As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.-Joshua

I have been approached about hosting classes on tai chi and yoga so I wanted to take some time this week to talk about why I do not practice either.  First a little information about what Tai Chi and Yoga are.

Tai chi, also known as moving meditation, is a mind-body practice that originated in China as a martial art. Its three major components are physical movement, meditation and deep breathing.  Tai chi is based on the belief that there is a vital life force called qi that regulates a person’s body, mind and spirit. These movements, called forms, have a nature-based name, such as “grasp the bird’s tail.”  While performing these movements, individuals focus on a point on their bodies believed to be the center from which qi flows.

Yoga is a Hindu spiritual and ascetic discipline that involves basic movements that are prayer positions.  Yoga involves physical postures, asana, relaxation techniques, savasana, breathing techniques, pranayama, meditation, and instruction. While many individuals begin yoga for physical health benefits, some continue it for spiritual reasons.  Over time the more people practiced yoga, the more likely they were to decrease their adherence to Christianity and to adhere to non-religious spirituality and Buddhism.

 Source: The ruff guide to yoga https://www.pinterest.com/pin/230316968421373907/

For more information, read http://www.spiritualdirection.com/2014/01/29/what-is-yoga-catholic-perspective-part-i or http://www.lifelibertyandlove.com/should-christians-do-yoga-part-1-of-2/ or http://www.womenofgrace.com/blog/?p=338

For many years I lived in pagan land and have no desire to return there.  It took me 49 years to come to know Christ and I will do nothing that even remotely harms my relationship with Him. So, as for me (and my household), I will leave the qi behind and pray to the Holy Spirit, the Lord and giver of life.  I will practice stretching and flexibility exercises that put my body through its entire human range of motion, I will breathe the air that God created into the lungs that He endowed me with, and I will let the beating of my heart grow ever more closely to that of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary.  When I need to meditate, I’ll practice some lectio divina or Ignatian spiritual exercises.

In the Spirit of Christ, I remain committed to your health, Retha Lear, RN, Parish Nurse.

Look for future articles about the New Age movement as we explore items in the Catholic document, Jesus Christ the Bearer of the Water of Life.