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TechnoratiAfter a church’s ban on yoga classes sparked an uproar in the United Kingdom, a Roman Catholic priest and school principal in India weighed in, claiming that the British clergy who described yoga as a “sham,” a “false philosophy” and “unchristian” are ignorant about the practice.
“They know nothing about yoga,” commented Father John Ferreira, the principal of St. Peter's College in Agra, one of India's oldest educational institutions.
“They should first study and experience the benefits of India’s ancient science before commenting,” the 57-year-old priest told the Indo-Asian News Service (IANS) during an interview.
A few weeks ago, the Silver Street Baptist Church and St. James’ Anglican Church in England rejected a children’s exercise class because it teaches yoga.
Although the Baptist church originally granted Louise Woodcock’s Yum Yum Yoga class for toddlers use of its hall for a children’s group activity, the Rev. Simon Farrar withdrew his consent after discovering it was for yoga, according to London’s The Times newspaper.
“We are a Christian organization and when we let rooms to people we want them to understand that they must be fully in line with our Christian ethos,” the Baptist priest explained.
In defending her classes, yoga instructor Woodcock has insisted that they have no religious content at all, and only involve music and movement.
“I explained to the church that my yoga is a completely nonreligious activity. Some types of adult yoga are based on Hindu and Buddhist meditation but it’s not a part of the religion and there is no dogma involved,” she said.
“This is a class for mums and children, which has yoga-inspired moves – but as soon as I mentioned the word yoga, the church staff completely changed their attitude. They have completely misunderstood and are being narrow minded.”
Catholic principal Ferreira, who claims Yoga healed him completely from his sickness since 1981, was also met with opposition when he first began conducting his half-hour yoga class, which is now attended by over 1,500 students, teachers and office assistants every day.
“When I started these yoga exercises a month ago, there were natural reservations and opposition from students as well as parents. But I persisted. Now they all congratulate me because some have stopped suffering from colds and allergies while others are feeling more energetic,” said the priest, who dislikes when students have stooping shoulders, obese or sickly postures.
“I want them to walk straight, with chest out, shoulders raised and head held high. At their age they should be a bundle of energy. Unfortunately, parents have no time for their kids and there is nobody around for guidance,” he said, according to IANS.
Ferreira said schools need to focus on the body and mind of students, who should maintain a good shape. The Catholic leader has fervently appealed all schools in the country to make yoga mandatory, wishing for the practice to be made basic and necessary for studying youths in the country.
Farrar in Britain, however, said yoga “clearly … impinges on the spiritual life of people in a way which we as Christians don’t believe is the same as our ethos.” Continue >>
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