NetG

Oh, and other opinions on yoga.... While I know people who loooove it, if I believed in hell and that we each had one based upon what would make us miserable, I believe mine would include hot yoga. Other than running during an asthma attack, that's one of the worst things I can possibly think of for me personally.

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The pews never miss a sermon but that doesn't get them one step closer to Heaven.
-Speckla

But at least the pews never attend yoga!

Josephine

Actually I'm curious too where you had a class like that. NetG was not being condescending, where did you get that? I think all of us are wondering the same.

I've only taken a few classes but I know many people that take it regularly and I would think they would've mentioned this to me if that's what they experienced in yoga classes. I'm sure there are some types of classes for hindus but that's not what yoga is all about. Also from what I hear, most people take it for muscular endurance, flexibility, and some relaxation. I don't know anyone that takes it for spiritual reasons.

It's also extreme and closeminded to avoid something just because its origins are religious based or associated with a culture with a religion different from yours. I've had a lot of issues with this personally because my parents were scared to let me do what seems like anything in life because of fear that I'd become Christian. We've even had issues with this recently because my cousin wanted certain American elements in her wedding and it became a huge issue.

spiderlashes5000

Right. And I've decided to avoid yoga. And I'm sharing my opinion about why.

You don't know what TM is?????? OMG, you must not have been attending "real" yoga classes!

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3b (with 3c tendencies) on modified CG

murrrcat

I don't know why anyone would need it to be christian, but whatever works for you. I'd go to a harry potter yoga class, not sure how that would work..... I've never heard anyone say worship something or whatever in my classes.

It's usually, Be light in your movements, etc. Think positive thoughts, etc. Get rid of all your stress etc.

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NetG

"Feel as if you're flying..." "Swish and flick..."

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The pews never miss a sermon but that doesn't get them one step closer to Heaven.
-Speckla

But at least the pews never attend yoga!

murrrcat

"now we will enter the wingardium leviosa pose, now avada kedavra lay flat on your back and remove all your thoughts and ....breathing "

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spring1onu

I'd love to try some yoga, I should get a video to try out because I'm totally not a class kind of person. My mother in law does yoga and really enjoys it, although I'm not sure sure what type. I've done pilates and really enjoyed that!

A local hot yoga place has "Yoga Hell" painted above the entrance with a picture of the devil so yeah, totally not ever going to try that. How do they keep the place from being terribly stinky with all that sweat?

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Byron,GA> Charleston, SC> Jacksonville, FL> Guilford, CT> Rohnert Park, CA! A southern drawl in sunny Cali! .
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spiderlashes5000

There is a lot of that, too. And if they would stick to that, I'd be fine. As I said, I really enjoy the physical part. And I wish there was some way to remove the spiritual. But then again, that doesn't seem fair bc it is a spiritual Hindu partice, after all. And it should remain purely that.

Yeah, I don't love the idea of forcing Christian principles or "phrases" onto yoga...which is a legitimate practice unto it's own.

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3b (with 3c tendencies) on modified CG

OBB

id join this class

murrrcat

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Anthro Incarnate

Yoga makes my butt big. I've been attending power vinyasa classes several times a week for the past year, and in that time I've gone up an entire size -- butt only; waist is still the same size. So that means instead of a one-size differential between my waist and hips/butt, I now have a two-size differential and may never be able to wear anything off the rack again. At first I was like, LOLWUT? I walk miles a day and do Zumba and watch what I eat, why am I gaining weight like this? But then I realized there is a lot of lunging and squatting, and when the instructor says we're going to work our butts, she doesn't mean make them slimmer, she means make them firmer and rounder. Great for the girls who would otherwise have pancake ass, but my butt was already round and firm and now is just stretching to comical proportions.

I love yoga.

Pilates, on the other hand, is the spawn of Satan.

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póg mo thóin

CGNYC

Wait. Yoga could give me an ass? I take it all back. Signing up for classes tomorrow.

RedCatWaves

I think you have to be programmed with ass genes for yoga to give you an ass, but it's worth a try.

wild~hair

Oh for Pete’s sake, no it doesn't.

I've been practicing yoga for almost 15 years now. If this were true, I would have turned Hindu by now, but <shock> I haven't.

It's about the same as going to a JCC or YMCA to work out — neither of those turn you Jewish/Christian either.

coilynapp

Yoga has nothing to do with being subtly pushed into any religion or way of thinking. Seriously.

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curlyarca

Of course, kind of like reading Harry Potter makes you practice witchcraft. hth

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legends

Just to clarify, I have no moral/ethical/whatever objection to yoga or Hinduism, and I don't think yoga is pushing any kind of beliefs, so please don't think my thoughts are at all like spiderlashes'. For me it's just that spiritual practices in general have zero appeal for me, and more specifically, I just can't get into meditation.

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Eres o te haces?

spiderlashes5000

I actually took my first yoga class a million years ago when I was in high school and took my most recent one about 2 years ago. And have taken them on and off (mostly off but plenty on) the whole time. The most recent set of classes was at the Y near where I live (of all places) but I have taken them everywhere, including in the atrium of the State Office Tower, Columbus, Ohio the Ohio Dept of Health, Victory Fitness Center, Lifestyle Fitness Center, Reynoldsburg, Ohio, amongst many others. Need I go on?

All of what I've posted (and more) has been said in the classes. But beyond that, I have read a lot about Hinduism (ayurveda, yoga, kama, etc.) and I understand the intent and basis of the practices. Respect it totally but made the decision not to participate bc I find it is at odds w/ my spiritual beliefs.

Yes, most Americans take it for their own reasons (which tend to be physical), but that doesn't nullify the other aspects of it.

I am absolutely fine w/ you thinking my views are extreme and closedminded. That doesn't bother me in the least.

Not sure what to tell you about your family thing...I guess each person has to determine her own comfort level.

NetG? I'll let that one go. But don't think I don't appreciate your champion ish stirring skills! Almost got me. Maybe next time LOL

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3b (with 3c tendencies) on modified CG

The New Black

That really depends on one's reasons for avoiding it, especially where it concerns religion. There are people who just don't like other religions, cultures, etc - and the problem is mostly emotional. But that doesn't sound like Spidey's reason.

She's just trying to follow her religion. Is something wrong with that? She didn't say yoga, Hinduism or Hindus are bad - or anything like that. But other religions aren't part of her belief system. Maybe she's just trying to follow what her religion says is right. I mean, criminy. We post all sorts of stories here about the horrible things people to do one another all the time. But someone who's trying to live a good life still gets criticized. Yes, I know plenty of people have done awful things in the name of religion. But to my knowledge Spidey hasn't done any of those things, and she certainly hasn't done them here.

From a Christian POV, she's not being extreme at all. I'd say it's a Christian mandate to avoid things that might steer you away from your Christian path.

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I am the new Black.

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NetG

Based on what Spidey says she has seen - I wouldn't return to those specific classes, either.

There are all kinds of things which have origins in other religions but have high levels of secular value. To me, most yoga is the same. I absolutely get not finding it appealing, and something like Spidey experienced... yeah, no thanks. I definitely go for the physical aspects of it, and ultimately it is breathing and stretching - I don't care what it's called, it isn't practicing religion in the classes I attend and yeah I would avoid it if it became some sort of Hindu prayer session. I'm confident enough in my own religion to not somehow find myself steered another way, but I absolutely detest the condescension of anyone else trying to push their religion on mine. I've only seen it from Christian-based religions, but would hate it from others, too.

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The pews never miss a sermon but that doesn't get them one step closer to Heaven.
-Speckla

But at least the pews never attend yoga!