I am taking a Yoga Class

Yoga is yoga - a wonderful exercise to stretch and strengthen the body. Buddhism is a religion, not an exercise. Yes, yoga was developed as a meditation aid for that religion, but that doesn't discount the very real health benefits you receive. Even postures that may feel "religious" such as prayer position are postures that bring your body and spinal cord into alignment - you do not have to convert to enjoy the health benefits yoga brings. Kung Fu was also started as a religions method, but I don't know of anyone that thinks you have to convert to enjoy martial arts. Jehovia Witnesses have many different beliefs that may seem strange to those that are not part of the religion (I've never understood the no celebrating birthdays or holidays - yes, I know "the lord made every day special", but to me thats like saying I shouldn't enjoy sunny days more than rainy ones). So perhaps to your friend this does border on what her view of her religion would not consider right or correct. I would simply tell her that although you respect her and her beliefs, you do not necessarily agree with her.

yoga is a great way to get intouch with who you are. you have to realy be aware of yourself in order to do yoga which is the best way to live. i am proud of you girl!!

Yoga is for ANY religious following..you don;t have to be Buddhist or Taoist or so on and so forth..yoga is a mind, body, spirit connection practice...Buddhism is a philosophy of life (though many do refer to it as a religion it actually isnt) Good for you for joining a class!! It really is a wonderful habit to get into IMO...I LOVE yoga and have since i was about 8 yrs old actually..with the nice weather being here finally I'll be able to get back into my practice which I'm looking forward to

I use to do Yoga years ago. I taught myself rather than take classes. I read books on it and I loved it. I wish I had kept it up and taken classes too. I don't think any classes were available around here at the time. I never thought anything about religion at the time. I had heard someone say something about Christians shouldn't practice Yoga a few years ago. I don't see anything wrong with a Christian doing Yoga and I think most people don't. God knows what is in our hearts anyway.

Hi marcia, Well kudos to u for taking Yoga classes. Its for eternal peace and u will c changes within u in few weeks. Yoga will not only give u physical or mental strength but it will give u internal peace. A reason to live. Well its ridiculous to say that yoga is buddhist or a religion. Its nothing like that. Iam hindu and iam very much into yoga. That does not make me buddhist. Iam interested to know about bible that does not make me christian either. I respect all religions as a matter of fact. Doing yoga will give u the strength and the wisdom to judge things more wisley and yr life will improve by leaps and bounds. Cheers, Tutul

i do not think yoga is related to any buddism or something like that. we are from india. yoga is practised most here.here most are hindu. its actually a way to stay fit. its not relay=ted to any religion.its very healthybthings and all these relations to religions are not correct.

I think yoga's good for the body and soul. I don't think one bit that you have to be a believer of that religion to do yoga, or if you're a different religion to avoid it. Lots of Dr's suggest yoga for all kinds of different reasons. For myself, the one Dr suggested it as a means for helping chronic pain control, and also for the benefits of stretching muscles and making myself physically stronger. The instructors correct, you can still do yoga without having to do the litany, and if you DO want to do the wording that goes with it, substitute God for the words Buddah, and when you meditate think about God. I don't think for one minute that doing yoga makes you a traitor to our own religion, nor is it disrespectful to our own religion. I'm protestant, and our youth group had some lessons in yoga positions and relaxing. From that: I don't think the church (non-budah) has a problem with it, so why on earth should I?!

I am so happy to know that you are taking yoga classes. Many have told me that it's a different kind of exercise. It helps you relax your muscles and joints. It also gives out a certain feeling of peace and harmony from within.

Hi Marcia'-there is nothing wrong with you doing yoga-i used to do too a few years ago the meditation part just quietens your mind and soul to give the peaceful feeling you get the exercises are really good for all your body and relaxing. My friend used to be a Jehovah's witness-personally i don't agree with it at all especially as they also need to 'convert' their family and friends to their religion or if they dont in the end they disown them for not beleiving the way they do-but enough on that. There is nothing wrong with doing yoga and you don't have to be af a certain religion to do it-blessings littleowl

It doesn't matter of religion but only thing is you came for to do yoga as well as meditation and sure it gives you sound result with in short time and it is not religion and it is a place you can make peaceful your self and they peace we can't anywhere so we suppose to do yoga there is no other way so i have been doing more than four years and i found great results my self and i got beautiful experiences and i can't explain by words and i can refer you one book if you fell free read it "Autobiography of yogi" written by parama hansa yoga nanda and you can get this book in every book shop and you can find the value of meditation and interesting stories and incidents in the life happend my guruji so why don't you try once. God bless you friend.

Sorry for laughing but it doesn't matter what religion you are. I think your friend is very silly and missing out on a great exercise which as you say leaves you feeling peaceful afterwards, what can be evil about that. I do yoga and I have no interest in any kind of religion western or eastern. I do it because I like it and it makes me feel good mentally and physically.

I think there is no wrong with you.It's very good for our health.I also do it before.Ihope you can go on do it.

I like Yoga, it's just a kind of sport. You can not involved in the religon of course. Yoga can keep you health if you keep it. I just do it for health and beautiful.

Actually yoga is called yog .Its an indian word i know it because i am indian.It was originated in anccient times by Hrishimunis (saint).It a good way to controll your anger too.It is good for health and we get mental as well as physicall exercise.It keep ous way form deaseas and we learn to pay full attention to the work you are doing .I too go to yoga classes and my mother is yoga expert so i allways learn from my mother,you have done a good thing that you are taking yoga classes

You go girl. Thats nice that you are getting involved in things. Yoga will be good for you, its good for your whole body. Its good for you physically, mentally and spritually.

Hiiiiiiiiii Just think Yoga as a way to stay fit and thats all. Its all depends on your intentions.

I have seen Yoga on television. I do not have much time to exercise. I do make a little bit of time to get on my treadmill and my exercise bike though. I am a baptist also and I do not see anything wrong with doing yoga. I think yoga is just a form of getting in touch with your body. I see nothing wrong with it at all.

Yoga has great health benefits. Not only for the body but the mind and soul as well. You don't have to be into Buddhism to partake in classes, but there are some beautiful philosophies that anyone can use.

in my opinion,yoga is very good for our health and temperament.I also want to take this class.just do it. have a discussion with your girlfriend, she will understand,I think.

Yoga is an exercise rather than religion, you just need to follow those movements and listen to your body. It strengthens your body and soul while you practice it. You don't have to be a believer to do it, or avoid it because of different religions. Don't think of it as a religious way to brightness and eternity as someone might suggest, if you feel peaceful afterwards, it's all that matters.