Also, the YMCA enjoys tax e benefits because it is a "Christian" organization, yet their prices are in line with other health clubs who do pay business taxes.
Yes! I can't believe more people don't know this! At 2 past jobs, they had a yoga day, and I had to explain that yoga is a spiritual practice and it's not a part of my faith. Also people buy shirts that say Namaste- that is also not Christian.
I was also surprised that they didn’t touch on the fact that many churches offer, or I should say allow, yoga classes in their gyms and rec buildings. I know of several in my area.
@@Shangri-LaGrangeour catholic church has strayed away from true Catholicism.
@@vivelder8420 I failed to clarify, I meant Protestant churches. Thankfully I haven’t seen any local Catholic Churches encouraging or supporting yoga. I am converting and finally coming Home. The saddest thing I have noticed is the lack of reverence for the Eucharist among some of the laity at our parish. I long for the day I too can receive Him and seeing people receive in the hand and then almost dropping our Lord is just painful to watch. I wish they would realize the gravity of what they are being so privileged to partake in and repent and show Jesus the respect and honor He deserves. 🙏🏼
@@Shangri-LaGrange again, our catholic church has failed to catechise us. I too feel like you. I pray at mass for Gods forgiveness for the lack of respect in His presence. I try not to judge knowing that these folks just havent been taught. 🙏
@@Shangri-LaGrangeWelcome Home!! 🙏✝️❤
It's extremely upsetting to see people receive the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Our LORD and Savior, Jesus Christ, so casually and irreverently.
It hurts my heart.
I pray that all Catholics will come to know and understand that the Eucharist is the best gift we could hope to receive in this temporal life and that we may all be united again in receiving the Body of Christ on our tongues.
Our hands are not consecrated and we have no business handling the Body of Christ.
May God bless you abundantly!!
I knew about yoga for sometime, I volunteer at my church and two parishioners were talking about how much they like yoga.. I said I wouldn’t do that because it’s opening doors to evilness.. they got mad at me, they mentioned to the other women and told me they’ll find more information on it.. after a while one apologize and the other said she’ll find something else! My answer was I felt I just informed and what people do and wants to believe it’s their choice… left like that
I love his explanation of finding partial truths in other religions or spiritual practices. My path was similar to his and I also ended up Catholic. I was always seeking goodness. But the partial truths are what drew me to anything but christianity. It is like a light went on when he explained that . This was a helpful interview for me. Thank you
When I lived in Seal Beach (sleepy little beach town in CA) I used to tune in to the local broadcasting station to watch Peggy Campy. She is a yoga instructor for senior citizens. Holding the poses and doing the breathing exercises give elderly & disabled people an improved quality of life by supporting our core strength, posture & coordination.
Having improved physical health and a Judeo-Christian faith are not mutually exclusive
I would highly recommend gentle Pilates. It does all of that without entrapping people into a negative spiritual practice
But according to exorcists it’s bad for our spiritual health which is paramount. There are other exercises that are not linked to any religious practices.
An interview like this one helps to be less naive and reinforce our faith . Thank you 🙏
In my opinion: How is it faith? G-d gives life & a way to it. Suffering you say? Suffering would not be necessary for salvation. In case you all had missed it entirely, Christ manifested in Mary. The lowly testified Jesus is Christ, not that He's Jesus. They wouldn't know Jesus to be the Christ until performing miraculous feats that only the Christ could ever do. Jesus sought out disciples who were working men - not rabbis or poor bums.
During those times if a person was poor it was considered their fault. Giving to the poor in a charitable sense would actually mean to help someone down on their luck & not to give them total socialism because of fornication or because the chose to marry & have too many children that the entire family has to work their entire childhood away while being burdened with adult economical sins of lust that ordinary happen outside of the Churche's ministry. Such a family would be bound to sin & salvation would mean something entirely different to a working class family trying to be righteous. If you were poor, it was your fault. One of the 7 deadly sins owned you.
There are a lot of problems with Catholic teachings to the point of worshiping the host agent of G-d. Why would you suppose Jesus would pray being so tempted by Satan when Jesus is G-d? Probably because someone in the Church wrote it. Seriously, that's what the Church would like us all to do so someone must have been watching Jesus the entire time even though Jesus was praying by Himself.
Jesus shown the way to overcome the fear of death that was such a problem for Moses. That's the thing Catholics gloss over. The fear of death over aspiring to be righteous.
So odd Catholic worship deals with the dead. They pray to & for the dead for help. When struggling, they cleave to the deceased in hopes of rising again. This would be forbidden as the dead were supposedly unconscious (a sleep).
The Christ has removed all obstacles from the path so that we can see the way of life. There's no way to the eternal life except through Christ & the way.
Catholics blasphemy by ritual worship of the deceased with a focus on grief. It's as though they never understood what emotional realism would be.
Belief is like walking a dog, it has to be structured otherwise it seeks its own relative truth outside what truly is.
G-d gives live, we can receive a better one if we take the path. It's not a hard one as Scripture would say His yolk is easy along with make straight & narrow.
The Church teaches an alternative version that deals heavily on a fraternal order. Why have they not received their salvation? So preoccupied with death as though life had no worth. If that's not a back slap to G-d, what is?
Wow, this has answered so many questions on why there are concerns over Yoga. As a cradle Catholic, I was regularly around Hatha Yoga, but Alex Frank has answered these so expertly.
May the Good Lord bless your mothers soul. And give you and your family peace. your in my prayers my friend.
Thank you for educating us, It is almost unbelievable how ignorants we are
yoga is not demonic
3:12 thanks for sharing it! It’s so motivated. And we can see the love that you have for our Lord Jesus 🙏 as a raised Mormon we are taught there to hate the cross 😢and when you show so much love for the cross makes me so happy for the cross, because there Jesus gave me life 🙏
Struggling with Yoga and the good it has done for me. How can it be replaced? Pietra Fitness may be the answers. Also trying to convert a future daughter- in -law who is a Yoga instructor. This session has been so helpful in giving me direction, knowledge and strength to take the next step toward my goal. Thank you so much.
Soulcore is another good one!
Praise moves is good
yoga did good for you, why would it be bad if it is doing good?
Condolences to and your wife on the death of your mother-in-law. May she rest in our Lord's eternal peace.
My condolences. It's a hugely difficult time. May she Rest in Peace. I'm so glad she died peacefully.
Great talk, fellas! Much respect.
Thank you so much for a very deep, insightful, enlightening interview & topics !! Please bring him back !
Best , absolute best, logical yet human journey….which logically leads a person straight to the open arms of Jesus Christ !! 😮❤
It would have been good to hear more from Alex - on the problems of yoga. Invite him back. Also to give his conversion story.
God Bless you Chris 💜✝️💜✨🕊️🙏
I had a very similar experience
In Hinduism and shaivism and Jesus Christ came and led me out and to Catholicism
I just joined Pietra fitness last week after watching an old interview with Alex on PWA. I searched his name for more information, becauseI have been very leery of even stretching because I wasn't sure which came first, and if it was the intent or the flow and breath. He cleared it up for me. Anyway Pietra Fitness came up with his review. They have a 14 day free trail so I joined. So far so good. At first I wasn't sure because it kinda looks like Yoga, but now I see the difference.
I'm a certified Pietra Fitness instructor and I love everything about it! The entire apostolate is beautiful, and has really helped me grow more in love with Jesus and His Church.
youtube.com/@ignatianspiritualityyoga4288
@@PAT201000 Do you do any of the online trainings?
@kristengem8809 not yet! My life & work schedules keep me from teaching more than 2 classes a week. That is on my bucket list, and will happen if God so wills it. There are SO MANY good instructors and classes on the studio that it's impossible for me to pick any favorite. Since you're in limited time, I'd recommend working through one of the series (I do the Surrender Novena at least once a year, as I constantly need that reminder!).
I never heard of Pietra fitness… how cool is that! Would you be so kind to tell me which vid with Alex you watched that clarified everything for you? TY!
Thank you very much for this informative interview. I was questioning why couldn’t I go to yoga with my friend
Mr S I don't understand why you continue to try to find loopholes for Yoga when you would not consider such a thing with other temptations. What brings us closer to God, is the only question we should ask. Great interview!!
Fantastic talk.
So many golden nuggets of information here. However this is gold that will never dull, or get stolen. This will enrich me for life.
Incredibly interesting and profound experience of this gentleman. I will continue to pray for his strength and his love for God! It was very very interesting and enlightening, and I did have done yoga, but only is like a stretching exercise think I’ll just be figuring that one out on my own as far as exercise no more yoga!
I have been practiced yoga for a very long time and never had any intention to stop practicing. A friend of mine knew that I practice yoga and told me to stop, but he didn’t tell me why. So I kept practice thought that it’s just an exercise. Until later on the years one of my church friend told me and send me the link and I read it. I STOPPED practicing yoga immediately no hesitation. Thank you God for given me the wisdom to recognize what’s good for my spiritual life and my relationship with him. Now I found different exercises that I enjoyed and make me feel good both spiritually and physically. Praise you Jesus!
I think you can do yoga,and practise it without all the mundo, jumbo. My wife suffered from back pain and back issues for years ( chiropractors, acupuncture, she staying away from medicating - she doesn't want start down that road - other than over the counter for time to time) she started doing yoga about a 6 month ago and she hasn't had any recurring back problems now. - Next thing they'll come up with massaging is a sin.
Awesome update, that every person on earth need to hear, God bless🙏
I love yoga. It is a wonderful healing practice! I am Catholic and I am able to do yoga, thank you.
I don’t think you paid attention to anything in the video. Catholic should not do yoga, because it is Hindu worship. It is a violation of the first commandment.
Pride keeps us from welcoming God in our lives.
You have my deepest sympathy. Yes she was a child of God I know by what you just told us. God is so so good. To God be the glory, Amen. She surely is in heaven. 🙏❤💙🙏
Thanks so much for this episode, Chris. Please create a video on NLP (neurolinguistic programming). I know the Catholic church condemns it. Could you speak with Fr. Chad to speak on it
God's grace is bestowed by the Holy Spirit through the 7 Sacraments. When at the Mass we are blessed and participate. And we can attend every day either at a Church or thankfully through the technology God has allowed mankind to develop. Which is an amazingly wonderful blessing that wasn't available less than a hundred years ago.
First time here and have to say 😮 what a refreshing breath of fresh air! Love this interview, the topic and great guest 🙏🙏🙏
I used to practice yoga exercises before minus the meditation. In the meditation part I prayed our Catholic prayer instead. Only to find out that this is not right at all. One brother in our Catholic apologetic group told me to stop it. He told me for fitness purposes, do the Pilates exercises instead. I did. Thank God I have learned it earlier.
Sorry for your loss. My mom just died, too, and not easy; but what I learned, we lives, in order to have a happy death…but Yoga isn’t for a Catholic, since life it’s already ups and down, and Christ already redeemed us in the cross, so that everything will go straight to him.Amen⚜️
Deepest Sympathy. Prayers.
The point: Catholics/Christian’s can NOT do yoga.
Chris, you tried, multiple times, to get Alex to say Catholics/Christian’s could do yoga, as long as they didn’t know or agree with the reason/yogic spirituality behind the poses. Alex continued to quote the Yoga magazine, one cannot do the poses without embodying the spirituality. Even if one has no idea that a yoga pose is inviting the demonic, it still occurs. Why would anyone want to risk their soul for yoga poses? There are plenty of exercises that are not yoga.
Back bending is so important to health especially in our current lifestyle of bending and looking down at screens. It’s very difficult to find any other form of exercise that will do this safely besides a yoga class. Even then it can be tricky bc a lot of yoga classes suck. Spending money on nonsense has more demonic force behind it than yoga does… pray people find god and lessen their pain and suffering instead of wasting time thinking yoga is demonic
Yeah, brother - same thing happen on my path back. Thanks guys for this show. I had the answer from the beginning, just didn't see it till now - thanks for a great start mom.
What does it mean to "not participate in yoga?" If the exercises were taken from Western gymnastics then what is the spiritual connection to yoga?
Chris, it’s easy. You show me where there’s a single plenary indulgence attached to a yoga stretch, And I’ll show you a camino that does.
Here in Ireland many Irish do yoga. Many have no idea Catholics shouldn't be practising it.
I was in yoga for over twenty years and was a yogi too. I taught meditation and yoga and lived on a yoga ashram went Christ pulled me out and back to the Catholic faith.
Amen. Ive known this for 3 decades. Still, people get mad. I did yoga once at 24. Unaware. I left my body and flew through the ceiling. No thanks!
Interesting @happy777abc I discovered I had done that when I was coming to after having grand mal seizure.
This is vastly unknown. Not until my wife brought it to my attention 2 years ago. I'm a cradle Catholic...58 years old.
So sorry to hear of your loss.
yoga, as exercise, without any prayers, is fine with me as a Catholic. the movements are physically beneficial.
No. All poses are prayers to different gods. By doing these poses you are opening yourself to demonic
@margaretwojda4705 That's just malarkey. a person is moving or posing, and they happen to do a yoga move, and it's a prayer to some nonexistent gods? Do you know when we sleep, many people are in the Pose of the Dead?
Christ is my fortress. Who should I fear?
thanks for this video! Praise the Lord! Alex had given a great explaination on what is Yoga. I will definitely sharing with friends who are catholics and into yoga. they need to stop doing it.
Years ago when I was a pagan, I was taught that in the Eastern beliefs, such as Hinduism, there is no judgement. The ultimate goal is to reach Nirvana, or in many pagan beliefs the goal is to become sn Ascended Master.
And in order to reach Nirvana or the highest consciousness of an Ascended Master, the person must have all life experiences. So therefore they must be a murderer, they must be a pedophile, they must be a thief as well as being a person who does good things.
Therefore in the wheel of reincarnation there is no judgement because maybe that is where they are in their life experiences.
(Even as a pagan I thought that was a load of garbage.) But then in this present life or the next life, that person who did horrible things would be punished by Karma.
Anyway, I thank Christ Almighty that I've been Catholic since November 2014.
Catholicism makes perfect sense. ❤️
My Condolences 🙏🏼May she Rest In Peace🌹🕊🙏🏼♥️
Thank you Chris..lovevyour show.
10:00 I think that’s the worldview. The evil one wants to make people distrust the Church as he made Adam and Eve distrust God. Jesus said, “The servant is not greater than the Master.” John 15:20
Very important episode. Thank you.
I do distrust the Church because of everything that has happened in the past and still happens now. I don't distrust the teachings of Jesus and I believe in Mother Mary, etc. But it doesn't mean I have to be blind of the issuesin the Church and its actions. If it was a political party or a car dealer, many of us would have dumped them for less.
@@jgappy5643 The body of Christ is made up of saints and sinners, but you don't throw out the baby with the bath water, so to speak. There are some people that have gravely offended God, but that's not the majority of faithful Catholics.
@@jgappy5643 I wouldn’t leave Peter because of Judas. Jesus says he built a Church. I don’t take that lightly. ✌🏼🕊️🩵
So a person is being guided away from the grace of God by doing the physical yoga exercises and not capable of giving less of a shit about attaching spiritual worth to it still? Yoga is hard. That’s my body working to do stretches and hold static poses that push physical limits. Working to stay healthy and give my body longevity I don’t see as as lack of appreciation for what God expects of me. I’m immediately reminded of the need to be wise as serpent and innocent as dove
According to T.K.V. Desikachar, a prominent yogi and son of Krishnamacharya (mentioned in this video) said .“Yoga is not a religion and should not affiliate with any religion”. I believed it can be practiced by anyone of any faith. As long as you are breathing and paying attention on purpose, you are doing yoga.
Don't fool yourself dear. Yoga came from Hinduism.
God bless you and your family
What about TAI CHI.????
Is it "safe"???
It has sooo much health benefits!!!
One Truth they have is meditation on the mantra aham which means "I " and in Christianity can be understood as the Name of God "I AM"
quit my yoga membership of 3 years... i was practicing for over 20... when we did a shiva pose, and i was confirmed Catholic... i knew it was over
My condolences to your mother-in-law!
I had started Yoga when I had an ectopic pregnancy with a large cyst in front of it. I never returned to Yoga after that. Do I want to be that sick ever again? No.
I am little confused. Wouldnt there be a difference between fitness and spirtual practice of yoga. Because PT etc use some of these poses for therapy. How about Pilates etc or therapy stretches that is basically yoga?
There is religion neutral yoga.I practice these physical exercises daily since 25 years.Catholic priests have many times invited me to teach it to other Christians.Your ideas are not based on facts
I'm trying to follow the logic here: Yoga as a spiritual practice is not the same as the gymnastic poses appropriated by some Hindu Yogis in the 20th century. Because of these Yogis' spiritual intent to awaken the Kundalini with these appropriated asanas such as the warrior pose, even if you are not intending to awaken the kundalini with the pose, the effect will be the same because it is the intent of these yogis? Would the effect be the same if a different instructor led the classes with no spiritual intent? Or consider if the warrior poses were appropriated to be symbolic of a murdering deity,is the pose being re-re-appropriated without any spiritual intent in turn by most folks who are looking for an exercise class? I don't know the entire history of Yoga in the West but it seems there was a mixture of this spiritual element with aerobics exercise fostered by certain yogis in some circles before it evolved into your local gym offering Yoga classes that have no purpose other than to break a sweat. It seems there are some who want to push for a more spiritual side to the practice but most people approach it with a secular lens. I suppose I disagree with the idea that these particular yogis' intent(the kundalini awakening ones) in the symbolic gesture effects another's personal intent,especially if in the case of these poses they already existed in a secular context.
While there might be dangers, just stick with the more physical aspects. This one can do on one's own if one is worried about a teacher that might lead them, unwittingly, into some alternate spirituality (other that Catholicism) I'd say the Church has more to worry about from the local Teacher's Union and Disney than any sort of guru at the YMCA.
You asked your guest if the stretches & poses that have been borrowed from gymnastics are dark. Instead of answering, your guest launched into an explanation about the meaning of moral objects and did not answer your question. Why is that? I think If he were being candid, he might have said something like, “that’s a good question. I don’t know.”
Alex, May GBYJ🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼♥️♥️♥️🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
Thank you 🙏🏻
Yoga postures stretch our body in a way our focus shift away from our energy centre and large energy is drawn out of the life force within. Though this would enhance our manifesting capacity but our focus which is supposed to be within and worship the god within move out to the action bands and we live a life based on actions and the excitement it gives. We are here to worship God or maintain our focus within and take the right kind of energy from within which we would experience as guidance and inspiration. Yoga makes you very worldly , you draw high energy from within and live a life of excitement and so depression followed by it.
We just moved cross country and looking for a church. One has an ad in the bulletin for their yoga classes there at the church. Nope, won't go back.
Simple, the answer is NO to yoga. Yoga, from what I’ve gathered is a loophole for the devil to manifest himself gradually or if conscious in a rapid manner. Knowing or not knowing does not take away the reality of certain things. There are absolute truths that despite of one’s knowledge can still affect you. You only have one soul! I wouldn’t open the door to certain spiritual activities that may be detrimental for your salvation. There’re many forms of exercises and stretches that can benefit your health, yoga is not the only way. Remember that you don’t have to justify things that are good. Therefore, it would be wise for those who want to achieve salvation and perfection to stay away from the practice of yoga.
Maybe you could develop hagiography yoga. Say that the prayer poses are to various saints.
Should yoga be taught at a Catholic School? My daughters high school offers it as an elective instead of gym class. I’m really not happy with the idea of teenagers doing yoga. It’s one thing for an adult to choose what they do for exercise. But to teach at a Catholic school. Any suggestions for getting the school to see the dangers of offering this?
my catholic mom and i do yoga twice a week. Its not "spiritual" or any kind of hippie, new age, crystals and astrology bs, its purely focused on health and fitness. Yoga has really good stretches that activate your core and train your muscles to maintain strength while retaining flexibility.
"But hindus invented it"
Yeah well muslims invented forks and algebra and you use those everyday soooo🤷🏻 just because you utilize something thats effective doesnt mean you suddenly believe in every cultural and religious thing thats tied to its origins.
Also, Isnt part of being a catholic or just a christian in general knowing that Jesus TRIUMPHED over hell? You're not aupposed to fear the devil or live in constant paranoia of demons getting you. Maybe you dont trust In the power of god enough idk.
Please explain 30:51 the "don't be scrupulous" part more/elaborate. I think the host contradicted what he (and the bible passage he was referring to..) not out of deceit but I think he didn't comprehend what the guest was saying.
I have to say that I've never seen or experienced yoga in the way that it's being described.
Physical postures, breathwork, body awareness. That's about it. Almost 30 yrs later, I don't see it any other way.
Meat and potatoes.
Don't even ask me what the sanskrit names of postures might be. It's not important. I don't care.
Anatomy is anatomy. That's a matter of science, not spirituality.
It's awfully simple unless you want complication which has never interested me at all.
If you're seeking complication, you are already having challenges with your faith if it's threatened by a yoga posture.
Complication manifests in the presence of a fragile faith.
I will never tey it
By Help Of Gods Grace Nor,I will send it
In Jesus Grace
Amen
She evangelized like a Disciple and gave love to hungry hearts.
Brilliant
A good interview for certain, but would have been more pleasant if the host would have given the guest ten minutes or so to just tell his story before he started interrupting him and talking a little too much himself.
I found out from a priest from India serving in the US that he practices and teaches yoga and connected meditation .I had been told by a Dominican confessor that anyone who has practiced yoga and used various words like mantras to confess it. (Portals to evil things can be opened). This Indian priest got very defensive and denied it and then told me that he teaches and practices it, I trust the Dominicans, especially this particular priest who has studied that matter for years; but, what should I do? I won't go to confession anymore but do attend when he celebrates daily Holy Mass and pray for him while feeling very uncomfortable.
I am an Indian. I can say 💯 that yoga is demonic. Many Indian priests and nuns fell in the trap of yoga
Find a priest at a TLM, a good traditional priest, they will be honest with you in the confessional, sadly it's getting rarer to get a good priest, that said, practicing Yoga is spiritual, demonic, we cannot incorporate paganism into our lives/faith, if you get a old missal (pre 1960s ideally) they have a lovely guide for making confessions. Anyway, I know there are good priests everywhere, but the reason I mention TLM is because the probability is higher you'll meet a priest that knows the catholic faith and will actually be able to help/guide you in your confession and give advice.
If he's the only priest you have access to, you should still go to confession through him even if he is wrong on those matters. The sacrament is still effective.
I'm sorry you had this experience from an Indian priest. I'm Indian myself and yoga is often marketed as a secular exercise when it's not! There's so much syncretism and heresy here, but there are many priests who are good. I suggest you connect with a priest of the eastern/traditional rite. Many priests are spiritually blind and some even mock at the suggestion that communion in hand is sacrilege.. Our church is like a counter church that doesn't try hard enough to thwart heresy. It's the fruit of VatII
The word "Yoga" means yoke or union. The poses (asana) is only one eighth of yoga which has eight limbs or parts. Yoga is ultimately about union with God, or God realization. Jesus taught yogic practices to the 12 disciples. How do we know this? Because Jesus spent the lost years in India and Tibet, where he was known as "Issa". When Jesus returned to Palestine to begin his public life recounted in the gospels he reformulated the yogic teachings to make eastern religion suitable for his Jewish audience in Galilee. My point is, Christianity, Buddhism and Hinduism are cousin religions. They are intimately related. I was raised Catholic but became agnostic during my college years. I rediscovered Catholicism through eastern religion. Today, I am simultaneously Christian, Hindu and Buddhist.
so messed up
Amazing
Thanks for.the video. God rest you mother-in-law. God bless your family. If I may for everyone who might not realize this (I know it is trivial- sorry) the plural of mother-in-law is mothers-in-law. The possessive is mother-in-law's and the possessive plural is mothers-in-law's. Thanks for reading.
Pilates is based mostly on gymnastics for optimum health no religious involvement.
If Jesus knew about yoga, he would advocate for it.
@lesterfernandes8061 "Christians are always putting words in Jesus mouth that are unchristian
Can you speak about so many getting tattoos and how we arevthe temple of the Lord
Into it for 11 minutes, haven't heard about Yoga at all!! So you don't know!! Grrrr.
This was very helpful to understand ( kinda sorta)
Where was son is coming from drastically leaving the Catholic faith & doing all this other “stuff”
Guest was very informative but he doesnt come across that hes in love with Jesus🤷♀️
Hes very mechanical and sort of seemed like he studied his way to Conversion
Thank you for this. So, in a nutshell, at its base level yoga is narcissistic, correct?
Yes
Christ's one holy Catholic and Apostolic Church on earth is God's Portal to His Kingdom in Heaven.
Lord Jesus is the only way, truth and life, Jesus is only true living God
What book did Alex say was pivotal? Was it Catching Fire Becoming Flame?
I listened to this discussion (and other podcasts) the other day while driving, so I'm not even sure it was this video that included the name of a book with "Fire" in the title.
One book that was mentioned was "Fire Within". A book of that same title was written by Fr. Thomas Dubay And published by Ignatius press.
@@lourdesfrance5924 thanks so much! I'll have to check my bookshelf when I get home. I'm grateful to you for responding!
I'm sorry, I missed the sad news of your mother-in-law. I am sorry for your family's loss.