Catholic alternative to yoga blessing for diocesan Catholic

By RENEE WEBB
 Content and Design Coordinator

            Although yoga originated in India about 5,000 years ago, its popularity remains today.

            It’s a system of physical, mental and spiritual practices made up of a series of poses, breathing, chanting and meditation.

            While it sounds pretty harmless, the Catholic stance on yoga varies as it has pre-Christian origins steeped in Hinduism.

            What makes it hard for Catholics - and Christians as a whole – “is it is not black and white, it’s a gray area,” said Juliane Flanery of Sioux City, who is a former yoga instructor. “There is not a concrete answer from the church.”

Catholic Answers at catholic.com had this to say on the topic: “To engage in yoga expressly as part of the practice of Eastern spirituality, or as a way of dabbling with Eastern spirituality or mixing it with Christian prayer, is a problem. These practices, with their pagan origins and aims, go against a Catholic’s duty to worship God in truth according to the virtue of religion,” referencing the Catechism of the Catholic Church #1807. 

The site went on to say that the Catholic Church does not have a definitive teaching on the morality of yoga as simply exercising for physical health. It acknowledged that faithful Catholics could have differing opinions about the prudence of doing yoga but mentioned some argue its connections to Eastern spirituality could draw some people “into false religious practices by exposure.”

Alternative to yoga

            Flanery began to explore if there was an alternative to yoga after someone had asked her to look into it. At the time, she had been preparing to step back into the classroom as a theology teacher at Bishop Heelan High School in Sioux City.

            The questions asked of her about yoga caused to have “some stirring within” and as a devout Catholic, she felt compelled to investigate if there were other options. In time she did discover a Catholic alternative to yoga - Pietra Fitness.

            “It is a stretching and strengthening class for the whole body – mind, body and spirit,” said Flanery, who was looking for something comparable in the physical workout but “was more compatible with the journey of faith that I am on.”

            After learning of Pietra, she acknowledged she did not jump right in but discerned switching course. After she made the switch from yoga to Pietra, Flanery could feel it was right for her.

            “Through my role not only as a wife and mother, but as a teacher, I wanted to be transparently Catholic. I want to be that role model where there is no doubt who I worship,” she stressed, who became a certified Pietra instructor about four years ago but does not presently offer classes.

            Classes are available online through an online subscription at Pietra Fitness, which Flanery utilizes. It is available in gentle, intermediate and advanced and there is even a chair version.

            Podcast topic

            Recently, she spoke about Pietra on the podcast Outcast Catholic with hosts Father Shane Deman and Father Travis Crotty of the Diocese of Sioux City.

            “We have received many questions from listeners about this topic,” said Father Deman. “With Juliane’s expertise in the Catholic fitness program, Pietra, and her former involvement in yoga, we knew that she would be able to speak to these approaches of physical fitness.”

            He pointed out that the Catholic Church recognizes the benefits of physical fitness, knowing the proper balance between a healthy body and healthy soul.

            Father Deman explained that exercise is restorative to a person’s health and gives the faithful the opportunity to meet God in “deeply incarnational” ways.

            “How meditation is incorporated into physical fitness should be done within our Christian tradition and can be achieved through the Pietra program,” said the priest.

            Flanery explained that each Pietra class begins and ends with the Sign of the Cross. Christian prayer, music and Scripture reflection are incorporated into every class and a San Damiano Cross is displayed. The name – Pietra – means rock in Italian, symbolizing building a strong foundation and ties in further with Catholic tradition as St. Peter was the “rock” on which the church was built.

            “Some might claim that yoga is a harmless form of exercise,” said Father Deman. “Yet in it, one can be spiritually vulnerable to meditation exercises, gestures and postures that point to Eastern spiritualities, which do not recognize what God has revealed in the creation and redemption of our bodies and souls.”

            Sharing story

            Stressing she does not want to shake her finger at or judge anyone for practicing or teaching yoga – some of whom are good friends and are dear to her heart - Flanery wanted to share her story and “let them know there is something else out there. I’ve heard Father Mike Schmitz talk about the difference between ignorance and indifference so once I knew there was something else out there, I gravitated toward getting the certification in Pietra.”

            As a Christian disciple, she said it was her job to love and to accompany others to something more in their faith. 

            While both Pietra and yoga focus on the mind, body and spirit connections, Flannery noted that rather than trying to empty your mind as with yoga, Pietra helps to fill the mind and direct thoughts towards God and everlasting life.

            In the end, she would like to give people food for thought on this subject.

            Flanery stressed the fact that this is not intended to portray an “us versus them” mentality nor a competition with yoga.

            “It’s a way to connect faith to life and life to faith,” she described, noting Pietra could be more compatible with their faith journey, supporting them not just physically but spiritually. “We sometimes shortchange the importance and necessity of that nourishment. Try it for yourself and see – there is nothing to lose with a two-week free trial. It has been a blessing in my life.”