Can Christians Do Pilates? Is It Religious?

[sweetchild]

Hi,

I'm really interested in Pilates. But my Christian friends say it has got some religious origin. Is it true? To me, it's just a form of exercise and really suitable for my health condition. Do u think it's alright for Christians to take this form of exercise?

 

[LynnMcG]

My husband and I talked about this a few years ago in reference to Yoga. I took yoga in college and found at the end, when we meditated on a point of light that I almost had this out of body experience - that's the best way to explain it. It was weird. You do meditate in Yoga so my husband suggested meditating on the Word instead of what the instructor told you to meditate on. If you approach yoga like this, as a form of exercise, instead of part of Hinu religious practice, this should work.

Now I do Pilates and there is no meditation, like there is in Yoga. So I see no reason why a Christian couldn't do Pilates. I hope you decide to do it. They're really great.

 

[Agape4u]

I recently caught the tail end of a radio program that was discouraging Christians from doing yoga and pilates due to the eastern religous ties that it has to them. I'd pray about it and see what God says.

 

[Oblivious]

Sweetchild, I'd advise you to go out and buy a Yoga or Pilates workout DVD. Put the TV on mute, crank up the stereo and go for it! I do it all the time. Not all Yoga & Pilates workouts focus on the religion aspect anyway. Don't sacrifice a great workout by thinking you have to have the religion aspect because you don't.

 

[LifeToTheFullest!]

Exercise, by all means. Pilates, Yoga, tai chi, whatever, just do it. Change the name of it if you need to, but just get busy. And no, eastern thought and religions won't infect you if you participate in these. Utter nonsense.

 

[Mashley]

I've done a few Pilates workouts on video. I'm not sure about the origin of Pilates, but usually in the videos they concentrate on breathing, focusing, and making your body into the shape you want. I haven't seen anything wrong with the videos yet.

 

[growingupinhim]

I recently caught the tail end of a radio program that was discouraging Christians from doing yoga and pilates due to the eastern religous ties that it has to them. I'd pray about it and see what God says.

I agree with you...

 

[LifeToTheFullest!]

I agree with you...

I'm pretty certain God wants you to be healthy. There is no such thing as "christian" exercises and "non-Christian" exercises, just exercise.

 

[SnowDove]

From what I have gathered and heard, Pilates was formed as a sort of alternative to Yoga...an alternative to work out without the meditation. Maybe I'm wrong, but that's what I've heard. I see nothing wrong with Pilates...or Yoga for that matter. I have a Yoga tape that I use sometimes, and I can't even take the dude seriously. My favorite is, "Fuse your nostrils to your brain!" LOL...how can you "meditate" when laughing while in the downward-facing-dog position?! Heehee...

 

[fitmom]

As a Christian (a conservative one too) and a certified Yoga instructor, I am encouraged by the comments on this thread. Pilates was developed by Joseph Pilates, and it does take some forms of yoga movement, however, it DOES not have an origin in religion. Check out a book or search Google. And I do have guided meditation in my class, no mantra's or chants, just breath and relaxation techniques. Very safe, very wonderful, you just need to check out the style of Yoga that the instructor is teaching, or sit through a class? God Bless, J

 

[sweetchild]

As a Christian (a conservative one too) and a certified Yoga instructor, I am encouraged by the comments on this thread. Pilates was developed by Joseph Pilates, and it does take some forms of yoga movement, however, it DOES not have an origin in religion. Check out a book or search Google. And I do have guided meditation in my class, no mantra's or chants, just breath and relaxation techniques. Very safe, very wonderful, you just need to check out the style of Yoga that the instructor is teaching, or sit through a class? God Bless, J

So what style is not right? Did yoga affect your walk with God at all, since everyone is saying that we should watch out because of the spiritual roots it has?

And since Pilates takes some form of yoga movement, does it then has any spiritual roots tied to it?

 

[fitmom]

So what style is not right? Did yoga affect your walk with God at all, since everyone is saying that we should watch out because of the spiritual roots it has?

And since Pilates takes some form of yoga movement, does it then has any spiritual roots tied to it?

In re. to Pilates, please research this on Google or read a book on it, Pilates is hard to explain in short. It is basically very controlled/intentional movement, some on mats, some on equipment. The founder had nothing but exercise in mind, he was an extreme asthmatic, this was his primary motivation. Look it up, it is very interesting.
People do yoga poses in exercise classes all the time, and they don't even realize it. So many exercises and stretches have their origins in yoga. I teach Hatha yoga, a westernized style that focuses on asanas (poses), balance and breath. We all need to breath, and we all need to use our entire lung capacity, again, research this yourself, it is very interesting. There are styles of yoga/instructors that I would not practice because it does cross the line into pagan worship etc.
And NO, my walk with God has not been negatively affected, He blesses me every day, I have grown in HIM a lot lately.
Excellent questions on this thread, but people need to get books, search Google, check classes out themselves - WAY too much misinformation out there.

 

[mbotz72]

i have done pilates and yoga a lot- I see absolutely nothing wrong with these workout videos...

 

[chozo]

uhh..so what? Who cares if it dates back to some religion? It's an exercise, you aren't worshipping any gods by doing it.

 

[sweetchild]

uhh..so what? Who cares if it dates back to some religion? It's an exercise, you aren't worshipping any gods by doing it.

well some pple say that the positions might be a form of worship.. so it's not that good.

Sigh so much contradictions

 

[fitmom]

well some pple say that the positions might be a form of worship.. so it's not that good.

Sigh so much contradictions

Like I said before, a LOT of misinformation out there. I understand your confusion, and respect your hesitation to involve yourself in something that may hurt your relationship with the Father. You should always be this careful. Follow my advice, please research this yourself, go observe a Hatha Yoga class, I have welcomed people to observe my classes. Please persue your interest in this fitness activity, I am also an aerobics instructor and personal trainer so I am familiar with the 'industry', and I beleive that Yoga and Pilates contribute a great deal to our well being. God Bless, J

 

[growingupinhim]

I'm pretty certain God wants you to be healthy. There is no such thing as "christian" exercises and "non-Christian" exercises, just exercise.

There is the world and thier is living for God...whatever you do, do it to the glory of God..if excerscies are rooted in false religious systems its best we avoid them..

 

[Oblivious]

well some pple say that the positions might be a form of worship.. so it's not that good.

Sigh so much contradictions

Please don't take this as being rude, but you are waaaaaay overthinking this. It's exercise!!! I didn't even know Yoga had anything to do with religion until I got on this forum and heard everyone being paranoid about it!

 

[fitmom]

Please don't take this as being rude, but you are waaaaaay overthinking this. It's exercise!!! I didn't even know Yoga had anything to do with religion until I got on this forum and heard everyone being paranoid about it!

This is a very good point, we do need to carefully choose the Yoga class we attend, this is very true, but if you are interested in Yoga, check out a Hatha Yoga class or one that focuses on the poses, breath and balance. Simply ask the question "Is there mantras", if the answer is yes, don't go, I WOULD NOT. I rep. for Oblivious, God Bless, J

 

[RMB62]

It is stuff like this that turns me off to religion at times. I am a Christian and Christ is my savior, but there are too many people out there that would have you live in a closet with no communication with the outside world. Do the ones telling you about pilates and yoga celebrate Christmas? Read up on that, most Christian holidays are converted pagan celebrations. Do what it takes to get in shape and do it for yourself and as unto God and ignore the so called know it alls. They are probably guilty of the sin of gluttony and are jealous of you. Sorry to ramble, but it just irks me when people try to build mountains out of molehills.