This is my email exchange with a Hindu gentleman who thinks yoga is strictly a Hindu practice. He was upset with me because we teach yoga at my church. It gets really creative and amusing when he talks about being a Certified Baptism Instructor. :-)
———————————————-
What you are doing in the name of Yoga is extremely ignorant and insulting. Your analogy citing that Hindus own Yoga is like saying Hindus own prayer is fatally flawed. Like so many you confuse generalities and specifics. Prayer is a general term while Yoga is not. Is there Hindu Christmas and Easter? According to your “logic,” of course. Your mean Christians own Dec. 25th?
Real Yoga is Hinduism; taught by Hindus and never for a fee. You are insulting Hindus and Christians.
Swami XXXXX
(Name of business and website)
PraiseMoves » Why A Christian ALTERNATIVE to Yoga?
—————————–—————–
Swami XXXX,With respect I am not forwarding your email to our leadership. Your words seem hateful and angry. I think you might have valuable information and much to teach Christians that practice yoga, but your judgmentalism leaves no room for dialogue or education. In fact, I feel your email is not in the spirit of what you would consider Hinduism or yoga.Quotes are never exact on news articles. Our description and explanation on CNN was much more than what you are referring to in your email and we have done some studying in this and tried to give an educated response. I apologize if what we said was hurtful and I would’ve hoped for respectful dialogue. But I assume that won’t be the case.
Be well.Rev. Mike Gregg
——————————-
Sir,There is nothing hateful in the above. It is simply a fact that you, like so many, are completely ignorant of the facts of Yoga and thus insulting to all involved. I am always to have a mature discussion–it is inconsiderate of you to think otherwise. It appears you are looking for an excuse to not communicate. To put the whole phony yoga problem into perspective, think for a moment if a Hindu were to hold classes in Baptism. One could boldly claim: “I am a certified Baptism teacher and therapist. Baptism is, of course, an underwater exercise business. Now, some Christians claim to own Baptism but that is like saying that Christians have a hold on taking a therapeutic bath. We also offer Power Baptism, Pre-natal Baptism, etc., etc. and whole line of Baptism clothing that proudly shows off your bodily curves." As a Hindu, I would be very disappointed if devout Christians did not stand against such ignorant and insulting non-sense. As ridiculous as the above seems, so, too, does the modern certified yoga therapist teacher seem to the devout Hindu. Again, please consider the facts of Yoga and the inseparable Hindu connection. If you are Christian, why not focus on your religion and leave Hinduism to Hindus and those interested in studying Hinduism/Yoga? Regards,Swami XXXXX
——————————-
I appreciate your point of view and apologize for my comments about your words being hateful. My opinion is that the word "ignorant” is used in hate. It is usually used by folks that don’t understand the background of someone else. I and our yoga teacher are not ignorant. Out teacher has had education in the history of yoga, sanskrit and is a certified yoga instructor. We might not be as educated in your point of view, but we are not ignorant. We are always willing to learn.
On your baptism thought, I guess I’m not a good Christian in your mind. Your thoughts on baptism don’t really bother me. I believe all religions have their unique ways of understanding the divine based on culture. Most religions have ritual washings and spiritual cleansing notions that use water. For me to latch on to baptism as uniquely Christian would be near-sighted and not accurate.
As far as communication is concerned, you might be right about my desire to not communicate. I’ll do my best to check my motives. However, I would really like to learn more about your beliefs about yoga and would welcome information. If you would send me the names of some books which explain your views I will pass them along to our yoga instructor so that we can be better educated on what you believe.
Again, thanks for your time.
Mike
—————————
THE BAPTISM STUDIO & T.C.S. What is Baptism? Baptism is a universal underwater exercise/therapy. Baptism is not a religion but a way of life. Baptism is a science. Anyone of any religion can benefit from Baptism. Teacher Bio: Swami XXXXX, a Hindu, is a certified Baptism teacher. Swami belongs to the Baptism Alliance and is a Registered Baptism Therapist with 500 hrs of training. Swami is also a certified Communion Teacher (see below). Fees: Group Baptism $15. Private Baptism classes $50/hr. (Same for T.C.S.) Baptism Teacher Training: We are fully qualified to offer Baptism Teacher Training. Train today to be a certified Baptism Teacher. (Ditto for T.C.S.) THE COMMUNION STUDIO What is Communion? Communion is universal wine-tasting experience. Communion has nothing to do with religion and certainly not Christianity. Hallelujah, Maranatha,Swami XXXXXXCertified Baptism and Communion Teacher; RBT; RCT; 500 hr. EBT; ECT.
———————————–
Wow. Looks like you spent a lot of time on that.Again, do you recommend any books that explain your point of view?
Sent from my iPhone
———————–
Not really. We go through this all the time. But, to continue, Since you are in the business of Baptism, I would like to come for a beginners Baptism class. How much? What do I need to wear? Unfortunately, your teacher who is claiming to be the “yoga teacher” does not communicate on this issue. As far as research: Simply look, in a dictionary and encyclopedia, the words “Sanskrit,” “Yoga,” “Atman” and “Brahman." Get any book on comparative religions and find out where is the word "Yoga.” You could, then, refer to, basically, any book on Hinduism. For example, look in the Hindu texts the Hatha Yoga Pradapika, Yoga Sutras and the Gita, to name a few. It is important to note that the understanding of the Hindu/Yoga connection is not my view but the facts. Again, you should know all of this. I will send you a few pamphlets. Regards,Swami XXXXXX
——————————————–
Thanks for the pamphlets.
Here’s a fun video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIEYEG4zFXg
Mike