Author:
Publication: Sify News
Date: November 21, 2002
An English vicar has banned yoga
from his church because he fears the exercise classes could lead participants
on a path to "eastern mysticism", The Telegraph reported today.
The Rev Richard Farr, of St Mary's
in Henham, on the Essex-Hertfordshire border, said he had enforced the
ban after Tom Newstead, the yoga instructor, had confirmed that the ultimate
aim of yoga was to enable participants to "ascend to a higher spiritual
plain".
"We are here to tell people about
Jesus and his exclusive claims. It seems completely inappropriate that
we should give someone a platform who is advocating different spiritualities,"
Farr told The Telegraph.
Newstead, whose classes included
several members of the congregation, was said to be "stunned" by the ban.
Yoga, based on an Indian system
of exercise and philosophic meditation, has supporters in the medical profession
who say it can relieve stress as well as help with spinal and muscular
ailments.
Howard Kent, founder of the Yoga
for Health Foundation, rejected Farr's stance, pointing out that a Benedictine
monk was one of the organisation's instructors and that clergymen were
among "our most enthusiastic members". "It does involve an approach to
life but it is not one that in any way interferes with Christian teaching,"
he said.
The ban on yoga will stay, Farr
insisted.
