Catholic university bans ‘mystical’ yoga
Institute in Kansas worried about spiritual dimension of practising yoga
London, April 14: A US Catholic university has banned yoga classes over spiritual and cultural concerns.
The Benedictine College in Kansas fears has planned to rename its yoga course after fears that the practice “has some potential for eastern mysticism”.
The recreational yoga courses will be reworked to ensure they are solely focused on physical exercises, said Steve Johnson, director of marketing and communications. “We are changing the name so it’s a class without spiritually and culturally sensitive content,” he said.
Yoga classes will now be called “Lifestyle Fitness”, the Independent reported.
According to The Wichita Eagle, an article in the university’s student newspaper The Circuit had raised concerns over the spiritual and mystical element of yoga.
The college president, Stephen Minnis, told the campus newspaper : “Yoga as created has some potential for eastern mysticism which has caused concern among members of the Catholic Church.”
He said he was unsure if the “spiritual harm” of yoga would affect the Benedictine College campus but it was “better to be safe than sorry”.
Yoga is commonly practised for its health and mental benefits. But its roots in eastern religions has concerned local Catholic leaders.
Chancellor for the Archdiocese of Kansas City Rev. John Riley told the local newspaper that yoga was more than just exercises, breathing and meditation. “It is a mind and body practice developed under Hinduism, the goal of which is spiritual purification that will lead to a higher level of understanding and eventually union with the divine,” Riley said.
“It is for these reasons that Catholics are alerted to the dangers of the practice of yoga and are encouraged to look for other exercise alternatives that do not incorporate a spiritual dimension.”
If Catholics want a spiritual alternative to yoga, they should look for something like Pietra Fitness, Riley told the local newspaper. The practice uses Christian prayer and meditation.
Prominent Hindu cleric Rajan Zed has urged the college not to “abolish” yoga. — Agencies