Meditation usually includes a set of physical exercises which, looked broadly, is a promising way to achieve total fitness. Photo/FILE
The Nigerian preacher whom I once thought was trying to corrupt our young (Christian) minds by exposing us to a book that taught Christian yoga hopped the twig a few months ago, God bless and rest his departed soul.
When he invited a few of us to his home and we found the book in his library we thought: “behold a heretic upon whom a Christian fatwa should be proclaimed”.
He had a sharp intellect and wore a beard (after the fashion of the one worn by Prophet David Owuor only not dreadlocked) and in those days of political ferment that was all that was needed to be branded a leftist, a Marxist iconoclast and a corruptor of youth.
He was none of that. He was a preacher of great conviction, an indomitable scholar and a very likeable person.
I don’t even remember him as much as mentioning or its merits, which is just as well because he probably would have been deported to India if he had.
My church is in the process of building a gym which initially raised quite some eyebrows among the religious secret police.
The fundamentalists couldn’t quite figure out where the proponents of the gym idea had in mind.
Finally it was agreed a gym complete with steam baths and saunas wouldn’t offend our Christian sensibilities but a massage room would. That was a good compromise.
I have no idea whether Christian yoga will be allowed at the gym.
Am not even sure the religious police will leave those who want to exercise in peace especially if they go through the Bible and find that the word gym doesn’t appear in the good book.
The Bible only refers to athletic metaphors for spiritual training but hardly expressly encourages sporting activities. And if it is not in the Bible, well, it is not there.
The Bible recognises the value of physical exercise, though priority is given to prayer, singing psalms and maybe speaking in tongues for those who love unscripted noise.
“For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” 1Timothy 4:8.
I suspect, though, that gyms were given short shrift in the Bible for the simple reason that carpenters, fishermen and tent-makers wouldn’t stand the sight of weights and treadmills after their daily physical exertion in the workshop making beds and hauling nets to and from the Sea of Galilee.
Eastern religions have an important place for physical training.
It is believed the physical enhances the spiritual and vice versa.
Meditation usually includes a set of physical exercises which, looked broadly, is a promising way to achieve total fitness.
Most oriental schools of martial arts have their roots in specific religions.
Western secularised appeal and commercialisation has of course blunted the religious dimension and what are now emphasised are their physical and psychological benefits.
Kung Fu originates from Buddhism, Tai Chi is associated with Taoism, Aikido is practised by adherents of Shintoism and Yoga has its roots in Hinduism.
Christians are uncomfortable with, say, yoga, because of its religious roots but there is no denying, even by its detractors, that yoga exercises immensely benefit practitioners physically and psychologically.
Isn’t it possible for individuals to enjoy their preferred exercises without necessarily getting involved in their religious root?
Well, it is and some Christians who believe in a brave new world are already making efforts to integrate Christian beliefs with physical exercises adapted from yoga and other martial arts.
Laurette Willis, for example has developed (Christian?) stretching exercises (Praise Moves: The Christian Alternative to Yoga, and Basic Steps to Godly Fitness: Strengthening Your Body and Soul in Christ).
A systematic approach to integrate physical exercise with Christian faith and psychological well-being is what is needed, that is what I say.
That will shut up the Pharisees and the fundamentalists who would rather die obese first than be seen walking in the direction of the gym.
“After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it.” (Ephesians 5:29.)
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