Is yoga a threat to Christianity? - WFAA

DALLAS — Is yoga a threat to Christianity?

It's a question being raised by Southern Baptist Seminary President Albert Mohler.  He says Christians who practice the ancient art are bending on their beliefs.

Mohler was in Dallas for an event Thursday night. he told News 8 the controversy started with an essay he wrote last month that appeared in an online blog.

He said yoga's stretching and meditative discipline is not a Christian pathway to God. Mohler said people should deny what yoga represents and see that it conflicts with Christianity.

He says he was writing about yoga's roots in Hinduism. Mohler was flooded with e-mails, but walked away learning a few things.

"I'm not against exercise," he said with a laugh. "I learned from a whole lot of Christians who think they're practicing yoga, but what they described to me is not what yoga has historically been.

Proponents of the practice say people come to yoga because they are often in pain, while others think it's a nice workout.

Other religious leaders have had the same debate. Muslim clerics have banned yoga in Egypt, Malaysia and Indonesia.

"It's clear that this struck a nerve," Mohler said. "I hope at least it's a fruitful converstation."

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Yoga for every body: Exploring yoga through classes - Arizona Daily Star

Now that you've decided to explore the benefits of yoga, how do you know what kind of yoga to do?

The first question is, should you join a class or take yoga privately? There are good reasons for each. We'll look at that in two parts. Today's column is about joining a yoga class.

In ancient times, yoga classes were for children usually between 8 and 18. Adults always studied privately. However, we don't live in ancient times and we're not all between 8 and 18, so why go to a class?

A yoga class is a good way to "dip your toes in the water" before you jump in. It's also a good way to find a community of people who share some of your goals.

Another good reason to take a class, or several, is that it gives you an opportunity to try out some of the many styles of yoga. That way you can determine what feels right for you.

Yoga should leave you feeling balanced, alert and calm all at the same time. It is an internal exploration that will leave you with a sense of self-empowerment and well-being.

Yoga should never exhaust you, although it may call upon you to work in a strong way.

According to Patanjali's Yoga Sutra 2.46, asanas (postures) are steady and comfortable.

Another criterion is the teacher. Yoga is an experiential practice, so teachers should have regular personal practices of their own.

Of course you want someone well-qualified and knowledgeable. Often instructors will be registered with the Yoga Alliance, but not always.

When I began teaching, there was no registry and students had to be discerning. Whether a teacher is registered or not, you still must be discerning.

A good teacher guides you with an open heart and has a clear understanding of the science of yoga and an ability to modify and adapt postures appropriately to enhance your practice while keeping you injury-free.

A good instructor will lead you toward a more peaceful and fuller sense of yourself while gently challenging your abilities.

Once you've found a class and teacher that fit, you're ready to embrace your yoga journey … enjoy the ride!

E-mail Vicki Jackson at foothills@azstarnet.com

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Center for Yoga opens 4th location near U-M campus in Ann Arbor - AnnArbor.com

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By: Lizzy Alfs
AnnArbor.com Intern

Center for Yoga opens 4th location near U-M campus in Ann Arbor Topics: Business Review, Downtown Ann Arbor, News Comment NowShare this articlePrintEmailSharePosted: Oct 8, 2010 at 5:59 AM [Today]

Residents looking for new ways to get in exercise around the University of Michigan campus can now add ‘Hot Vinyasa Yoga’ to the list, thanks to a U-M alum.

Jonny Kest, a 1989 U-M graduate, officially opened his fourth Center for Yoga studio on 621 E. William St., located between Jimmy Johns and Pita Kabob Grill, on Sept. 13.

Kest, who studied yoga as a teenager in India with his father, said he has wanted to open a studio location in Ann Arbor ever since he opened his first studio in Metro Detroit in 1993.

“I wanted to bring this practice back to my alumni,” Kest said. “The students have a lot of stress because it’s very competitive there. It’s really amazing how yoga helps students get through stressful times of college.”

Even though Kest opened a Center for Yoga studio on 2450 W. Stadium Blvd. last November, he said that location was not ideal for the student population and started thinking about opening a second Ann Arbor studio, in addition to his other locations in Birmingham and West Bloomfield.

“A lot of the students were having trouble getting to that location and [the students] said the campus needed a studio where they could walk,” he said.

After finding the East William property, Kest said he signed a two-year lease in August and opened the studio a month later. He said he has plans for more renovations that will take place over Christmas break, and he thinks the Center for Yoga will get plenty of business by offering ‘Hot Vinyasa Yoga’ and making prices “really affordable.”

“I think eventually this studio is going to be packed and we’re going to have to move to a bigger space,” Kest said.

Brendan Cavender of Colliers International brokered the deal and said the new studio, which is about 1,300 square feet, was previously used for general offices.

Cavender said the property is a great utilization of the upper level space and shows how dowtown Ann Arbor tenants wanting to be close to campus have to “be creative and go to second floor spaces.”

With the third floor space of the building occupied by lululemon athletica—a yoga-inspired athletic apparel company—Center for Yoga employee Sharron Wodka said she thinks the studio is in the perfect downtown location.

“I can see how this would be a great place for students to be able to squeeze in a yoga class in the middle of the day,” she said. “I can’t think of a better thing to balance out your brain activity in your day.”

Lizzy Alfs is a freelance reporter for AnnArbor.com. Reach the news desk at news@annarbor.com or 734-623-2530.

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