Just a quick question... what do people think of yoga as a way of relaxation/exercise? Is it possible to do it without the spiritual connections that a lot teach it with? Any further thoughts?

I think it's okay, but I think you probably have to do it with your brain switched on (be careful I mean lol). The yoga I've seen is all just stretches and breathing, no spiritual stuff. But some yoga places probably do the Spiritual stuff too, so just choose wisely?

I have never personally practiced yoga but I use a modified form of meditation from martial arts from time to time and there is no spiritual connection. I actually tend to use it before Bible reading so I am focused on the word.

I think it's OK without the religious aspects...but I would be embarrassed to say I was doing it, because most people think you mean all the spiritual stuff, too. I'd probably do it in the privacy of my own home but not elsewhere.

Because of my dancing, I stretch every night. It's not spiritual or anything. I don't think it's wrong to do yoga. I read in an advice column in (I belive) Brio about how to avoid any bad conotations, you should do Pilates or something other than yoga.

I've studied a lot of eastern culture in the past but I can't remember the roots of yoga. Anything attached to Zen Buddhism should really really be avoided. But if it has Taoist roots then you just have to learn the background behind what you're working with. I'd love to go more in depth, after I get out of the Corps I plan on writing a book about the relation behind ancient Taoism and Christianity. Buddism is a very destructive philosophy with very little connection to truth, and to add on to that their meditation is more of just fancy sleep.

I did more reading the background of yoga is very sketchy. It originates in a very polytheistic environment and was adapted by Buddhism which is generally a bad sign. Personally I would avoid it it's like playing with fire in a spiritual sense.

I've wondered this myself too. My parents are very anti-yoga because of its spiritual connotations, so I've never been, but I have occasionally toyed with the idea of finding a class, because there's no doubt that the stretches are good for your body. I think a good compromise would probably be what Elisabeth was saying - buy a book and do some of the work in your own home, as then you don't risk what else may be added in a class situation.

Or, even better, just do pilates. Pilates actually incorporates a few yoga exercises and principles, but there is absolutely no spiritual content to that at all.

I wouldn't go near it. I have a Wii Fit, which has yoga activities on it, but I've never done them, and never will.

Regardless of whether you go to a class and get the spiritual imput or not, the very stretches are actually linked to spiritual stuff, so it's there regardless of if you want it to be.

There are plenty of other stretches and things to do, that aren't linked to eastern spirituality (=kingdom of darkness, not Kingdom of God)

Now you see, if I did own a Wii Fit, I think I would do the yoga section on there, because I see that as simply stretches. When you're in a class, you have to carry it out as the teacher requires, and that could involve a much greater spiritual input. I know they do usually create the right "atmosphere" in classes in order to link the stretches in to the meditative aspects.

The Wii Fit has a seperate, "Muscle Workout" section which is purely stretches...those I do. The yoga I don't.

Yoga refers to traditional physical and mental disciplines originating in India. The word is associated with meditative practices in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. - I was just looking it up a bit, and that's what Wikipedia says.

I don't have a problem with the stretches part. But the "spiritual part" I don't care for!