‘Christians Must be Vigilant’: Kerala Catholic Body Stirs Row After it Says Practising Yoga is Unacceptable

Thiruvananthapuram: Almost per week after the fifth celebrations of the International Day of Yoga, the suggestions issued by way of Kerala Catholic Bishops Council (KCBC) have precipitated a debate on the nation secular implications of yoga.

“Though it may be claimed that it’s miles secular, Christians have to be vigilant in opposition to the fact that they have to be now not embracing every other religion (Hinduism in this situation) while practicing meditation,” counseled the suggestions organized by the Theology Commission of KCBC, six months in the past. It, however, shows that Yoga may be practiced for a calm and peaceful life. “Religious practices which do now not take delivery of the fact that Christ is the direction to salvation are not appropriate to Christianity. It is Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who sacrificed Himself on the Cross, who’s the only path to salvation,” reads the 27-web page guiding principle.

“Chanting prayers of different faiths and meditating on non secular icons of different faiths by using Christians whilst practicing yoga is undesirable and unacceptable,” reads the hints which become made public per week in the past. It is a non-trouble, said Sr Infant Tresa, a Catholic nun who is working towards yoga for 35 years. “I started practicing Yoga once I changed into 34 as I became affected by wheezing and back pain. In 1985, I met a yoga guru who got here to the organization, wherein I became analyzing. I informed him of approximately my health issues. He suggested me to do yoga and taught me to do it. I started to experience better after doing yoga. I was additionally given a remedy for each of the ailments. I then decided to make yoga part of my existence. Nobody cautioned me against it,” said the sister who began Nirmala Teacher’s Training Yoga Centre at Muvattupuzha in Ernakulam district following her retirement from the country fitness services.

The nun’s students, numbered in 5000, come from all walks of life. “There are docs, priests, and nuns. I am taking classes for college students from Seminary as recommended with the aid of a Bishop. If you take it religion-wise, Hindus, Muslims, and Christians stated Sr. Tresa who manages centers that give five courses on Yoga beneath Tamil Nadu Sports University at nearby towns Moovattupuzha and Thodupuzha. According to Sr Tresa, perhaps the most effective one of her kind to educate yoga, a person’s non secular belief has not anything to with the practice of Yoga. “I spent a month in Bangaluru to examine yoga. It became a Hindu Ashram. However, it did now not affect my son’s secular notion. Nothing can touch your perception as long as it’s far deeper,” she said.

New Delhi: The Delhi government on Sunday prolonged using per week the summer season holiday in town schools for college students till Class eight given hot weather situations inside the country-wide capital. The schools for up to training eight will reopen from July 8 whilst for the better classes will reopen from Monday as consistent with the sooner schedule. “Given the recent weather in Delhi, the summertime holiday for college students as much as class 8 is being prolonged till July 8. For different training, the colleges will reopen as according to in advance time table,” Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia stated. Sisodia, who is additionally the Education Minister, clarified that the order might be relevant for both authorities and private schools. Weather officers have expected that warm waves might also continue inside the city.