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**euylvaygdq** · 10-08-2012, 04:03 PM

My yoga instructor makes us turn and literally face the sun for the surya namaskar..and the whole act stems from the sun -worshipping hindus.. I have no fatwa on it ; we dont do chants though
I think we desperately need an aalim to answer your question about fitness programs because almost ALL of them _incorporate_ yoga moves but _arent_ yoga in the true sense

Ah well, swimming is a sunnah and its a great sport too so i guess thats that.

-> bint_azam, thank you for all your help.

Sister, at some point, you have to take some responsibility for your own actions.
If your yoga instructor is presenting what you deem to be yogic religiosity or ritualistic behavior, then you are responsible to abandon that class.

Sister, I can understand how you might feel if you enjoy the class, but you are also put off by the hindu ritualism subtly injected. Yoga has been a "gateway ritual" towards polytheistic religions from India into American culture for years now. I have heard of Muslim women joining yoga classes led by Jewish yoga instructors and eventually leaving Islam from their influences.

As for a mufti rendering fatwa on every single yoga stretch, I don't think that's necessary. Individual Muslims have to determine the circumstances they are facing in each individual matter. In your case, your yoga instructor is essentially invoking a religious practice of facing the sun during whichever pose. This is different from someone teaching people basic stretching before running, or playing any sport.

Stretching and Callisthenics goes back centuries to pre combat warm ups. Even animals stretch. In fact, some stretching prior to physical activity can be detrimental and debilitating, rather than preventative or therapeutic. However, yoga IS a form of worship and religiousness born of Hindu philosophy. It's a form of worship because it consists of permanent poses, activities, at particular times, to accomplish a goal or purpose and is inheritly linked to a stated religion, Hinduism.
One can learn how to stretch without yoga, and be in physical condition without engaging in hindu practices or beliefs.

and Allah knows best.

10-08-2012, 04:03 PM	#7
euylvaygdq Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 624 Senior Member	My yoga instructor makes us turn and literally face the sun for the surya namaskar..and the whole act stems from the sun -worshipping hindus.. I have no fatwa on it ; we dont do chants though I think we desperately need an aalim to answer your question about fitness programs because almost ALL of them _incorporate_ yoga moves but _arent_ yoga in the true sense Ah well, swimming is a sunnah and its a great sport too so i guess thats that. -> bint_azam, thank you for all your help. Sister, at some point, you have to take some responsibility for your own actions. If your yoga instructor is presenting what you deem to be yogic religiosity or ritualistic behavior, then you are responsible to abandon that class. Sister, I can understand how you might feel if you enjoy the class, but you are also put off by the hindu ritualism subtly injected. Yoga has been a "gateway ritual" towards polytheistic religions from India into American culture for years now. I have heard of Muslim women joining yoga classes led by Jewish yoga instructors and eventually leaving Islam from their influences. As for a mufti rendering fatwa on every single yoga stretch, I don't think that's necessary. Individual Muslims have to determine the circumstances they are facing in each individual matter. In your case, your yoga instructor is essentially invoking a religious practice of facing the sun during whichever pose. This is different from someone teaching people basic stretching before running, or playing any sport. Stretching and Callisthenics goes back centuries to pre combat warm ups. Even animals stretch. In fact, some stretching prior to physical activity can be detrimental and debilitating, rather than preventative or therapeutic. However, yoga IS a form of worship and religiousness born of Hindu philosophy. It's a form of worship because it consists of permanent poses, activities, at particular times, to accomplish a goal or purpose and is inheritly linked to a stated religion, Hinduism. One can learn how to stretch without yoga, and be in physical condition without engaging in hindu practices or beliefs. and Allah knows best.
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