I am not sure if there is a post on this, but I was wondering if it is permissible for a woman to attend a yoga class that is solely for exercise. I should ask a priest, but probably won't get around to it today. I have been stressed out lately with toddlers and expecting again (lack of sleep, naturally), and I would like to just get out of the house once during the week to do something for myself and keep me from becoming angry with the children. Obviously if I sensed the remotest bit of 'spiritual garbage' in the class, I would leave, but it seems to just be an exercise class. When I first converted I would have said absolutely no to yoga, but now am really needing an hour to myself and to just stretch my muscles! Please let me know if you have heard a priest's opinion on the matter. Thanks!

Yoga is a not something a catholic should be doing in any way shape or form.

Yoga is incompatible with Catholicism. Cited below are 15 reasons why Catholics should not practice Yoga:

15 Arguments on the Danger of Yoga

I won't do yoga, but find that Pilates has similar health benefits.  It developed from a form of medical therapy and does not have any historical associations with non-Catholic spirituality.

(I am pretty excited to be called a rad trad.  It does not happen to me often.)
 :D

I am not sure if there is a post on this, but I was wondering if it is permissible for a woman to attend a yoga class that is solely for exercise. I should ask a priest, but probably won't get around to it today. I have been stressed out lately with toddlers and expecting again (lack of sleep, naturally), and I would like to just get out of the house once during the week to do something for myself and keep me from becoming angry with the children. Obviously if I sensed the remotest bit of 'spiritual garbage' in the class, I would leave, but it seems to just be an exercise class. When I first converted I would have said absolutely no to yoga, but now am really needing an hour to myself and to just stretch my muscles! Please let me know if you have heard a priest's opinion on the matter. Thanks!

Yoga is not an efficient means of burning fat and building muscle or cardio fitness. That's just a fact.

Ladislaus says:
Perhaps go running (if the weather permits).

Short of a tornado, lightening or ice storm in real time, ain't nothin' should stop a person from running, if the person is serious about improving their health and staying consistent. I've run in (negative) -18 degree temps (factoring in wind) and I've run with snow on the ground. I've also raced bicycles in rain for over 60 miles while water was getting shot up in my face from the rear wheel of the other bike in front of me.

I am not sure if there is a post on this, but I was wondering if it is permissible for a woman to attend a yoga class that is solely for exercise. I should ask a priest, but probably won't get around to it today. I have been stressed out lately with toddlers and expecting again (lack of sleep, naturally), and I would like to just get out of the house once during the week to do something for myself and keep me from becoming angry with the children. Obviously if I sensed the remotest bit of 'spiritual garbage' in the class, I would leave, but it seems to just be an exercise class. When I first converted I would have said absolutely no to yoga, but now am really needing an hour to myself and to just stretch my muscles! Please let me know if you have heard a priest's opinion on the matter. Thanks!

Yeah, you don't want "mother fatigue."  That's bad stuff.  I think we (trads) have a tendency to be perfectionists.  I've seen moms spend way too much time with kids out of guilt and start to lose it.  Not a good situation for anybody.  Even just an hour or two every 12-24 hours, I think,  makes a big difference.  

I would say it is not a good idea. I'm pregnant with 2 toddlers as well. I empathize with you so much on this! I'm feeling the same way.

While many of the yoga classes today don't emphasize spiritualality, the pagan roots still remain. Not all yoga positions represent pagan ideas, but many of them do, even if the instructor has learned them being non- spiritual themselves. Part of yoga is the practice of breathing in which many instructors will encourage people to empty their minds and become x, y, z ( I forget exactly what they say).

One might go to the class and just simply ignore that nonsense, but that, I tend to believe, is just falling for a coy trick of the Devil. It's in these seemingly small things that we imagine to be innocent that we give the demonic consent to come on in. By participating in a class built on the foundation of paganism, despite our good intentions, we are opening ourselves up to demonic influence.

My sister used to teach yoga, and she is about as non spiritual as they come. I whole heartedly believe that it is dangerous based on the effects I observed it had on her, but more importantly because at its root, it is not compatible with Catholic belief.

Maybe you would like Pilates, as others have mentioned?

My husband and I recently made a commitment that when there is a little more daylight, we will make time in the evening for me to go on a 45 minute excercize excursion at least 3 times a week, which for me will include brisk walking and stretches before and after. A brisk walk never fails to liven my spirits!

I agree that it's absolutely important that you get out to exercise to help your mind and soul be at it's best, but please don't fall into the yoga trap!

Short of a tornado, lightening or ice storm in real time, ain't nothin' should stop a person from running, if the person is serious about improving their health and staying consistent. I've run in (negative) -18 degree temps (factoring in wind) and I've run with snow on the ground. I've also raced bicycles in rain for over 60 miles while water was getting shot up in my face from the rear wheel of the other bike in front of me.

But not everybody can do that.  Give yourself a pat on the back (oh, I see that you already have) ... but other people have to decide what they can and can't do.