Please pray for the reversion of my daughter, whom is a yoga instructor. We adopted her as an infant and is our only child. She’s now 30 years old. She attended a private (non-parish) Catholic grade school, an all-girl Catholic High School and even a Catholic university (which was her choice). She attended Mass through college, but likely the only time she attended afterward is when we would visit her where she lived several states away (outside a brief time when she started going back for a while on her own). Unfortunately, a couple girls she worked with were very involved with yoga. They were going on a trip to a Caribbean island and asked her to join them. She was hooked, and began to teach yoga. Shortly afterward she started dating a man that never had any substantial faith in his life. Shortly afterward, our daughter would refuse to attend going to Mass even when we’d visit. She now is a manager of a very large club where she lead teachers/trainers in yoga, Pilates, barre, etc., and she herself teaches yoga there. Someone gave her a book on witchcraft and other ‘alternative’ practices. I’ve seen others since. Our daughter is a kind person. A hard worker. She also is aligned with ‘woke’ ideology - all the usual issues du jour. She became engaged in 2020 with the idea of getting married in 2022 (because of COVID) but became pregnant in the interim. She chose to postpone the wedding - Thank God she also chose life! Our little grandson is now almost one year old. He was premature but is completely healthy. He’s also not baptized. Everyone says that young people come back to the faith once they have a child. So far there is no glimpse of that. Please pray for the reversion of my daughter, the conversion of her fiancé and the baptism of our grandson. It is such a hollow feeling not having them in the faith. It seems impossible, but I know that through God all is possible.
I have a similar situation with my one and only daughter as well … my heart is broken and in need of prayers as well . I will remember you in my prayers . God bless .
Lord, in your mercy, hear this mother’s prayer. Keep loving her and extending grace to her. You will be the only Jesus that she sees at this point. And immerse yourself in scripture and worship as that’s where you will find strength to be faithful to Christ. Blessings.
I also have a similar story with my 2 sons. God and Mary love our children, even more that we do, and are intervening with the help of our prayers and sacrifices. Miracles and reversions are happening every day. I will pray for your daughter.
I’m in the process of converting to Catholicism. These videos have been so helpful!! Sorry, not related to yoga lol, but I’m excited and wanted to share.
This interview was absolutely one of the most important for me to hear. Being born protestant I lost almost two decades of dabbling in the New Age (buddhism, hinduism, yoga, mediums, crystals, astrology, tarot cards e t c, e t c) and it almost destroyed me 😥 I can totally relate to what Alex Frank is talking about. I knew it was demonic in my heart but I got stuck somehow and never had the words or theology to explain the why. The information Alex Frank is giving us in this interview is going to bring many lost souls (like me) to Christ and the true Church. And yes I am on my way to converting to the Catholic church and have made many supporting beautiful Catholic friends🥰 God Bless and thank you Jesus for not giving up on me🙏🏻
Interesting that most of our comments grasped yoga issue from Frank direct experience and observation. Excellent interview. Excellent. Should be printed and offered by TA host.
As a former yoga teacher, thank you for bringing attention to this topic. I have so much to say about this that it wouldn’t fit in a comment lol!! I don’t regret my spiritual journey but am so grateful that God called me back to the Catholic Church and allowed me to see how far from Him I really was. There are so many well intentioned Christians and Catholics who have no idea how dangerous these practices can be, nor why they are dangerous.
I was raised in the Catholic Church but wandered away and lived as the proverbial prodigal son for a few years. During that time I became deeply immersed in yoga and at one point I was going to become a teacher of this practice. By the grace of God I started to be drawn back to the church and part of this process was the realisation at yoga was not what I thought it was. God opened my eyes to see that the poses in yoga are in fact movements designed to worship Hindu gods, so it is idolatry really. I'm so grateful God took me away from these practices but yoga is so normalised and ingrained In the culture that it is everywhere and can't be challenged. I literally saw children being taught yoga in my local park a few months back. It's so difficult to explain to people the dangers of yoga unless they know God in the first place. Anyway just wanted to comment as I know the road you've travelled
I have had a similar spiritual journey leaving the Catholic Church and getting involved in psychedelics and Eastern mysticism. I do regret my path. I was foolish and played with powers I didn't understand, I led others astray and became puffed up with pride of spiritual knowledge and "wisdom" and became self indulgent at the detriment to a right mind and risking my immortal soul. I should have gone deeper into the Christian knowledge I was taught when I was young. But God is great and saved me from darkness and death and from myself. I have fully repented with deep regret and am now back in the Church and praying for the chance to warn others and help to keep them from abandoning Christ or to discover Him for the first time. God bless you all.
So good to hear . How would you approach someone that is practicing yoga getting into a deep practice and is a catholic baptized and was good believer .
As a former Kadampa Buddhist, I can totally relate to seeking healing and finding some good things on the surface of a religion, then being drawn down into murky, demonic practices without even knowing what's going on. Alex's journey has me in renewed awe of how our good God pursues us with tenderness over years and years, and turns our failings into His glory, out of love for us. Keep praying, everyone, for those in most need of mercy....you're helping to save people like Alex Frank, and ME!
Maybe consider giving your testimony? Just a thought. After I watched testimoniesbon RUclips, I stoppedbdoing Yoga. I'm sure you can make a difference by the Grace of God.
I have been doing some yoga movements most of my life for around 40 years (I am 64 yrs odl) only for health reason. It helps with my back pain and helps with my flexibility. I heard negative things about yoga, like don’t empty your self, you might invite demonic spirit in, that’s why I always pray or listen to hymns while I do it, but I’m very shocked to learn a bout it today! Do I have to give up completely or can I continue doing what I was doing?
@@ThuyBui-oz1wr If you give up yoga then you might as well never go to a chiropractor either like all of these catholics do when they have a lower back injury... Because Chiropractic was discovered by Deedee Palmer and he claimed he got the idea from a spirit that he gotten contact with during a seance.
Kadampa Buddhism is a Chinese anti-Dalai Lama front. You should find a true Buddhist teacher that will actually teach you things. Buddhism has a much better way of dealing with demons than theistic religions.
Eckart Tolle was a big influence to me in becoming from a lukewarm catholic to a much comitted one. When Tolle wrote that Jesus was “a path” something immediately changed in my mind, or let’s say, in my soul. I immediately recognized the mistake. And Tolle kept helping me when I realized he was charging so much money for a retreat in Florida. With those fees many of us would be left out of Salvation. Thanks Eckart for helping me realized that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life.
I, along with almost everyone, bought his book after seeing him on Oprah. As I read, I realized that it was nothing more than New Ageism- “You are divine; you are God”. Same old lies wrapped in Biblical references. Those who do not know their faith are easily duped. Always pray to the Holy Spirit for discernment.
@@cosmofox (I'm no expert, & a cradal catholic, & I read alot abt faith, my favorites are CS Lewis, Thomas Merton & Dorothy Day).. It's not by just "believing" that people are "saved".. It's just the start to the path of Truth. Jesus is referred to as "the truth & the way".. meaning we're saved by walking in his footsteps, & as such we won't get hoodwinked by the conditioning of our culture (both socially & family lineage). Seeking 1st "the kingdom w/in", which is to live by grace, putting our relationship w/ God as 1st priority in our lives ea day. Hence, in this way, our minds will be more intune to Jesus' virtues; & whenever death finds us while in this state of mind, we can expect to go straight to heaven. (That's my understanding).
I wish I could invite him to speak to my school board at a public hearing. I'm a substitute teacher, and for some years teachers have left lesson plans that involve taking "mindfulness" or "yoga" breaks to "calm the kids down" after lunch or at other times throughout the school day. The videos are all over RUclips. But more alarming is that some "benefactor" recently gave the district a mindfulness meditation program that is supposedly ok because they took out all mentions of mindfulness in response to parental and Christian teachers' objections. Yet it's the same claptrap. I practiced Buddhism at one time, and received the spirit during my initiation ceremony. It's a real spirit, and I refuse to have anything to do with it ever again, even so much as using the techniques to manipulate children who aren't mine. Today I was in a classroom that has a calm down area just outside the door but still visible to the teacher in the classroom. She labels it the "Zen Calm Down Corner." The district requires "calm down spaces" be in every classroom, but even that practice is influenced by Buddhism, and to some extent, Hinduism. I'm so inclined to start openly and brazenly making the Sign of the Cross in response to every pagan sign, practice, and technique I come across in classrooms.
Yes! Keep making the sign of the cross, also call out to St Michael the Archangel, all the Holy Souls in Heaven and in Purgatory and your Guardian Angel to guide you with this battle. If it's in your heart and it moves your soul it's because God has made you for this. God bless you!
@KA Fleury - Why not invite him? See the show notes for contact info. Yes, the Sign of the Cross, but also the prayer of St Anthony of the Desert: Behold the Cross of the Lord! Be scattered, all ye evil powers! The Lion of the Tribe of Judah has conquered, the root of David! Alleluia, Alleluia! Ecce Crucem Domini! Fugite partes adversae! Vicit Leo de tribu Juda, Radix David! Alleluia, Alleluia!
You know there is something wrong in the world when completely pointless crap on RUclips has multibillion views, while something like this has 63k views. One of the best interviews I have watched in a while. Well done!.
Here's the short answer @@grantwilliams2571: If you get convinced that the RCC definitions of spirituality and God are accurate, then by definition anything that contradicts RCC cult beliefs and propaganda is "evil." There's nothing more to it than that. The RCC simply requires that its sheeple believe anything that doesn't accept RCC dogma is wrong.
I practiced yoga in my 20s, but as my Catholic faith deepened, I just couldn't do it anymore. I didn't know why, it just felt very wrong. This has been so interesting to listen to!
I hope you don't go to a chiropractor either when you have a lower back injury. Because that was discovered by a man called D Palmer and he said he learned it while getting in contact with a spirit during a seance.
@@famvids9627 the fallen Angels taught man pharmacology and cutting of roots (herbalism) there’s lots of wisdom given by the angels that we use the issue is a stumbling block though you’re not going to hell for practicing yoga or taking fluid pills
@@famvids9627 no I’m saying if you’re gonna call someone out for yoga well technically pharmkea is demonic too I don’t think we should squabble of these things
Yep, Yoga is a dangerous practice for those who don't want to face their dark side. Better to just project it all into some idea of Hell and pray to Jesus he'll save you from it.
This was fascinating and I can relate to your guest. I worked in new age store for over 20 years. Luckily, Jesus scooped me out of that hedonism disguised as spirituality. It hasn’t been an easy journey but I am so grateful.
Unfortunately Christian religion inherited the Semitic creed of the ‘jealous God’ in the view of Christ as ‘the only begotten son of God’ so could not brook any rival near the throne. The Christian religion, in spite of its own broad humanism, it accepted the fierce intolerance which is the natural result of belief. Hinduism at large does not contain that type of intolerance because doing so would convey possessiveness over the divine rather than reverence to it. To label eastern religions as hedonistic is like calling the catholic church a pediphile ring. Ganesh was beheaded by his father for defending the house of his mother and after his father realized it was Ganesh, he was recapitated by attaching elephant head to his body and then resurrected him. The possessiveness of divine brought to by Christianity brought a lot of disorder to societies like the inquisition and mass enslavement of native Americans.
@@ntl9974 There were multiple factors. I lived 2 blocks from a beautiful Church and the 83 year old nun, who still wore a habit, would walk the Priests dog and I started asking her questions. Then I became critically ill and a friend brought me a picture of St. Padre Pio. That Saint pulled me back from the brink of death and slowly but surely brought me to the Church. Happy Easter!
I enjoyed this interview. For me it was law of attraction. I didn't fully understand that I was doing anything wrong. Thanks be to God that He had pity on me & got me away from that. Somehow, somewhere, someone must have been praying for me because that's when I had my reversion back to Catholism.
I guess going to a chiropractor for lower back injury is also demonic as is accepting any medical care because most of it comes from religious people of other faiths.
@@jusme2888 hahaha... superstitious much? You do realize that the same could be said about nearly every other form of physical and mental health, correct?
@@famvids9627 I work in Healthcare, & also go to a chiropractor. My response wasn't meant to say I believed your statement, it was sarcasm at the extreme example lol. I'm not superstitious, my faith is rock solid--in God. (God made the chiropractor 🤓)
As a cradle Catholic, I'm always fascinated by these types of stories. Given the hostility in his social environment towards Catholicism, it is a miracle that he found his way to the faith. I'm sure his parents would have preferred he become anything but a Catholic.
As a cradle Catholic I found RCC to be superstitious, authoritarian, and not followed or even believed by the individuals in upper authoritarian hierarchy.
¿But why, @@Charity-vm4bt? ¿If the leadership doesn't practice or believe what they preach? They act pagan and occult with their magical incantations that are supposed to be believed efficacious by the "faithful" in spite of the "priest" hierarchy not living anything other than just another career path to make a living. "Do as I say, not as I do" doesn't even cut it in ordinary life, and most certainly not in the spiritual life.
To be honest, @@Charity-vm4bt, I'm not at all enamored of the the Old Testament "god." Particularly the "god" of Deuteronomy who the Bible describes as wrathful, jealous, vengeance seeking, fear demanding, and who endorses and even commands genocide, rape, slavery, etc. with the only requirement being "loyalty." Sounds like an all powerful, disembodied donald trump. Not an entity that should be worshipped in any way. True, Jesus explicitly contradicted much of the barbaric OT rules, but I can't be party to a religion that still defines this atrocity condoning entity as "God."
What a great interview! In many Catholic women’s groups I’m in yoga is a “banned” topic because saying anything against it offends many women- but the truth needs to be shared. Thank you! And thank you for your service! My husband is an Air Force officer and we just got back from a tour in Germany. The military is a tough place to be right now if you’re a critical thinker. Much of what you said deeply resonated with our experience.
I’ve noticed the same thing! It’s noticeable how aggressive the responses get from Catholic women defending their choice to practice yoga. Puts additional perspective on how demonic oppression can be brought about by delving into these types of practices.
@@stephanieremigio8351 So, you believe that a practicing Catholic can be oppressed by demons just because he practices some poses and stretches. Based on what? The experiences of a single individual you don't even happen to know... That's the definition of superstition.
I am a Pilates instructor and Catholic convert as well. THANK YOU so much for giving us this information! I’ve been to a few yoga classes but never got into it and always felt a curious strangeness when practicing. Now I know why it felt weird and am so thankful I never dig into it deeper!! Thank you Alex for sharing your experience and learnings and thank you Matt for having Alex on the show! God bless you both 🙏
Pilates is purely physical exercise (like most of what is called "yoga" these days) Reflect on why doing exercise makes you feel weird. Gyms are evil too?
Unfortunately Christian religion inherited the Semitic creed of the ‘jealous God’ in the view of Christ as ‘the only begotten son of God’ so could not brook any rival near the throne. The Christian religion, in spite of its own broad humanism, it accepted the fierce intolerance which is the natural result of belief. Hinduism at large does not contain that type of intolerance because doing so would convey possessiveness over the divine rather than reverence to it. To label eastern religions as hedonistic is like calling the catholic church a pediphile ring. Ganesh was beheaded by his father for defending the house of his mother and after his father realized it was Ganesh, he was recapitated by attaching elephant head to his body and then resurrected him. The possessiveness of divine brought to by Christianity brought a lot of disorder to societies like the inquisition and mass enslavement of native Americans.
Two guys with richness of knowledge and first hand experience are sharing their deepest thoughts. What a pleasure to listen to them! Alex Frank is a real truth seeker!
This is so interesting! I too was interested in Ken Wilbur, zen, taoism, Krishnamurti, Carl Jung, buddhism, hinduism, yoga, new age, Joseph Cambell, Eckhart Tolle, etc. I was comfortable being a spiritual seeker but didn't realize that I was opening myself up to something supernatural. I had some very strange experiences that seemed possibly demonic. I finally bought a book by Cardinal Ratzinger, then Pope Benedict. I felt a physical reorientation, I was no longer drawn to an inner search that all of these "systems" and teachers reinforced. I also felt a sense of peace that I had not felt in years. I wanted to look anywhere but the religion of my childhood. Alex is very eloquent and did a great job warning of the dangers of nonduality and eastern mysticism.
I also became insane because of all the stuff I read and practiced from Shivaism and Siddha Yoga, I even went to an ashram. I fell into it because when I needed God the most, the only things that I was able to find were all the oriental philosophies and books my father brought home from his youth in the 70's. I can say that there are levels of absurdity and idolatry in these philosophies and religions, for example, Taoism (like Alan Watts stuff) is more benign and only leaves you with a feeling of lacking something, while Hinduism or traditional Buddhism can become very dark and will surely mess you up. I returned after 10 years of mental health problems to Catholicism, and thanks God I was reborn, I rised up anew. I'm not kidding, it was everything I ever looked for. Praise the Lord!!
@@RodrigoMera Having that the mental health problems probably proceeded all of this... hyper-religious much? That's a warning sign of an increase in mental health problems.
I practiced yoga for health reasons only. Particularly it was the stretching that attracted me. Then it was the exercise itself. Nevertheless, even if I was not spiritually searching for enlightenment in yoga. I noticed some sort of negative repercussions happening with my marriage and family relationships. Of course, I cannot pin point the blame to the practice of yoga. Still, I'd rather not do it anymore, rather than risking my own life and soul.
You can pinpoint the blame to the practice of yoga because the defenition of the word yoga means "to join" or "to yoke" or "to unite" you were yoking yourself your life to their "gods" in return you saw changes around you in your life.
@@jw-vx8im yeah - physical exercise is very healthy! Even if you want to avoid yoga because of spiritual reasons, it doesn't mean you can't replace it with something else. There's plenty of stretches out there. Maybe Tai Chi. Or just normal stretches. My friends' gym routine is mostly various stretches, that still build strength.. I think he got them from a physiology textbook.
I really, really appreciate Alex’s knowledge and experience. Before listening I always figured I’d go back to a yoga class maybe one day - never heard anything super compelling as to why I shouldn’t. After your articulate and composed insight, I am resolute on my decision to walk away completely from a 15 year, daily practice. Thank you and God bless
Few Highlights of the Interview: 8:36 Matt " As a teenager i would say I'm spiritual not religious.And if I was to examine why I said that it's because I wanted some sort of depth and purpose to the universe but I didn't want to have to do anything that I didn't want to do. " 57:39 Alex: "You can only offer yourself so many times to another person before it starts having effects on the soul, but luckily Christ's grace is very healing." 01:05:20 Alex: "Our souls directly participates with God, but our bodies participates by overflow." 01:12:50 Alex: "When you put your trust in something, it does have big implications. And you get a lot more from them than you think you're getting. Or aware of getting." 01:24:50 Alex: Book recommendation- St.Theresa of Avila "The fulfillment of all desires." By Ralph Martin. 01:29:02 Alex: "Mindfulness is not secular." 01:33:22 Alex: "Secular society claims to be respectful of choices that people make." 😂 01:41:14 Alex: "Thomas Aquinas said that you can arrive at a understating of God through natural reasons but you can't arrive at doctrines of the Church, otherwise." 01:53:41 Matt: "Just because something is helpful, it doesn't mean it's good.Thomas Aquinas said that no one chooses evil because of evil. We choose evil because of an apparent good or a real good. " 01:55:22 Alex: "It is really important to put out good arguments." 02:04:39 Alex: "Service is to be done with humility." 02:08:42 Difference between Yoga and Christianity 02:25:04 Alex: "John of Cross says that even though the soul appears to be God because so much of God's light is shining through it but it remains ontologically different."
My son ended up in a mental hospital after supposedly having a kundalini awakening about15 years ago. Then came back to the Catholic Church and now he’s left again and is heavily involved in Vedic Astrology. Please Pray for him 🙏 I’m praying rosary and having masses offered for him and his girlfriend who is doing the same thing.
Matt, I think this is your best interview ever. In the sense that this is your best job interviewing. Your ignorance and curiosity about the topic is so relatable, and your focus and ability to follow the narrative is phenomenal. The questions you ask are extraordinary-both poignant and humble. I was not initially interested in the topic of yoga, but I’m so glad I watched. Well done, my man
I was seeking relief from insomnia so I started doing yoga and while meditating on a yoga mat, I was able to see everyone’s aura. It freaked me out so much that I ran to the nearest Catholic church and cried, and I clearly heard God say “what do you think you’re doing? You’re mine!”
I m from India and I can easily relate to the experience and concepts Alex shares. Yoga is a technique of self deification by first being open nd connecting with everything and next realizing you have mastery over everything very diabolical because there is no objective moral authority that a yogi need to conform.
Having dabbled in yoga before my conversion to Catholicism, I wanted to thank you two gentlemen for this very interesting conversation. Mr. Frank is incredibly articulate about his experiences and what he shares I believe can be helpful to a lot of people. Mr. Fradd was very good in bringing out great insights from Mr. Frank. Well done and God bless you both.
I hope you don't dabble into Chiropractic care ever when you have a lower back injury... Because that was learned by Dd Palmer from a is from a spirit during a seance. Of course the idea that you can't practice yoga for exercise and you can't practice Chiropractic for lower back care is stupid.
Unfortunately Christian religion inherited the Semitic creed of the ‘jealous God’ in the view of Christ as ‘the only begotten son of God’ so could not brook any rival near the throne. The Christian religion, in spite of its own broad humanism, it accepted the fierce intolerance which is the natural result of belief. Hinduism at large does not contain that type of intolerance because doing so would convey possessiveness over the divine rather than reverence to it. To label eastern religions as hedonistic is like calling the catholic church a pediphile ring. Ganesh was beheaded by his father for defending the house of his mother and after his father realized it was Ganesh, he was recapitated by attaching elephant head to his body and then resurrected him. The possessiveness of divine brought to by Christianity brought a lot of disorder to societies like the inquisition and mass enslavement of native Americans.
I wish I could've listened to this interview 8 years ago. I've wrestled with myself about whether it's okay for me to do yoga for a long time. This was extremely helpful to me. Thank you
@@mareeyo1 Jimmy akin is right... He knows what hes talking about. Saying that it's wrong to do yoga is like saying it's wrong to go to the chiropractor when you have a lower back injury. Chiropractic is based on the idea of a subluxation. DD Palmer said it was a religious experience that he learned from a spirit during a seance. But I'm sure that all of the catholics on this thread including Matt frad go to the chiropractor simply to get their lower back injury taking care of and get their spy and adjusted. Just like most people practice yoga for the exercise and the mindfulness parts.
This was a wonderful podcast. The world of yoga is so commercial and omnipresent these days that I had no idea about almost all of these concepts. Incredibly informative!
Yoga....take what resonates & leave the rest. Getting in touch with my own breath aligned with movement helped lead me back to my catholic faith & brought strength to my body. Don't judge what you don't understand, this conversation is just one person's perspective.
Thank you. There’s nothing wrong with stretching and breathing. I don’t chant mantras or even follow any flows or think of deities. It’s simply a flowing pilates workout. So remember people you can always stretch, breath, and do pilates. They aren’t interrelated into other religions just simply physical movement that is meant to help tone and stretch your muscles while enduring some cardio.
Some people love to talk about like, "gateway evils" without realizing in doing so they're giving it more power than it has or would have had otherwise. I don't understand this kind of fear if you're faithful and believe that God is your protector and your shelter. Seems like scrupulosity meets needing an easy scapegoat for issues of faith (that go way beyond a secular highly commercialized form of exercise).
Agreed. This a prime example of conformation bias . His ideas have no basis in logic. By his reasoning we can say ‘guns are a gateway to something more evil’.
Matt, would you ever consider speaking at Texas A&M university at College Station? I'm sure St. Mary's and our incredible Catholic Community would love to have you here!
Hey Matt. I loved your content on today’s video. You have been been helping me grow deeper as a Catholic. Loved how you went in depth with Yoga and added some other things here and there. Wishing we could grab some coffee and talk about our faith lol. Take care.
Matt, I love you! You are a good man, and I enjoy your shows. I will say I was shocked though at your lack of awareness of who Aleister Crowley was, and the tremendous role he has played in the darkening of out times. Because of his role, I think you may find him worth looking further into.
@@pintswithaquinas 🤣 And this, my Brother in Christ, is why I love you! 🤣 Thanks for making me laugh this morning. Hope you and your family have a blessed weekend!
@@pintswithaquinas Crowley's friend list is a veritable "who's who" of the modern age. His acolytes built the rock culture and much of the modern global conciousness. The Beatles, Ozzy Osbourne, Jimmy Page; the 60's pastors who called rock "devil's music" that I used to mock were 100% right.
Please pray for my cousin. She was raised Protestant but has become very eastern and mystical and is a passionate yogi. She’s a beautiful person but has embraced a lifestyle which is not centered on God and states that everyone is “divine.” I fear the conclusions that she has reached as well for the long term state of her soul. Thank you 🙏🏻
Wow The explanation of the yoga poses was chilling! I was deep in New Age practices and practiced yoga for many years not fully understanding the meaning of yoga. It wasn’t until I was delivered suddenly from all my New Age practices that I discovered the real meaning of yoga. I thank God that he had mercy on me and delivered me from that life and I try to spread awareness around yoga. Sadly I have friends who don’t believe the dangers and just this week I had a friend respond that if it means worshipping many gods so be it as long as it helps. I am praying deeply for her. Great discussion. Very edifying. God Bless you both.
This is the best ever in depth explanation on yoga! What a great interview. Up to now there has only been bits of information here and there about it; this is excellent. Thoroughly enjoyed it
@@famvids9627 Exactly. I had a really paralyzingn low back pain and my chiropractor made it disappear. We have the best professionals in the world. (the best $ 95 I spent!).
This explains so much, so clearly. Most of my experience with yoga was with other martial arts stealing some stances for stretching. I'd always defend it because there is nothing particularly evil about calling something "cobra stretch" - as long as the class didn't emphasize spiritually, it seemed fine. The one time I did an actual yoga class (pickup on a Catholic youth trip), it felt so wrong. But I kept telling myself it was just exercise, up until the end where he wanted us to "bow to the god in each of us" and I refused. Still told myself it was just stretching, but if rather not bow to ...something. I also find it telling that there are no comments refuting his information, just replies that say he is wrong with no backup info, or snide insults.
At 1:06:00 - Alex's answer to what the difference is between yoga and pilates is excellent esp. when he says "regardless to your subjective intent in doing it"
This is such a wonderful, calm conversation that is very matter of fact. I've seen other sources that don't seem as reputable because they are basically just screaming, "yoga is demonic!! Don't do it!" This conversation actually gives a very in-depth background.
Anyone who found this discussion interesting should read The Gurus, the Young Man, and Elder Paisios. It's the story of a Greek guy who was in a similar situation as Mr. Frank and had a lot of miraculous Christian experiences but also demonic ones when he traveled to India to spend time with the Yogi gurus. It's a wild story that will give you a deep sense of the spiritual danger of Yoga and Hinduism, and it also helps you realize that you're struggling with the same spiritual forces every day, even if you're less aware of them.
Thank you for this interview Alex and Matt! Very knowledgeable discussion! It made many aspects of yoga clearer and helped me understand why some of my friends who did it, at some point, started having adverse spiritual effects. Thank you Alex for sharing your journey in finding Christ :) God bless
I am embarrassed to say I had. I idea that yoga was anything but exercise. Being born Catholic it is not an area of study I was aware of. Such interesting content. Thanks Matt for bringing my this to my attention
Dont take his word for everything... alot of the stuff that he says on here is just nonsense. For example is understanding of Islam as way off the mark and if you take his idea that you can't practice yoga purely as exercise without taking on the spirit then you can't go to a chiropractor either because that was discovered by a man who said that he learned it from a spirit during a seance. You don't have to have a degree in science like I do to know this much... It's common sense if you really think about it.
I'd love for this episode to be subtitled into Korean. In the archdiocese I live in, they teach yoga at the archdiocesan life-long learning centre. Just so sad.
I have done both Pilates and yoga but found I wasn't drawn at all to yoga. Just the opposite with Pilates. I'm glad to hear this explanation. I have several friends who are very into yoga. It is huge here.
I do yoga poses following a dvd. The instructor does not use Sanskrit references to name poses. I do not attach a formal intention to the exercise, I just focus on breathing oxygen to the muscles being stretched. I wear my scapular always and exercise after my daily morning rosary. The basic yoga poses have really helped my back pain to no detriment of my faith. To me, it’s just exercise. I would never go to a class. I also do pilates at home.
Yes. This. I don’t think there’s anything mystical about certain body movements. Perhaps a lifestyle of pursuing eastern religions is bad… fair enough… but does that mean everything a Buddhist does is bad? I don’t believe so. They drink water too… can you believe it? 😆 To me this is like saying… okay rock stars are known for their hedonism, drugs and groupies, etc… therefore… don’t learn the guitar, because clearly it’s a gateway to the devil. Same logic.
Really great stuff. We need to talk about yoga in this way more. My husband is an orthodox deacon and has been warning people and talking about Aleister Crowley for decades. Thank you.
One of the best PWA vids I’ve seen. Can’t believe I slept on it Btw, I used to watch ASMR Reiki things cause I didn’t take it seriously and it *did* create those tingling sensations a LOT more than most regular ASMR but I noticed I had weirder dreams. I have a very active dream life but those dreams were “otherworldly” and just so strange. They put me in a weirder state of mind and would wake up gasping for air and the like with gory images and weird sounds from my nightmares. I didn’t connect them until I just stopped and would start again and they seemed connected. So yeah, careful with that stuff.
must be tired... I read the title as "Why Yoda is Evil..." and was preparing to explain why star wars movie made after '83 weren't as good as the old ones... cheers
I'm an acupuncturist and Catholic. The church allows medical acupuncture which is basically trigger point therapy even though the French monks brought acupuncture to the west. With today's modern technology we can see how acupuncture really works with the nervous system and circulatory system. I get into discussions with non catholic Christians who call me a witchdoctor, satanic practice etc. Makes me really upset. In school they discussed different religions and cultures in the east so I'm familiar with some of the Hindu beliefs but one other catholic girl and I would walk out of class wondering why are we learning this. Acupuncture really had nothing to do with religions. Yin and yang were explained to us as the sun rises there is a shadow from the mountain and as the sun sets there is a small amount of light from the moon in the dark. Then they relate that to movement and cold and hot.. I saw no religion in that. They deleted that class the following year. We also had a clinic at the retired nuns home in Milwaukee to give them treatments a few times a week. I know I've helped hundreds of people who were suffering especially the trigeminal neuralgia patients. So I question am I doing he Lord's work just because some other Christians have that thought process?
Personally I’m a Catholic & long time chiropractor & experience similar to u in helping a lot of people deeply.. I don’t think I’m “doing the Lord’s work”, I just get to be of service to others w/ my expertise. Yes healing is spiritual… but I don’t do it.. that’s btwn them & God. I just get to create the space for it.
My husband and I have both used acupuncture for medical reasons. Only once did my husband have an experience that made him uncomfortable. It was with an Acupuncturist who he had never seen before (the one we typically used was very clear that he didn’t believe in a spiritual component). He was so uncomfortable during it that he spent the whole time praying Hail Marys. My guess is the practitioner was also into Reiki or something else “spiritual”. I think used in a medical sense there is nothing wrong with acupuncture and it can provide a lot of benefit to many people. And even if there are some weird beliefs behind some of it, my understanding is none of them are about worshipping a deity. I think you should ignore people who are critical…I personally don’t think it’s the same as Yoga. Although I would love to learn more and hear more theological discussions around it.
It appears that it is trendy now to do the same thing with Yoga. The practice of what is now called Yoga is such a broad category, and there is much of it that is completely divorced from any religion. I've done Yoga off and on my whole life and never known it was related to Hinduism at all. The guest is talking about getting very deep into the spiritual aspects of it; and the host is begging him to talk about the most negative and darkest people associated with it. Just because Alastair Crowley (sp) practiced or was interested in Yoga, does not make him the purveyor of it. He was a very prominent occultist. Much like the guest laughs about and obviously enjoys his beer - one could pull up a lot of darkness surrounding alcohol. A lot. I'm sure there are many who would make cases for it leading them to evil. So, it is very possible to use yoga as physical exercise, and for it to be completely benign. Are you in the Milwaukee area? I realize you wouldn't want to give contact info here.
Maybe it’s cause I’m Asian but I have never in my life associated acupuncture with religion. My friend who has a Chinese background and is very devout Catholic knows about acupuncture and her mom who is also devout practices it. I’ve always seen it as a legitimate medical thing or at the very least helpful like how massage and chiropractors are helpful
Yes! I was in a yoga sanga or 'family' for years and then after a meetup a few years ago it has been nothing but hellish spiritual/psychological torture that I would describe as demonic. I'M OUT OF THAT YOGA FAMILY!
Essential oils are from flowers and other natural resins. They are the basis of early pharmacology and still the basis of some effective treatments. For instance, I make a capsule of lavender, lemon, and peppermint that helps my husband's hay fever. He used to suffer a lot during the late summer/fall. Now - no problem. He just takes the capsules as needed.
My husband is thankful to you for finally convincing me against yoga. 😂 Your arguments were quite compelling and I was really struck by your emphasis on the dangers of imitating pagan rituals and practices.
For more direct data regarding the dangers check out youtube presentations by Kyle Clement. He is directly involved in official Catholic exorcism and the monitoring of individuals suffering from harassment and possession.
There was a time my sister was into yoga. I remember she came by to visit me at university and wanted to go to hot yoga. I was fasting during this time because of lent, so I hadn’t eaten anything all day. I was also wearing a huge cross necklace from my grandma. I remember almost passing out because of how hot the room was (hot yoga) I ran out and soon my sister followed. I always look back and think that maybe God was protecting me from falling into this. Thank God I was fasting and praying 🙏🏻
Loved the video Matt. You’ll definitely have to get a clip starting at 1:05:40. It is super helpful given that there are many Catholics (and even practicing and devout Catholics) who are very dismissive towards the dangers of yoga.
@@kcc879 it’s shockingly common within the Church. And there has been little to no real discussion about it. I think even this video could have gone some more in depth, but it’s a great start
I listened to this Video many times and will continue to listen more times ! Alex Frank is lead by the Holy Ghost of God , very knowledgeable and loves the True God Jesus Christ ❤ I am a South Indian Cradle Catholic, my Parents taught us the difference between Christianity and Hinduism! I’m totally against yoga 🧘♀️ Praise and Glory to You Lord Jesus Christ ✝️🙏🏼
thank you. I have been a dabbler in yoga stretching for years, and a recently born again christian. I just heard about the evils of yoga and immediately repented. This was helpful in my research and I intend to spread the warning😊
I’m glad Alex Frank spoke about how the postures themselves aren’t necessarily spiritual (although I did not know that about warrior pose!). I used to attend yoga classes until I experienced a yoga nidra class that seemed hypnotic and trance-like. Then I decided to continue the stretching poses while praying the scriptural Rosary, which is how I start each morning.
This was such a fascinating and engaging interview! And I was in the same place as Matt with the HP analogy, so I learned so much. Edit: also, this guy is so articulate. I would totally be interested in reading his work. I wish there were links to his articles in the description!
Is fascinating might be the word for it... It was gonna call it stupid. The idea that you can't practice yoga without taking on the spirit of yoga that's evil is like saying that you can't go to a chiropractor for a lower back injury because Chiropractic was learned by DD Palmer who discovered it from a spirit during a seance. Also can't take aspirin anymore because that was actually Discovered by African animists while they were practicing their form of spirituality that Matt would equally object to. This can be said about almost every form of therapeutic practice. I guess we'll stick to the word interesting to describe something that's nonsensical.
Thank you again Matt for the great interview. I listened to this entire podcast almost straight through and suddenly it was 12:30AM! 😳 Fascinating and timely topic. I hope you can have him back to discuss his next steps.
Also, I uses peppermint on my forehead when I get sinus pressure and it drains my sinuses and relieves my headache. Now, Alex is right to say that fanaticism in oils can lead to some superstitious thinking. But, basically, the single and blends of oils can help with your day-to-day healthy life.
I did yoga for a while, and it lead me into disaster. i thank God that by grace i found my way back to Catholicism 🙏🙏🙏 So happy he mentioned Kali because I experienced this deity, and it is up to no good. I regret my past choices a lot---
Yoga come from the root word ( Yuj meaning to YOKE / Unite) in Sanskrit an ancient and most difficult language to learn in India. You are yoking to SHIVA the god of Destruction with a Serpant coiled around his neck. You "WORSHIP Shiva when you do the different Asanas/chants/Slokas etc. One cannot separate the Mind, Body, SPIRIT elements of yoga - that is wishful thinking. I am an Indian and seen stuff first hand. The most " Dangerous" yoga is the "Kundalini Yoga" which most Yoga Gurus will not teach you. WHY? Is it Health or is it Stealth? The gods of the pagans are Demons Psalm 96:5 The devil being very smart wants Worship and gets it without the persons knowledge (specifically Westerners who are clueless - like lamb led to the slaughter) JESUS Christ says in Matthew 11:29 _ Take my "YOKE" upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is EASY and my burden is light." Excorcists will tell you about yoga being one of many entry point of demonic possession. The late chief Excorcist of Rome Fr Gabriel Amorth is on record saying Harry Potter and Yoga is Satanic. Read his excellent books I've seen everything he says to be true. Shalom of Christ
Thank you so very much for this program how educational!!!! So important that we Catholics know about this. I too did yoga before I realized how evil it is. Thank you. Amen
@@loveisaih2020 Hi Julian were you born into Hinduism? At one point I went to levitation with a yogi visiting Australia. I found that I ended up fighting myself so to speak as there was something that was conflicting. I remember hearing that the deities lead to God but like Shiva they all have these different personas. Was that about the illusions that these deities present? I think if you come from any of the monotheistic faiths it's hard to get your head around. One thing I did notice is that most people that are into meditation/yoga are there to improve but I observed many got worse before or if they ever got better. Maybe seeing this was the sin I needed to go.
@j w G'day mate a fellow Aussie here. No I was born in India and spent 18 yrs in India and saw things first hand. A revert to Catholicism from agnostic/atheism but since 1997 have been delving deep into the various Scriptures eg Quran, Vedas wanting just to find the TRUTH. Assuming your a Christian and were baptised (you became a child of God)and you cannot serve 2 masters - that was your conflict Maya originally denoted the magic power with which a god can make human beings believe in what turns out to be an illusion. Maya/Magic/Illusions are part and parcel of Yoga first and foremost a Spiritual discipline. Not doubt there are INITIAL Benefits of doing Yoga. The devil is not fool. Why do a discipline where there is no benefit or good vibes/feelings? The Bible says the gods of the pagans are Demons - Psalm 95:5 and the devil comes as an agel of light - 2 Cor 11:14. One inadvertently opens a "Doorway" into one's life (an Excorcist will reveal this) when we dabble into Eastern mysticism yoga, feng shui, vastu Shastru, Harry Potter, ouija board and new age stuff. If you are a catholic please make a good confession naming each one. According to Hindu philosophy, notably in the Advaita (Nondualist) school of Vedanta everything is an illusion or Maya reality doesn't exist. Shalom of Christ
I see you using the prayer hands emoji. I just wanted to tell you, that has origins in Hinduism, it's not from the bible, not one verse. It's a yoga position called the anjali mudra, you can google it. Kali is actually destroys demons that's her sole job, so killing demons is no good? So we should just let them run rampant then? So killing demons, is up to no good, okay.
Hi Matt and Alex, thank you for this video.. thought this topic needed more time and may be covered in a series rather than a single 2 hours video.. the new age is a serious concern and we need a proper understanding of the dangers in it.. Alex referred to the demonic but how does physical actions leads one to the demonic.. Hope we get to see some more of Alex in your interviews...
Matt, your questions were really excellent. Thank you so much for covering this so thoroughly, it is really helpful. May God bless and guide Alex in his new journey. Just love these videos.
Excellent! This interview provides the best comprehensive understanding of yoga. When will Mr. Frank write a book about this? Get him out there to the high schools and colleges to teach this truth about yoga.
Oils have natural properties, like eating a vegetable soup with garlic and herbs. What one smells has an effect on the brain as well as applying products to the skin, it will absorb and cause a cellular reaction. We should remember that a lot of meds are made from plants, same as oils are made from plants. Loved the talk, very informative!
As a Protestant I practiced yoga because I really need the sacred sacramental life found in Catholicism. Meditation, intentional bodily postures, connection with our heavenly family, our Mother Mary. I practiced yoga from age 13 to 30 and taught it for many years. Please consider writing a book or more articles. I haven’t found many intelligent Catholics online who really know yoga well enough. It’s very frustrating to hear people immediately demonize it or say “it’s just exercise.” We need compassionate and intelligent people explaining it systematically. I will pray for you. You will get a lot of backlash. People love their yoga.
Yoga come from the root word ( Yuj meaning to YOKE / Unite) in Sanskrit an ancient and most difficult language to learn in India. You are yoking to SHIVA the god of Destruction with a Serpant coiled around his neck. You "WORSHIP Shiva when you do the different Asanas/chants/Slokas etc. One cannot separate the Mind, Body, SPIRIT elements of yoga - that is wishful thinking. I am an Indian and seen stuff first hand. The most " Dangerous" yoga is the "Kundalini Yoga" which most Yoga Gurus will not teach you. WHY? Is it Health or is it Stealth? The gods of the pagans are Demons Psalm 96:5 The devil being very smart wants Worship and gets it without the persons knowledge (specifically Westerners who are clueless - like lamb led to the slaughter) JESUS Christ says in Matthew 11:29 _ Take my "YOKE" upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is EASY and my burden is light." Excorcists will tell you about yoga being one of many entry point of demonic possession. The late chief Excorcist of Rome Fr Gabriel Amorth is on record saying Harry Potter and Yoga is Satanic. Read his excellent books I've seen everything he says to be true. Shalom of Christ
@@PaliciCristina I think that what Arielle is trying to say is that Yoga has a reverential atmosphere, especially compared to normal exercise. Catholic sacraments are physical gestures and materials that signify deeper spiritual workings. When done with reverence, they especially capture our hearts. That attracted me to Yoga as well. But I realized eventually that yoga is not reverencing the right things.
This topic of discussion is so important for our culture today. Please speak more about your experience and keep sharing your knowledge Alex. It should be known on every street corner everywhere! This helped answer many of my questions, one being about that elephant and also the reason WHY we shouldn't open ourselves up to Yoga. Even when you tell people it's bad they don't listen. Your reasoning was the most in depth I have ever heard. So much more psychologically explained and you can tell you actually know what you are talking about. THIS IS SO RARE. You have got to share your story as much as possible.
From first hand experience, yoga is not simply exercise, especially if you attend a class. Some Catholics are very ignorant (including myself at one point) to think there is nothing wrong with it. First and foremost it is against the First Commandment of God. Second, it can open the door to evil. Excellent work, Matt… need to make Catholics aware of this!
@@mntomovi I don't think so : devotion to God in the traditional Christian way is called Bhakti-yoga and actually fewer Indians depart from a strictly devotional approach to religion and practice yoga exercises than there are Westerners to do them. The real problem with Hinduism where it may seriously jeopardize your Christian faith, and especially your liberty as a child of God, is the quest and cult of the guru. It is not with yoga, bar a few far-fetched exercises like kundalini that are not part of classical Hinduism but of Hindu magic.
I find it odd how extensive the warnings are about yoga classes and yet it was a yoga teacher who introduced Alex to Christ in such a deep way that it inspired his path to Catholicism. I was also invited into a deeper relationship with Christ by a yoga teacher. I will be forever grateful to him. Auras and chakras are a scientific reality as is the fact that our systems are more electro magnetic than physical (as are atoms) It is not a religious issue. Intention is key. Yoga postures were developed to balance the endocrine system, give health and flexibility to the body as well as a quieting the mind in order to have a system that supports deep contemplation rather than sabotaging it with distraction.
My sister practices some yoga and seems to be getting into other concerning practices. I stumbled upon this and hope the information will help me to help my sister. I thought yoga was harmless so long as you didn't do the spiritual stuff...but I know now that even doing some RUclips videos for my back pain was not good. I want to help my sister, who's struggling in so many different areas and not in a good place. If anyone sees this, please pray for her.
Insightful and very much appreciated interview. Excellent points and glad you did your research. Alex, Please do write the book! It will help the church. Thank you and May God bless you.
That "spine tingly" feeling is something i only experience in 2 situations: when a cold draft suddenly blows by me, and when I am in good prayer to the Lord.
Look into asmr. The phenomena of it being a tingling of the spine I mean. Just be careful because some people get that tingly feeling from asmr videos that are about things like yoga and reiki, so you might find videos of that if you look it up online. But asmr, the feeling of tingling, can be induced from positive or neutral things like prayer or whispering more generally and there are just a variety of “triggers” for it
All very interesting. I came from an extremely liberal background where everyone approved Eastern practices as opposed to Christianity. And then I converted to Catholicism. I’ve always wondered about these questions, how the two may overlap (at eg contemplative prayer), and how to practice stretching without including the “spiritual” aspect of yoga. Practising pilates seems like a good solution.
Thank you for posting this. We need more of this type of content - to expose more of these dangerous and false practices that are often considered benign or harmless. Far too many of us are falling for these things out of ignorance. (I can personally attest to this.) Unfortunately, some people never make their way out of it. Please keep these videos coming! P.S. Aleister Crowley is still BIG in many circles today beyond just yoga. Beware.
Wow. His experience was so different from mine. I was 25 years with a yoga group that followed an Indian guru and respected lineage going back centuries. We were not mainstream at all. The aim was to bring more health and peace into people's lives. And it did for sure. I'm convinced that it's our childhood unhealed traumas influencing our relationships and group dynamics. And our group definitely had that. When you have a guru who is not traumatized from life it's a totally different thing. I came to the Lord less than a year ago because the peace wasn't enough for me. I also grew tired of the group dynamics, which is in the church as well though! Now I finally see that I was on that yoga path to learn some vital skills for this next stage of my life. Yoga based on image, money, and unhealed wounds, (plus without wisdom) is a whole other field open for dark influence.
re: "mindfulness" the activity of "mindfulness meditations" can be done in a secular fashion and has done wonders in anxiety and panic disorders. Saying you can't do mindfulness exercises without the divine aspect is like saying you can't bend your knees or stoop at any time without it being a devotion to x pagan god. Just because the guy who commercialized the term believes every time you stoop it's a devotion, doesn't mean it is.
Chiropractic was founded by DD Palmer, yet he claimed that he learned it during a seance. He also believed it to be a religious experience. I guarantee that both of these guys think that Chiropractic can be practiced without practicing DD Palmer's religion.
This gentleman has the most convoluted path I have ever seen. Going from physics to the marines to yoga. That is like going from battleships to kayaks to prams.
I run uphill 30 x 100 meter intervils . I run up and walk down . I find it realy hard somtimes , i'm getting on in age . I meditate on Christ carrying his cross when i'm Struggle for breath and in pain .I find this a good supplement for prayer.
33:43 it becomes clearer as the interview goes on that this gentleman has differed one of the most common afflictions of our age - spiritual tourism. Just as when we become tourists to visit another country or culture, we get a general flavor, but never get the deep understanding of that place or people, and likewise, find ourselves definitively saturated with an understanding, made up of stereotypes, and misconceptions. As Alan Watts so aptly noted, “rather than searching for the perfect religion, the beginner is better served by persistence with one - anyone, through which his powers of devotion, insight, and discrimination will naturally grow.” Eastern religions are no more plagued by drug use than any other religion. Any serious practiciner of yoga, zen, Buddhism, etc abhors the artificial alteration of the mind through substance use, indulgence in sexuality and materialism, selfishness, etc. To state otherwise exposes a massive degree of ignorance about these traditions. It is akin to suggesting that the Christian tradition is based upon the hedonistic and pornographic exploits of dozens of sex crazed popes and priests. Sweeping Generalizations are always an excellent indicator of an individuals limited knowledge.
Hi, Matt! This was one of my most awaited videos, but unfortunately couldn’t watch it live. I’m a Catholic as you may know, but I did practice “kundalini awakening” which is a form of Yoga, and I did experience unusual experiences twice (was pleasant), but nothing ever matched the happiness that I used to have when I attended the mass. Yoga feels good, but when you understand the truth about it, you’ll start to feel its unpleasant nature. It feels sad to look at the yogis who’s been spending all their lives in some form of Yoga thinking that they would attain* enlightenment.
Yoga come from the root word ( Yuj meaning to YOKE / Unite) in Sanskrit an ancient and most difficult language to learn in India. You are yoking to SHIVA the god of Destruction with a Serpant coiled around his neck. You "WORSHIP Shiva when you do the different Asanas/chants/Slokas etc. One cannot separate the Mind, Body, SPIRIT elements of yoga - that is wishful thinking. I am an Indian and seen stuff first hand. The most " Dangerous" yoga is the "Kundalini Yoga" which most Yoga Gurus will not teach you. WHY? Is it Health or is it Stealth? The gods of the pagans are Demons Psalm 96:5 The devil being very smart wants Worship and gets it without the persons knowledge (specifically Westerners who are clueless - like lamb led to the slaughter) JESUS Christ says in Matthew 11:29 _ Take my "YOKE" upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is EASY and my burden is light." Excorcists will tell you about yoga being one of many entry point of demonic possession. The late chief Excorcist of Rome Fr Gabriel Amorth is on record saying Harry Potter and Yoga is Satanic. Read his excellent books I've seen everything he says to be true. I would strongly urge you Brother to confess this to a priest at your next confession. God bless Shalom of Christ
@@loveisaih2020 Thank you so much, Julian. I’m an Indian as well and I totally understand and agree with all you have mentioned. Even I came to realise recently via Matt’s discussion with Father Vincent Lampert on this channel. I will confess this in my next confession.
@@CanisDei Praise the good Lord Brother. Hosea4:6 says " My people PERISH for lack of Wisdom". I was a born but non practising ( actually an agnostic/atheist) catholic. Growing up I was confused as a kids with pantheon of hindu gods, Allah ho Akbar Azaan @ 5am and Bad examples of Catholics outside and inside. Migrating to the West at 18yrs old and by my mid 20s I was convinced God didn't exist. I married a Hindu girl in temple, went to Mosque(offered chaddar) Temple, Gurudwara as a kid ate prayed, bhog, pooja at friends house, aarti. Saw manifestation of demonic spirit in Kali, Durga, Mangala Maa, Tiger Dance festivals, etc. Through a series of tragedies found my Lord Jesus (I asked him to prove HIS "existence" and the Good LORD performed a 1 in 2 million rare medical Miracle) and HIS one and only Catholic Church(history proves it) every thing the Church teaches and does has DIVINE Authority behind it. I have seen even the amazing effects(used with simple faith) and power behind Sacramentals like blessed Holy water, Salt, Oil. I got rid of New Age stuff ( nothing new, all OLD only new packaging) laughing Buddha, Wind chimes, money plant etc. My both Hindu inlaws accepted Christ (my father-in-law at his death bed) in their old age. It was a 5 year struggle though, I saw the spiritual battle for their souls. Now I live to teach my kids ALL things CATHOLIC. I even initially questioned Catholicism (as a general rule go to the SOURCE of everything as the saying goes the devil is in the detail) why not be one of the 45K Protestant Denominations. Lastly there are INITIAL Benefits no doubt doing Yoga, Reiki, Feng Shui etc but then ....... The real Hero of Islam(Isa Ibn Mariyam) and Hinduism( Purusha Prajapathy in Rig Vedas) is none other than Jesus Christ. Live in a state of sanctifying grace and live your vocation to the fullest under the umbrella of the Catholic Church.and be blessed now and in eternity. Peace of Christ
@@loveisaih2020 Thank you again, Julian for the time you took to share with me your experiences. It means a lot. I even recently posted a video based on what you mentioned about Jesus mentioned in Rig Vedas: ruclips.net/video/ZU1vqu4XyeY/видео.html I’m glad that you sought God even though you had to practice other religious beliefs. I can relate your life experience to my own. I was quite tangential towards Islam after looking at their strict practices but later ignored it via the teachings of one of the Muslim priests who had converted to Catholicism. I clearly understood from your experience that if we seek God with all our hearts, we’ll find him anyway at some point in our life. By the way, I used to recite a small prayer to Saint Michael at times of temptations. Michael, Michael of the Morning! Fresh chord of the Heaven adorning; Keep me safe today; And in time of temptation, Drive the devil away! Amen. Also, I just recited the prayer for souls in purgatory (St. Gertrude’s prayer) for your in-laws. Thank you so much for all your kind words!! 🤍
23;53 “yoga talks a lot about improving your feeling tone.” I’ve been a serious student of yoga for 9 years and I’ve never heard this once - ever, in any book, from any teacher….. yoga means “union with God.” While “religion” is Latin meaning re (again) and ligare (connect) - where we get the word ligament. So religion is to “bind back” to our source. Yoga is to “nurture reunion with the Godhead.” To the shallow understanding yoga appears a poly theistic cult opposite Catholicism. To the experienced and educated mind it is a universal oneness. The ancient Raja yoga (or royal path) acknowledges Christ as the only begotten son of God and affirms the tenants of traditional Catholicism far more than the lost Vatican II context. I would caution partial or shallow understanding as a platform from which to ignorantly denounce the worlds oldest and most influential religion (5,000 years old).
I have never liked yoga classes so I've had a 30 year solo stretching practice in my living room that includes some classic yoga poses but also just stretches I've made up myself. I have returned to the Catholic Church, and now I do my stretching while either listening to Gregorian chant or podcasts like this. I'm going to ask my priest what his thoughts are on that.
Hey Matt, thanks for the video. Just a quick point. Fr Richard Rohr is well and truly a false and untrustworthy teacher. He teaches perennialism and monism and distorts Catholic dogmas, like the atonement and the trinity, and misinterprets scripture to make it justify his views. Here’s some articles that make more thorough critiques: (just paste these titles into the url bar) “Can I Trust Fr. Richard Rohr?” - Part I by Dan Burke “A Primer on Richard Rohr” by Tom Nash “Is Richard Rohr a heretic?” By Ian Paul “The Fr. Richard Rohr Phenomenon” by Bryce Sibley “Why I Don’t Flow with Richard Rohr” by Fred Sanders “Richard Rohr - Is His Teaching Biblical?”By Jane Kramer
Please pray for the reversion of my daughter, whom is a yoga instructor. We adopted her as an infant and is our only child. She’s now 30 years old. She attended a private (non-parish) Catholic grade school, an all-girl Catholic High School and even a Catholic university (which was her choice). She attended Mass through college, but likely the only time she attended afterward is when we would visit her where she lived several states away (outside a brief time when she started going back for a while on her own). Unfortunately, a couple girls she worked with were very involved with yoga. They were going on a trip to a Caribbean island and asked her to join them. She was hooked, and began to teach yoga. Shortly afterward she started dating a man that never had any substantial faith in his life. Shortly afterward, our daughter would refuse to attend going to Mass even when we’d visit.
She now is a manager of a very large club where she lead teachers/trainers in yoga, Pilates, barre, etc., and she herself teaches yoga there. Someone gave her a book on witchcraft and other ‘alternative’ practices. I’ve seen others since.
Our daughter is a kind person. A hard worker. She also is aligned with ‘woke’ ideology - all the usual issues du jour. She became engaged in 2020 with the idea of getting married in 2022 (because of COVID) but became pregnant in the interim. She chose to postpone the wedding - Thank God she also chose life! Our little grandson is now almost one year old. He was premature but is completely healthy. He’s also not baptized. Everyone says that young people come back to the faith once they have a child. So far there is no glimpse of that.
Please pray for the reversion of my daughter, the conversion of her fiancé and the baptism of our grandson. It is such a hollow feeling not having them in the faith. It seems impossible, but I know that through God all is possible.
I have a similar situation with my one and only daughter as well … my heart is broken and in need of prayers as well .
I will remember you in my prayers .
God bless .
Lord, in your mercy, hear this mother’s prayer.
Keep loving her and extending grace to her. You will be the only Jesus that she sees at this point. And immerse yourself in scripture and worship as that’s where you will find strength to be faithful to Christ. Blessings.
Yes dear Lord 🙏🏻. We believe.
I also have a similar story with my 2 sons. God and Mary love our children, even more that we do, and are intervening with the help of our prayers and sacrifices. Miracles and reversions are happening every day. I will pray for your daughter.
Praying 🙏🏽
I’m in the process of converting to Catholicism. These videos have been so helpful!! Sorry, not related to yoga lol, but I’m excited and wanted to share.
Awww 🥰 Welcome home 🙏!!
Praise God! Prayers for you on your journey!!
Can't wait for you to be a part of the ark of salvation ❤
It’s hard to hold back joy when you find it!!! Share away!!!
Welcome Home! Praise be to God!
This interview was absolutely one of the most important for me to hear. Being born protestant I lost almost two decades of dabbling in the New Age (buddhism, hinduism, yoga, mediums, crystals, astrology, tarot cards e t c, e t c) and it almost destroyed me 😥 I can totally relate to what Alex Frank is talking about. I knew it was demonic in my heart but I got stuck somehow and never had the words or theology to explain the why. The information Alex Frank is giving us in this interview is going to bring many lost souls (like me) to Christ and the true Church. And yes I am on my way to converting to the Catholic church and have made many supporting beautiful Catholic friends🥰 God Bless and thank you Jesus for not giving up on me🙏🏻
I guess Chiropractic is also demonic.
Good for you! You will be a gem of OUR Church. Welcome and thank you Kristina!
Interesting that most of our comments grasped yoga issue from Frank direct experience and observation. Excellent interview. Excellent. Should be printed and offered by TA host.
Isho loves you no matter what.
Ahhhhhh this is awesome news, Kristina. My little family will be praying for you on your journey. Woot woot! So happy you weren’t destroyed, sister!
As a former yoga teacher, thank you for bringing attention to this topic. I have so much to say about this that it wouldn’t fit in a comment lol!! I don’t regret my spiritual journey but am so grateful that God called me back to the Catholic Church and allowed me to see how far from Him I really was. There are so many well intentioned Christians and Catholics who have no idea how dangerous these practices can be, nor why they are dangerous.
Tku for sharing. In India it's so widely accepted that we don't know what we're dabbling with. Being Catholic this is very enlightening
I was raised in the Catholic Church but wandered away and lived as the proverbial prodigal son for a few years. During that time I became deeply immersed in yoga and at one point I was going to become a teacher of this practice. By the grace of God I started to be drawn back to the church and part of this process was the realisation at yoga was not what I thought it was. God opened my eyes to see that the poses in yoga are in fact movements designed to worship Hindu gods, so it is idolatry really. I'm so grateful God took me away from these practices but yoga is so normalised and ingrained In the culture that it is everywhere and can't be challenged. I literally saw children being taught yoga in my local park a few months back. It's so difficult to explain to people the dangers of yoga unless they know God in the first place. Anyway just wanted to comment as I know the road you've travelled
@@laradmello4890 Agree with you... Indian Mangalorean Catholic here!
I have had a similar spiritual journey leaving the Catholic Church and getting involved in psychedelics and Eastern mysticism. I do regret my path. I was foolish and played with powers I didn't understand, I led others astray and became puffed up with pride of spiritual knowledge and "wisdom" and became self indulgent at the detriment to a right mind and risking my immortal soul. I should have gone deeper into the Christian knowledge I was taught when I was young. But God is great and saved me from darkness and death and from myself. I have fully repented with deep regret and am now back in the Church and praying for the chance to warn others and help to keep them from abandoning Christ or to discover Him for the first time. God bless you all.
So good to hear .
How would you approach someone that is practicing yoga getting into a deep practice and is a catholic baptized and was good believer .
As a former Kadampa Buddhist, I can totally relate to seeking healing and finding some good things on the surface of a religion, then being drawn down into murky, demonic practices without even knowing what's going on. Alex's journey has me in renewed awe of how our good God pursues us with tenderness over years and years, and turns our failings into His glory, out of love for us. Keep praying, everyone, for those in most need of mercy....you're helping to save people like Alex Frank, and ME!
Maybe consider giving your testimony? Just a thought. After I watched testimoniesbon RUclips, I stoppedbdoing Yoga. I'm sure you can make a difference by the Grace of God.
I have been doing some yoga movements most of my life for around 40 years (I am 64 yrs odl) only for health reason. It helps with my back pain and helps with my flexibility. I heard negative things about yoga, like don’t empty your self, you might invite demonic spirit in, that’s why I always pray or listen to hymns while I do it, but I’m very shocked to learn a bout it today! Do I have to give up completely or can I continue doing what I was doing?
Dear Alex, welcome home! 🙏❤️
Please give me advice for my question. Thanks in advance.
@@ThuyBui-oz1wr If you give up yoga then you might as well never go to a chiropractor either like all of these catholics do when they have a lower back injury... Because Chiropractic was discovered by Deedee Palmer and he claimed he got the idea from a spirit that he gotten contact with during a seance.
Kadampa Buddhism is a Chinese anti-Dalai Lama front. You should find a true Buddhist teacher that will actually teach you things. Buddhism has a much better way of dealing with demons than theistic religions.
Eckart Tolle was a big influence to me in becoming from a lukewarm catholic to a much comitted one. When Tolle wrote that Jesus was “a path” something immediately changed in my mind, or let’s say, in my soul. I immediately recognized the mistake. And Tolle kept helping me when I realized he was charging so much money for a retreat in Florida. With those fees many of us would be left out of Salvation. Thanks Eckart for helping me realized that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life.
I, along with almost everyone, bought his book after seeing him on Oprah. As I read, I realized that it was nothing more than New Ageism- “You are divine; you are God”. Same old lies wrapped in Biblical references. Those who do not know their faith are easily duped. Always pray to the Holy Spirit for discernment.
Amen
@@cosmofox (I'm no expert, & a cradal catholic, & I read alot abt faith, my favorites are CS Lewis, Thomas Merton & Dorothy Day).. It's not by just "believing" that people are "saved".. It's just the start to the path of Truth. Jesus is referred to as "the truth & the way".. meaning we're saved by walking in his footsteps, & as such we won't get hoodwinked by the conditioning of our culture (both socially & family lineage). Seeking 1st "the kingdom w/in", which is to live by grace, putting our relationship w/ God as 1st priority in our lives ea day. Hence, in this way, our minds will be more intune to Jesus' virtues; & whenever death finds us while in this state of mind, we can expect to go straight to heaven. (That's my understanding).
Who is Eckart Tolle?
@@ntl9974so
Someone depressing
I wish I could invite him to speak to my school board at a public hearing. I'm a substitute teacher, and for some years teachers have left lesson plans that involve taking "mindfulness" or "yoga" breaks to "calm the kids down" after lunch or at other times throughout the school day. The videos are all over RUclips. But more alarming is that some "benefactor" recently gave the district a mindfulness meditation program that is supposedly ok because they took out all mentions of mindfulness in response to parental and Christian teachers' objections. Yet it's the same claptrap. I practiced Buddhism at one time, and received the spirit during my initiation ceremony. It's a real spirit, and I refuse to have anything to do with it ever again, even so much as using the techniques to manipulate children who aren't mine. Today I was in a classroom that has a calm down area just outside the door but still visible to the teacher in the classroom. She labels it the "Zen Calm Down Corner." The district requires "calm down spaces" be in every classroom, but even that practice is influenced by Buddhism, and to some extent, Hinduism. I'm so inclined to start openly and brazenly making the Sign of the Cross in response to every pagan sign, practice, and technique I come across in classrooms.
Pray to be protected from retaliation as you battle this.
Yes! Keep making the sign of the cross, also call out to St Michael the Archangel, all the Holy Souls in Heaven and in Purgatory and your Guardian Angel to guide you with this battle. If it's in your heart and it moves your soul it's because God has made you for this. God bless you!
We can't even practice breathing techniques without some people protesting that we're invoking demons? What total nonsense.
@@joeoleary9010 did you not watch the video Joe???? Do Pilates bro
@KA Fleury - Why not invite him? See the show notes for contact info.
Yes, the Sign of the Cross, but also the prayer of St Anthony of the Desert:
Behold the Cross of the Lord!
Be scattered, all ye evil powers!
The Lion of the Tribe of Judah has conquered, the root of David!
Alleluia, Alleluia!
Ecce Crucem Domini!
Fugite partes adversae!
Vicit Leo de tribu Juda, Radix David!
Alleluia, Alleluia!
You know there is something wrong in the world when completely pointless crap on RUclips has multibillion views, while something like this has 63k views. One of the best interviews I have watched in a while. Well done!.
Yes very well said. I am completely enthralled. Also learning why Yoga is a problem. I’ve heard it many time but never heard a good explanation.
I genuinely want to know how Yoga is evil.
@@grantwilliams2571 well then watch the interview Grant.
@@keithfred3321 It's 2 fucking hours long.
Here's the short answer @@grantwilliams2571:
If you get convinced that the RCC definitions of spirituality and God are accurate, then by definition anything that contradicts RCC cult beliefs and propaganda is "evil."
There's nothing more to it than that.
The RCC simply requires that its sheeple believe anything that doesn't accept RCC dogma is wrong.
I practiced yoga in my 20s, but as my Catholic faith deepened, I just couldn't do it anymore. I didn't know why, it just felt very wrong. This has been so interesting to listen to!
I hope you don't go to a chiropractor either when you have a lower back injury. Because that was discovered by a man called D Palmer and he said he learned it while getting in contact with a spirit during a seance.
@@famvids9627 the fallen Angels taught man pharmacology and cutting of roots (herbalism) there’s lots of wisdom given by the angels that we use the issue is a stumbling block though you’re not going to hell for practicing yoga or taking fluid pills
@@off6848 so no medicine anymore either? And here we go down the superstitious rabbit hole.
@@famvids9627 no I’m saying if you’re gonna call someone out for yoga well technically pharmkea is demonic too
I don’t think we should squabble of these things
@@off6848 There's a lot of superstitious people here.. apparently Matt is promoting it.
Alex Frank needs to write a book on the evils of practicing yoga. He would be saving a lot of souls for Christ.
Yep, Yoga is a dangerous practice for those who don't want to face their dark side. Better to just project it all into some idea of Hell and pray to Jesus he'll save you from it.
He needs to read an actual book on yoga. He’s misinformed
@@King5Ever how so? 🤔
Absolutely saved, thank you Frank for sharing. Both yoga and Tai Chi
I would buy your book! There's a book by Fr. Federico Highton "Tanablies Tibetana" (SP?). But it's in Spanish. Please write the book.
This was fascinating and I can relate to your guest. I worked in new age store for over 20 years. Luckily, Jesus scooped me out of that hedonism disguised as spirituality. It hasn’t been an easy journey but I am so grateful.
I got out of new age and yoga because of Christ
Unfortunately Christian religion inherited the Semitic creed of the ‘jealous God’ in the view of Christ as ‘the only begotten son of God’ so could not brook any rival near the throne. The Christian religion, in spite of its own broad humanism, it accepted the fierce intolerance which is the natural result of belief. Hinduism at large does not contain that type of intolerance because doing so would convey possessiveness over the divine rather than reverence to it. To label eastern religions as hedonistic is like calling the catholic church a pediphile ring. Ganesh was beheaded by his father for defending the house of his mother and after his father realized it was Ganesh, he was recapitated by attaching elephant head to his body and then resurrected him. The possessiveness of divine brought to by Christianity brought a lot of disorder to societies like the inquisition and mass enslavement of native Americans.
What woke you up specifically?
@@ntl9974 There were multiple factors. I lived 2 blocks from a beautiful Church and the 83 year old nun, who still wore a habit, would walk the Priests dog and I started asking her questions. Then I became critically ill and a friend brought me a picture of St. Padre Pio. That Saint pulled me back from the brink of death and slowly but surely brought me to the Church. Happy Easter!
I enjoyed this interview. For me it was law of attraction. I didn't fully understand that I was doing anything wrong. Thanks be to God that He had pity on me & got me away from that. Somehow, somewhere, someone must have been praying for me because that's when I had my reversion back to Catholism.
Same here. Thank God! There are a lot of videos on RUclips of people having really bad experiences before they came back to Christ.
I guess going to a chiropractor for lower back injury is also demonic as is accepting any medical care because most of it comes from religious people of other faiths.
@@famvids9627 it probably is, so don't go to the chiropractor anymore. Just to be safe😒
@@jusme2888 hahaha... superstitious much? You do realize that the same could be said about nearly every other form of physical and mental health, correct?
@@famvids9627 I work in Healthcare, & also go to a chiropractor. My response wasn't meant to say I believed your statement, it was sarcasm at the extreme example lol. I'm not superstitious, my faith is rock solid--in God. (God made the chiropractor 🤓)
As a cradle Catholic, I'm always fascinated by these types of stories. Given the hostility in his social environment towards Catholicism, it is a miracle that he found his way to the faith. I'm sure his parents would have preferred he become anything but a Catholic.
ruclips.net/video/THV_u-ZlmRc/видео.html
Truth seekers, if they are honest, will have no choice but to be Catholic as everything points there.
As a cradle Catholic I found RCC to be superstitious, authoritarian, and not followed or even believed by the individuals in upper authoritarian hierarchy.
¿But why, @@Charity-vm4bt?
¿If the leadership doesn't practice or believe what they preach?
They act pagan and occult with their magical incantations that are supposed to be believed efficacious by the "faithful" in spite of the "priest" hierarchy not living anything other than just another career path to make a living.
"Do as I say, not as I do" doesn't even cut it in ordinary life,
and most certainly not in the spiritual life.
To be honest, @@Charity-vm4bt, I'm not at all enamored of the the Old Testament "god."
Particularly the "god" of Deuteronomy who the Bible describes as wrathful, jealous, vengeance seeking, fear demanding, and who endorses and even commands genocide, rape, slavery, etc. with the only requirement being "loyalty."
Sounds like an all powerful, disembodied donald trump.
Not an entity that should be worshipped in any way.
True, Jesus explicitly contradicted much of the barbaric OT rules, but I can't be party to a religion that still defines this atrocity condoning entity as "God."
What a great interview! In many Catholic women’s groups I’m in yoga is a “banned” topic because saying anything against it offends many women- but the truth needs to be shared. Thank you! And thank you for your service! My husband is an Air Force officer and we just got back from a tour in Germany. The military is a tough place to be right now if you’re a critical thinker. Much of what you said deeply resonated with our experience.
I've gotten shut down many a time for telling other Catholic women about the dangers of yoga. It's necessary to speak on!
I’ve noticed the same thing! It’s noticeable how aggressive the responses get from Catholic women defending their choice to practice yoga. Puts additional perspective on how demonic oppression can be brought about by delving into these types of practices.
Islam has strong teaching against yoga. It is one sin God cannot forgive.
@@stephanieremigio8351 So, you believe that a practicing Catholic can be oppressed by demons just because he practices some poses and stretches. Based on what? The experiences of a single individual you don't even happen to know... That's the definition of superstition.
@@AndMakrid Yeah. No such thing as spirits, or even evil.
Do whatever you want.
I am a Pilates instructor and Catholic convert as well. THANK YOU so much for giving us this information! I’ve been to a few yoga classes but never got into it and always felt a curious strangeness when practicing. Now I know why it felt weird and am so thankful I never dig into it deeper!! Thank you Alex for sharing your experience and learnings and thank you Matt for having Alex on the show! God bless you both 🙏
Do please be careful, Pilates too is the Devil! Say 5 Hail-Marys.
Please look into Pilates it has issues too.
Pilates is purely physical exercise (like most of what is called "yoga" these days) Reflect on why doing exercise makes you feel weird. Gyms are evil too?
Unfortunately Christian religion inherited the Semitic creed of the ‘jealous God’ in the view of Christ as ‘the only begotten son of God’ so could not brook any rival near the throne. The Christian religion, in spite of its own broad humanism, it accepted the fierce intolerance which is the natural result of belief. Hinduism at large does not contain that type of intolerance because doing so would convey possessiveness over the divine rather than reverence to it. To label eastern religions as hedonistic is like calling the catholic church a pediphile ring. Ganesh was beheaded by his father for defending the house of his mother and after his father realized it was Ganesh, he was recapitated by attaching elephant head to his body and then resurrected him. The possessiveness of divine brought to by Christianity brought a lot of disorder to societies like the inquisition and mass enslavement of native Americans.
Two guys with richness of knowledge and first hand experience are sharing their deepest thoughts. What a pleasure to listen to them! Alex Frank is a real truth seeker!
This is so interesting! I too was interested in Ken Wilbur, zen, taoism, Krishnamurti, Carl Jung, buddhism, hinduism, yoga, new age, Joseph Cambell, Eckhart Tolle, etc. I was comfortable being a spiritual seeker but didn't realize that I was opening myself up to something supernatural. I had some very strange experiences that seemed possibly demonic. I finally bought a book by Cardinal Ratzinger, then Pope Benedict. I felt a physical reorientation, I was no longer drawn to an inner search that all of these "systems" and teachers reinforced. I also felt a sense of peace that I had not felt in years. I wanted to look anywhere but the religion of my childhood.
Alex is very eloquent and did a great job warning of the dangers of nonduality and eastern mysticism.
I can totally relate to this. I have to check out the books you are talking about.
I also became insane because of all the stuff I read and practiced from Shivaism and Siddha Yoga, I even went to an ashram. I fell into it because when I needed God the most, the only things that I was able to find were all the oriental philosophies and books my father brought home from his youth in the 70's. I can say that there are levels of absurdity and idolatry in these philosophies and religions, for example, Taoism (like Alan Watts stuff) is more benign and only leaves you with a feeling of lacking something, while Hinduism or traditional Buddhism can become very dark and will surely mess you up. I returned after 10 years of mental health problems to Catholicism, and thanks God I was reborn, I rised up anew. I'm not kidding, it was everything I ever looked for. Praise the Lord!!
@@RodrigoMera Having that the mental health problems probably proceeded all of this... hyper-religious much? That's a warning sign of an increase in mental health problems.
@@RodrigoMera I’m glad that you’ve found the foundation we all need. Blessings.
0
I practiced yoga for health reasons only. Particularly it was the stretching that attracted me. Then it was the exercise itself.
Nevertheless, even if I was not spiritually searching for enlightenment in yoga. I noticed some sort of negative repercussions happening with my marriage and family relationships. Of course, I cannot pin point the blame to the practice of yoga. Still, I'd rather not do it anymore, rather than risking my own life and soul.
You can pinpoint the blame to the practice of yoga because the defenition of the word yoga means "to join" or "to yoke" or "to unite" you were yoking yourself your life to their "gods" in return you saw changes around you in your life.
Stretching mobility exercise is what the body needs without the ideology
@@jw-vx8im yeah - physical exercise is very healthy! Even if you want to avoid yoga because of spiritual reasons, it doesn't mean you can't replace it with something else. There's plenty of stretches out there. Maybe Tai Chi. Or just normal stretches. My friends' gym routine is mostly various stretches, that still build strength.. I think he got them from a physiology textbook.
@@josephbrandenburg4373 Tai Chi probably falls into the same category. Check a book called "Yoga, Tai Chi and Reiki" by Max Sculley DSL
@@josephbrandenburg4373Tai chi is the same thing but the Chinese version. It's about directing the flow of energy in the body
I really, really appreciate Alex’s knowledge and experience. Before listening I always figured I’d go back to a yoga class maybe one day - never heard anything super compelling as to why I shouldn’t. After your articulate and composed insight, I am resolute on my decision to walk away completely from a 15 year, daily practice. Thank you and God bless
Few Highlights of the Interview:
8:36 Matt " As a teenager i would say I'm spiritual not religious.And if I was to examine why I said that it's because I wanted some sort of depth and purpose to the universe but I didn't want to have to do anything that I didn't want to do. "
57:39 Alex: "You can only offer yourself so many times to another person before it starts having effects on the soul, but luckily Christ's grace is very healing."
01:05:20 Alex: "Our souls directly participates with God, but our bodies participates by overflow."
01:12:50 Alex: "When you put your trust in something, it does have big implications. And you get a lot more from them than you think you're getting. Or aware of getting."
01:24:50 Alex: Book recommendation- St.Theresa of Avila "The fulfillment of all desires." By Ralph Martin.
01:29:02 Alex: "Mindfulness is not secular."
01:33:22 Alex: "Secular society claims to be respectful of choices that people make." 😂
01:41:14 Alex: "Thomas Aquinas said that you can arrive at a understating of God through natural reasons but you can't arrive at doctrines of the Church, otherwise."
01:53:41 Matt: "Just because something is helpful, it doesn't mean it's good.Thomas Aquinas said that no one chooses evil because of evil. We choose evil because of an apparent good or a real good. "
01:55:22 Alex: "It is really important to put out good arguments."
02:04:39 Alex: "Service is to be done with humility."
02:08:42 Difference between Yoga and Christianity
02:25:04 Alex: "John of Cross says that even though the soul appears to be God because so much of God's light is shining through it but it remains ontologically different."
My son ended up in a mental hospital after supposedly having a kundalini awakening about15 years ago. Then came back to the Catholic Church and now he’s left again and is heavily involved in Vedic Astrology. Please Pray for him 🙏 I’m praying rosary and having masses offered for him and his girlfriend who is doing the same thing.
you should pray for yourself rather your son, he will be fine, but you are clearly not doing well. repent!
Prayed that the Lord would demonstrate to you and love ones His work and path.
Bible based . Catholic Churches is not Bible based
Pilates has yoga roots too.
Maybe get him some mental help
Matt, I think this is your best interview ever. In the sense that this is your best job interviewing. Your ignorance and curiosity about the topic is so relatable, and your focus and ability to follow the narrative is phenomenal. The questions you ask are extraordinary-both poignant and humble. I was not initially interested in the topic of yoga, but I’m so glad I watched. Well done, my man
This man is an amazing teacher. Would like to hear more.
I was seeking relief from insomnia so I started doing yoga and while meditating on a yoga mat, I was able to see everyone’s aura. It freaked me out so much that I ran to the nearest Catholic church and cried, and I clearly heard God say “what do you think you’re doing? You’re mine!”
I am so glad you ran back to Jesus xx
It was my trip to batangas church of Padre Pio that has brought me here. Salamat po
Too many sleeping tablets.
Lol you need to be on medication
Not gonna lie, you sound like a crazy person
I m from India and I can easily relate to the experience and concepts Alex shares. Yoga is a technique of self deification by first being open nd connecting with everything and next realizing you have mastery over everything very diabolical because there is no objective moral authority that a yogi need to conform.
Having dabbled in yoga before my conversion to Catholicism, I wanted to thank you two gentlemen for this very interesting conversation. Mr. Frank is incredibly articulate about his experiences and what he shares I believe can be helpful to a lot of people. Mr. Fradd was very good in bringing out great insights from Mr. Frank. Well done and God bless you both.
I hope you don't dabble into Chiropractic care ever when you have a lower back injury... Because that was learned by Dd Palmer from a is from a spirit during a seance. Of course the idea that you can't practice yoga for exercise and you can't practice Chiropractic for lower back care is stupid.
Unfortunately Christian religion inherited the Semitic creed of the ‘jealous God’ in the view of Christ as ‘the only begotten son of God’ so could not brook any rival near the throne. The Christian religion, in spite of its own broad humanism, it accepted the fierce intolerance which is the natural result of belief. Hinduism at large does not contain that type of intolerance because doing so would convey possessiveness over the divine rather than reverence to it. To label eastern religions as hedonistic is like calling the catholic church a pediphile ring. Ganesh was beheaded by his father for defending the house of his mother and after his father realized it was Ganesh, he was recapitated by attaching elephant head to his body and then resurrected him. The possessiveness of divine brought to by Christianity brought a lot of disorder to societies like the inquisition and mass enslavement of native Americans.
@@newjerseylion4804 stop copy pasting
I wish I could've listened to this interview 8 years ago.
I've wrestled with myself about whether it's okay for me to do yoga for a long time. This was extremely helpful to me. Thank you
But then you have apologists like Jimmy Akin say if you’re intent is to do it for actual physical thing like flexibility then it’s ok.
@@mareeyo1 Jimmy akin is right... He knows what hes talking about. Saying that it's wrong to do yoga is like saying it's wrong to go to the chiropractor when you have a lower back injury. Chiropractic is based on the idea of a subluxation. DD Palmer said it was a religious experience that he learned from a spirit during a seance. But I'm sure that all of the catholics on this thread including Matt frad go to the chiropractor simply to get their lower back injury taking care of and get their spy and adjusted. Just like most people practice yoga for the exercise and the mindfulness parts.
@@famvids9627 funny you say that because I’m a chiropractor 😆
@@mareeyo1 bahahaha... did you read dd palmers biography where he said this?
@@famvids9627 a really I have not heard about this at all but def will look it up
This was a wonderful podcast. The world of yoga is so commercial and omnipresent these days that I had no idea about almost all of these concepts. Incredibly informative!
This is one of the most edifying conversations I've heard in a long time. Thank you.
Exactly... the best ever in YT for alooooooong time.
Yoga....take what resonates & leave the rest. Getting in touch with my own breath aligned with movement helped lead me back to my catholic faith & brought strength to my body. Don't judge what you don't understand, this conversation is just one person's perspective.
Thank you. There’s nothing wrong with stretching and breathing. I don’t chant mantras or even follow any flows or think of deities. It’s simply a flowing pilates workout. So remember people you can always stretch, breath, and do pilates. They aren’t interrelated into other religions just simply physical movement that is meant to help tone and stretch your muscles while enduring some cardio.
Some people love to talk about like, "gateway evils" without realizing in doing so they're giving it more power than it has or would have had otherwise. I don't understand this kind of fear if you're faithful and believe that God is your protector and your shelter. Seems like scrupulosity meets needing an easy scapegoat for issues of faith (that go way beyond a secular highly commercialized form of exercise).
Agreed. This a prime example of conformation bias . His ideas have no basis in logic. By his reasoning we can say ‘guns are a gateway to something more evil’.
@@sometimescharlotte5243 thank you 🙏 yes
Thanks, it's amazing how many Christians and Catholics participate in yoga.
Matt, would you ever consider speaking at Texas A&M university at College Station? I'm sure St. Mary's and our incredible Catholic Community would love to have you here!
Ahhh I’m there if that happens!!
Great idea!
I'm in Cstat too!!! Please come
Hey Matt. I loved your content on today’s video. You have been been helping me grow deeper as a Catholic. Loved how you went in depth with Yoga and added some other things here and there. Wishing we could grab some coffee and talk about our faith lol. Take care.
Wow, thanks so much!
@@Charity-vm4bt Thomas Merton was a Gnostic?
Matt, I love you! You are a good man, and I enjoy your shows. I will say I was shocked though at your lack of awareness of who Aleister Crowley was, and the tremendous role he has played in the darkening of out times. Because of his role, I think you may find him worth looking further into.
You'd be stunned at how little I know, friend.
@@pintswithaquinas 🤣 And this, my Brother in Christ, is why I love you! 🤣 Thanks for making me laugh this morning. Hope you and your family have a blessed weekend!
All is Grace - He was one of the people on the Sgt. Peppers Beatles album? Certainly was an indication of his influence on the 20th century.
@@VABE81030 Yes. Absolutely!
@@pintswithaquinas Crowley's friend list is a veritable "who's who" of the modern age. His acolytes built the rock culture and much of the modern global conciousness. The Beatles, Ozzy Osbourne, Jimmy Page; the 60's pastors who called rock "devil's music" that I used to mock were 100% right.
Please pray for my cousin. She was raised Protestant but has become very eastern and mystical and is a passionate yogi. She’s a beautiful person but has embraced a lifestyle which is not centered on God and states that everyone is “divine.” I fear the conclusions that she has reached as well for the long term state of her soul.
Thank you 🙏🏻
It seems the prayers are already working 😉
Wow The explanation of the yoga poses was chilling! I was deep in New Age practices and practiced yoga for many years not fully understanding the meaning of yoga. It wasn’t until I was delivered suddenly from all my New Age practices that I discovered the real meaning of yoga. I thank God that he had mercy on me and delivered me from that life and I try to spread awareness around yoga. Sadly I have friends who don’t believe the dangers and just this week I had a friend respond that if it means worshipping many gods so be it as long as it helps. I am praying deeply for her. Great discussion. Very edifying. God Bless you both.
Lord, in your mercy, hear this prayer!
This is the best ever in depth explanation on yoga! What a great interview. Up to now there has only been bits of information here and there about it; this is excellent. Thoroughly enjoyed it
If you take their word for it but if you take the word for it you patient go to a doctor ever again either or a chiropractor.
@@famvids9627 Exactly. I had a really paralyzingn low back pain and my chiropractor made it disappear. We have the best professionals in the world. (the best $ 95 I spent!).
This explains so much, so clearly. Most of my experience with yoga was with other martial arts stealing some stances for stretching. I'd always defend it because there is nothing particularly evil about calling something "cobra stretch" - as long as the class didn't emphasize spiritually, it seemed fine.
The one time I did an actual yoga class (pickup on a Catholic youth trip), it felt so wrong. But I kept telling myself it was just exercise, up until the end where he wanted us to "bow to the god in each of us" and I refused. Still told myself it was just stretching, but if rather not bow to ...something.
I also find it telling that there are no comments refuting his information, just replies that say he is wrong with no backup info, or snide insults.
This interview was really good. I loved the detail he goes into. I could have listened for more hours!
At 1:06:00 - Alex's answer to what the difference is between yoga and pilates is excellent esp. when he says "regardless to your subjective intent in doing it"
This is such a wonderful, calm conversation that is very matter of fact. I've seen other sources that don't seem as reputable because they are basically just screaming, "yoga is demonic!! Don't do it!" This conversation actually gives a very in-depth background.
Anyone who found this discussion interesting should read The Gurus, the Young Man, and Elder Paisios.
It's the story of a Greek guy who was in a similar situation as Mr. Frank and had a lot of miraculous Christian experiences but also demonic ones when he traveled to India to spend time with the Yogi gurus. It's a wild story that will give you a deep sense of the spiritual danger of Yoga and Hinduism, and it also helps you realize that you're struggling with the same spiritual forces every day, even if you're less aware of them.
That story is super dope. St Paisios is the man.
Great book
A fantastic book ! Read it upon recommendation at the Orthodox reddit.
Thanks for the suggestion! I am going to look for the original in Greek! Sounds interesting.
Do you know where to find this book?
Thank you for this interview Alex and Matt! Very knowledgeable discussion! It made many aspects of yoga clearer and helped me understand why some of my friends who did it, at some point, started having adverse spiritual effects. Thank you Alex for sharing your journey in finding Christ :) God bless
I am embarrassed to say I had. I idea that yoga was anything but exercise. Being born Catholic it is not an area of study I was aware of. Such interesting content. Thanks Matt for bringing my this to my attention
Dont take his word for everything... alot of the stuff that he says on here is just nonsense. For example is understanding of Islam as way off the mark and if you take his idea that you can't practice yoga purely as exercise without taking on the spirit then you can't go to a chiropractor either because that was discovered by a man who said that he learned it from a spirit during a seance. You don't have to have a degree in science like I do to know this much... It's common sense if you really think about it.
I'd love for this episode to be subtitled into Korean. In the archdiocese I live in, they teach yoga at the archdiocesan life-long learning centre. Just so sad.
I think there are subtitles available if you need them
@@Morlla234 Yes but not in Korean unfortunately.
Let's pray they change
I have done both Pilates and yoga but found I wasn't drawn at all to yoga. Just the opposite with Pilates. I'm glad to hear this explanation. I have several friends who are very into yoga. It is huge here.
Caryl Matrisciana who used to be a Yoga instructor, wrote about the deceit of this method/way of life. The book's title is The Gods of the New Age.
And you can find the documentary right here on RUclips. I thoroughly enjoyed it!
@Adam A. I would not want either the bastardized Yoga nor the traditional Yoga. Because I reject Hinduism and its fruits.
@Adam A. I agree with you Adam!
I do yoga poses following a dvd. The instructor does not use Sanskrit references to name poses. I do not attach a formal intention to the exercise, I just focus on breathing oxygen to the muscles being stretched. I wear my scapular always and exercise after my daily morning rosary. The basic yoga poses have really helped my back pain to no detriment of my faith. To me, it’s just exercise. I would never go to a class. I also do pilates at home.
Yes. This. I don’t think there’s anything mystical about certain body movements. Perhaps a lifestyle of pursuing eastern religions is bad… fair enough… but does that mean everything a Buddhist does is bad? I don’t believe so. They drink water too… can you believe it? 😆 To me this is like saying… okay rock stars are known for their hedonism, drugs and groupies, etc… therefore… don’t learn the guitar, because clearly it’s a gateway to the devil. Same logic.
Really great stuff. We need to talk about yoga in this way more. My husband is an orthodox deacon and has been warning people and talking about Aleister Crowley for decades. Thank you.
Crowley seems like a nutter
A.C. is really BAD!!! LIKE A SHIPWRECK WAITING TO HAPPEN!!! GOOD FOR YOUR HUSBAND!!🕊️✝️🕊️❤️☘️
One of the best PWA vids I’ve seen. Can’t believe I slept on it
Btw, I used to watch ASMR Reiki things cause I didn’t take it seriously and it *did* create those tingling sensations a LOT more than most regular ASMR but I noticed I had weirder dreams. I have a very active dream life but those dreams were “otherworldly” and just so strange. They put me in a weirder state of mind and would wake up gasping for air and the like with gory images and weird sounds from my nightmares. I didn’t connect them until I just stopped and would start again and they seemed connected. So yeah, careful with that stuff.
I use the Bible app to sleep to. Just set a timer, and you can have scripture spoken over you while you sleep.
must be tired... I read the title as "Why Yoda is Evil..." and was preparing to explain why star wars movie made after '83 weren't as good as the old ones... cheers
😆
😂😂😂
I'm an acupuncturist and Catholic. The church allows medical acupuncture which is basically trigger point therapy even though the French monks brought acupuncture to the west. With today's modern technology we can see how acupuncture really works with the nervous system and circulatory system. I get into discussions with non catholic Christians who call me a witchdoctor, satanic practice etc. Makes me really upset. In school they discussed different religions and cultures in the east so I'm familiar with some of the Hindu beliefs but one other catholic girl and I would walk out of class wondering why are we learning this. Acupuncture really had nothing to do with religions. Yin and yang were explained to us as the sun rises there is a shadow from the mountain and as the sun sets there is a small amount of light from the moon in the dark. Then they relate that to movement and cold and hot.. I saw no religion in that. They deleted that class the following year. We also had a clinic at the retired nuns home in Milwaukee to give them treatments a few times a week. I know I've helped hundreds of people who were suffering especially the trigeminal neuralgia patients. So I question am I doing he Lord's work just because some other Christians have that thought process?
Personally I’m a Catholic & long time chiropractor & experience similar to u in helping a lot of people deeply.. I don’t think I’m “doing the Lord’s work”, I just get to be of service to others w/ my expertise. Yes healing is spiritual… but I don’t do it.. that’s btwn them & God. I just get to create the space for it.
My husband and I have both used acupuncture for medical reasons. Only once did my husband have an experience that made him uncomfortable. It was with an Acupuncturist who he had never seen before (the one we typically used was very clear that he didn’t believe in a spiritual component). He was so uncomfortable during it that he spent the whole time praying Hail Marys. My guess is the practitioner was also into Reiki or something else “spiritual”. I think used in a medical sense there is nothing wrong with acupuncture and it can provide a lot of benefit to many people. And even if there are some weird beliefs behind some of it, my understanding is none of them are about worshipping a deity. I think you should ignore people who are critical…I personally don’t think it’s the same as Yoga. Although I would love to learn more and hear more theological discussions around it.
It appears that it is trendy now to do the same thing with Yoga. The practice of what is now called Yoga is such a broad category, and there is much of it that is completely divorced from any religion. I've done Yoga off and on my whole life and never known it was related to Hinduism at all. The guest is talking about getting very deep into the spiritual aspects of it; and the host is begging him to talk about the most negative and darkest people associated with it. Just because Alastair Crowley (sp) practiced or was interested in Yoga, does not make him the purveyor of it. He was a very prominent occultist. Much like the guest laughs about and obviously enjoys his beer - one could pull up a lot of darkness surrounding alcohol. A lot. I'm sure there are many who would make cases for it leading them to evil. So, it is very possible to use yoga as physical exercise, and for it to be completely benign.
Are you in the Milwaukee area? I realize you wouldn't want to give contact info here.
Maybe it’s cause I’m Asian but I have never in my life associated acupuncture with religion. My friend who has a Chinese background and is very devout Catholic knows about acupuncture and her mom who is also devout practices it. I’ve always seen it as a legitimate medical thing or at the very least helpful like how massage and chiropractors are helpful
Doing God's work means God heals( not a human ) or not+ always compare with the Scriptures.
Yes!
I was in a yoga sanga or 'family' for years and then after a meetup a few years ago it has been nothing but hellish spiritual/psychological torture that I would describe as demonic.
I'M OUT OF THAT YOGA FAMILY!
Essential oils are from flowers and other natural resins. They are the basis of early pharmacology and still the basis of some effective treatments. For instance, I make a capsule of lavender, lemon, and peppermint that helps my husband's hay fever. He used to suffer a lot during the late summer/fall. Now - no problem. He just takes the capsules as needed.
My husband is thankful to you for finally convincing me against yoga. 😂 Your arguments were quite compelling and I was really struck by your emphasis on the dangers of imitating pagan rituals and practices.
For more direct data regarding the dangers check out youtube presentations by Kyle Clement. He is directly involved in official Catholic exorcism and the monitoring of individuals suffering from harassment and possession.
Praise God 💯👏
There was a time my sister was into yoga. I remember she came by to visit me at university and wanted to go to hot yoga. I was fasting during this time because of lent, so I hadn’t eaten anything all day. I was also wearing a huge cross necklace from my grandma. I remember almost passing out because of how hot the room was (hot yoga) I ran out and soon my sister followed. I always look back and think that maybe God was protecting me from falling into this. Thank God I was fasting and praying 🙏🏻
Loved the video Matt. You’ll definitely have to get a clip starting at 1:05:40. It is super helpful given that there are many Catholics (and even practicing and devout Catholics) who are very dismissive towards the dangers of yoga.
Agree! There’s a teachers yoga group at my catholic school. My mum dismissed the dangers as well she reckons she’s there just for the exercise…
Thanks for the jump to the topic of interest 🙂
@@kcc879 it’s shockingly common within the Church. And there has been little to no real discussion about it. I think even this video could have gone some more in depth, but it’s a great start
I listened to this Video many times and will continue to listen more times ! Alex Frank is lead by the Holy Ghost of God , very knowledgeable and loves the True God Jesus Christ ❤ I am a South Indian Cradle Catholic, my Parents taught us the difference between Christianity and Hinduism! I’m totally against yoga 🧘♀️ Praise and Glory to You Lord Jesus Christ ✝️🙏🏼
thank you. I have been a dabbler in yoga stretching for years, and a recently born again christian. I just heard about the evils of yoga and immediately repented. This was helpful in my research and I intend to spread the warning😊
I’m glad Alex Frank spoke about how the postures themselves aren’t necessarily spiritual (although I did not know that about warrior pose!). I used to attend yoga classes until I experienced a yoga nidra class that seemed hypnotic and trance-like. Then I decided to continue the stretching poses while praying the scriptural Rosary, which is how I start each morning.
B M please read my post above. God bless
Just do regular old calisthenics and say the rosary afterwards.
This is an amazing interview. I too who love to read an in-depth book by Alex Frank. God bless this young man.
Alex is a fascinating individual. Your long interviews have intoduced some really great people to this misanthrope.
This was such a fascinating and engaging interview! And I was in the same place as Matt with the HP analogy, so I learned so much. Edit: also, this guy is so articulate. I would totally be interested in reading his work. I wish there were links to his articles in the description!
I was gonna tell you about this video! And then I come on here to find you already left a comment! 😂😊😊
Is fascinating might be the word for it... It was gonna call it stupid. The idea that you can't practice yoga without taking on the spirit of yoga that's evil is like saying that you can't go to a chiropractor for a lower back injury because Chiropractic was learned by DD Palmer who discovered it from a spirit during a seance. Also can't take aspirin anymore because that was actually Discovered by African animists while they were practicing their form of spirituality that Matt would equally object to. This can be said about almost every form of therapeutic practice. I guess we'll stick to the word interesting to describe something that's nonsensical.
Hands down his best interview, the right questions at the right time. He need to print this post!
Thank you again Matt for the great interview. I listened to this entire podcast almost straight through and suddenly it was 12:30AM! 😳 Fascinating and timely topic. I hope you can have him back to discuss his next steps.
Also, I uses peppermint on my forehead when I get sinus pressure and it drains my sinuses and relieves my headache. Now, Alex is right to say that fanaticism in oils can lead to some superstitious thinking. But, basically, the single and blends of oils can help with your day-to-day healthy life.
I did yoga for a while, and it lead me into disaster. i thank God that by grace i found my way back to Catholicism 🙏🙏🙏
So happy he mentioned Kali because I experienced this deity, and it is up to no good. I regret my past choices a lot---
Yoga come from the root word ( Yuj meaning to YOKE / Unite) in Sanskrit an ancient and most difficult language to learn in India.
You are yoking to SHIVA the god of Destruction with a Serpant coiled around his neck. You "WORSHIP Shiva when you do the different Asanas/chants/Slokas etc.
One cannot separate the Mind, Body, SPIRIT elements of yoga - that is wishful thinking. I am an Indian and seen stuff first hand.
The most " Dangerous" yoga is the "Kundalini Yoga" which most Yoga Gurus will not teach you. WHY? Is it Health or is it Stealth?
The gods of the pagans are Demons Psalm 96:5 The devil being very smart wants Worship and gets it without the persons knowledge (specifically Westerners who are clueless - like lamb led to the slaughter)
JESUS Christ says in Matthew 11:29 _ Take my "YOKE" upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is EASY and my burden is light."
Excorcists will tell you about yoga being one of many entry point of demonic possession. The late chief Excorcist of Rome Fr Gabriel Amorth is on record saying Harry Potter and Yoga is Satanic. Read his excellent books I've seen everything he says to be true.
Shalom of Christ
Thank you so very much for this program how educational!!!!
So important that we Catholics know about this. I too did yoga before I realized how evil it is. Thank you. Amen
@@loveisaih2020 Hi Julian were you born into Hinduism?
At one point I went to levitation with a yogi visiting Australia. I found that I ended up fighting myself so to speak as there was something that was conflicting.
I remember hearing that the deities lead to God but like Shiva they all have these different personas. Was that about the illusions that these deities present?
I think if you come from any of the monotheistic faiths it's hard to get your head around.
One thing I did notice is that most people that are into meditation/yoga are there to improve but I observed many got worse before or if they ever got better. Maybe seeing this was the sin I needed to go.
@j w G'day mate a fellow Aussie here. No I was born in India and spent 18 yrs in India and saw things first hand. A revert to Catholicism from agnostic/atheism but since 1997 have been delving deep into the various Scriptures eg Quran, Vedas wanting just to find the TRUTH. Assuming your a Christian and were baptised (you became a child of God)and you cannot serve 2 masters - that was your conflict
Maya originally denoted the magic power with which a god can make human beings believe in what turns out to be an illusion.
Maya/Magic/Illusions are part and parcel of Yoga first and foremost a Spiritual discipline. Not doubt there are INITIAL Benefits of doing Yoga. The devil is not fool. Why do a discipline where there is no benefit or good vibes/feelings?
The Bible says the gods of the pagans are Demons - Psalm 95:5 and the devil comes as an agel of light - 2 Cor 11:14. One inadvertently opens a "Doorway" into one's life (an Excorcist will reveal this) when we dabble into Eastern mysticism yoga, feng shui, vastu Shastru, Harry Potter, ouija board and new age stuff. If you are a catholic please make a good confession naming each one.
According to Hindu philosophy, notably in the Advaita (Nondualist) school of Vedanta everything is an illusion or Maya reality doesn't exist. Shalom of Christ
I see you using the prayer hands emoji. I just wanted to tell you, that has origins in Hinduism, it's not from the bible, not one verse.
It's a yoga position called the anjali mudra, you can google it.
Kali is actually destroys demons that's her sole job, so killing demons is no good? So we should just let them run rampant then?
So killing demons, is up to no good, okay.
Hi Matt and Alex, thank you for this video.. thought this topic needed more time and may be covered in a series rather than a single 2 hours video.. the new age is a serious concern and we need a proper understanding of the dangers in it.. Alex referred to the demonic but how does physical actions leads one to the demonic..
Hope we get to see some more of Alex in your interviews...
This man was so thoughtful and deliberate with all of his answers. That is a goal i have in my life.
Matt, your questions were really excellent. Thank you so much for covering this so thoroughly, it is really helpful. May God bless and guide Alex in his new journey. Just love these videos.
Excellent! This interview provides the best comprehensive understanding of yoga. When will Mr. Frank write a book about this? Get him out there to the high schools and colleges to teach this truth about yoga.
Oils have natural properties, like eating a vegetable soup with garlic and herbs. What one smells has an effect on the brain as well as applying products to the skin, it will absorb and cause a cellular reaction. We should remember that a lot of meds are made from plants, same as oils are made from plants. Loved the talk, very informative!
As a Protestant I practiced yoga because I really need the sacred sacramental life found in Catholicism. Meditation, intentional bodily postures, connection with our heavenly family, our Mother Mary. I practiced yoga from age 13 to 30 and taught it for many years.
Please consider writing a book or more articles. I haven’t found many intelligent Catholics online who really know yoga well enough. It’s very frustrating to hear people immediately demonize it or say “it’s just exercise.” We need compassionate and intelligent people explaining it systematically. I will pray for you. You will get a lot of backlash. People love their yoga.
“I practice yoga because I need The sacramental life of The church?!! This phrase makes absolutely no sense.. what did you want to write?
Yoga come from the root word ( Yuj meaning to YOKE / Unite) in Sanskrit an ancient and most difficult language to learn in India.
You are yoking to SHIVA the god of Destruction with a Serpant coiled around his neck. You "WORSHIP Shiva when you do the different Asanas/chants/Slokas etc.
One cannot separate the Mind, Body, SPIRIT elements of yoga - that is wishful thinking. I am an Indian and seen stuff first hand.
The most " Dangerous" yoga is the "Kundalini Yoga" which most Yoga Gurus will not teach you. WHY? Is it Health or is it Stealth?
The gods of the pagans are Demons Psalm 96:5 The devil being very smart wants Worship and gets it without the persons knowledge (specifically Westerners who are clueless - like lamb led to the slaughter)
JESUS Christ says in Matthew 11:29 _ Take my "YOKE" upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is EASY and my burden is light."
Excorcists will tell you about yoga being one of many entry point of demonic possession. The late chief Excorcist of Rome Fr Gabriel Amorth is on record saying Harry Potter and Yoga is Satanic. Read his excellent books I've seen everything he says to be true.
Shalom of Christ
@@PaliciCristina I think that what Arielle is trying to say is that Yoga has a reverential atmosphere, especially compared to normal exercise. Catholic sacraments are physical gestures and materials that signify deeper spiritual workings. When done with reverence, they especially capture our hearts. That attracted me to Yoga as well. But I realized eventually that yoga is not reverencing the right things.
Well said Arielle. I will write. Let us lead more people to the light of Christ!
@@alexanderfrank7578 Hey Alex, any chance you could link me a source for that matsyendra story? I couldn't find your email, hopefully this gets to you
This topic of discussion is so important for our culture today. Please speak more about your experience and keep sharing your knowledge Alex. It should be known on every street corner everywhere! This helped answer many of my questions, one being about that elephant and also the reason WHY we shouldn't open ourselves up to Yoga. Even when you tell people it's bad they don't listen. Your reasoning was the most in depth I have ever heard. So much more psychologically explained and you can tell you actually know what you are talking about. THIS IS SO RARE. You have got to share your story as much as possible.
From first hand experience, yoga is not simply exercise, especially if you attend a class. Some Catholics are very ignorant (including myself at one point) to think there is nothing wrong with it. First and foremost it is against the First Commandment of God. Second, it can open the door to evil. Excellent work, Matt… need to make Catholics aware of this!
Not in an accusatory way. But how does it conflict the 1st commandment?
@@mntomovi I don't think so : devotion to God in the traditional Christian way is called Bhakti-yoga and actually fewer Indians depart from a strictly devotional approach to religion and practice yoga exercises than there are Westerners to do them. The real problem with Hinduism where it may seriously jeopardize your Christian faith, and especially your liberty as a child of God, is the quest and cult of the guru. It is not with yoga, bar a few far-fetched exercises like kundalini that are not part of classical Hinduism but of Hindu magic.
@@MrMirville that's what it felt like to me too. My "conflict " in this is actually Capoeira but that's where I've felt it to be right
I find it odd how extensive the warnings are about yoga classes and yet it was a yoga teacher who introduced Alex to Christ in such a deep way that it inspired his path to Catholicism. I was also invited into a deeper relationship with Christ by a yoga teacher. I will be forever grateful to him. Auras and chakras are a scientific reality as is the fact that our systems are more electro magnetic than physical (as are atoms) It is not a religious issue. Intention is key. Yoga postures were developed to balance the endocrine system, give health and flexibility to the body as well as a quieting the mind in order to have a system that supports deep contemplation rather than sabotaging it with distraction.
My sister practices some yoga and seems to be getting into other concerning practices. I stumbled upon this and hope the information will help me to help my sister. I thought yoga was harmless so long as you didn't do the spiritual stuff...but I know now that even doing some RUclips videos for my back pain was not good. I want to help my sister, who's struggling in so many different areas and not in a good place. If anyone sees this, please pray for her.
This was a fantastic conversation! God bless this gentleman in his journey. How our Lord is blessing his Church with individuals like Alex.
Insightful and very much appreciated interview. Excellent points and glad you did your research. Alex, Please do write the book! It will help the church. Thank you and May God bless you.
That "spine tingly" feeling is something i only experience in 2 situations: when a cold draft suddenly blows by me, and when I am in good prayer to the Lord.
Look into asmr. The phenomena of it being a tingling of the spine I mean. Just be careful because some people get that tingly feeling from asmr videos that are about things like yoga and reiki, so you might find videos of that if you look it up online. But asmr, the feeling of tingling, can be induced from positive or neutral things like prayer or whispering more generally and there are just a variety of “triggers” for it
🤯 this is absolutely an eye opener - thank you Matt and Alex for sharing
Incredible discussion! Thank you both! So thorough and intelligent. God bless you 🙏🏼
All very interesting. I came from an extremely liberal background where everyone approved Eastern practices as opposed to Christianity. And then I converted to Catholicism. I’ve always wondered about these questions, how the two may overlap (at eg contemplative prayer), and how to practice stretching without including the “spiritual” aspect of yoga. Practising pilates seems like a good solution.
This was an incredibly enjoyable and informative interview. I love how calm Alex Frank is and the way he articulates his thoughts. Thank you Matt!
He’s calm from all th yoga he’s done.. just kidding.
Thank you for posting this. We need more of this type of content - to expose more of these dangerous and false practices that are often considered benign or harmless. Far too many of us are falling for these things out of ignorance. (I can personally attest to this.) Unfortunately, some people never make their way out of it. Please keep these videos coming!
P.S. Aleister Crowley is still BIG in many circles today beyond just yoga. Beware.
This was another stunning interview. I learned alot. The origins of Yoga alone would be a very good resource as a book.
Best podcast I’ve heard in a while. Very informative, and essential to understand.
Wow. His experience was so different from mine. I was 25 years with a yoga group that followed an Indian guru and respected lineage going back centuries. We were not mainstream at all. The aim was to bring more health and peace into people's lives. And it did for sure. I'm convinced that it's our childhood unhealed traumas influencing our relationships and group dynamics. And our group definitely had that. When you have a guru who is not traumatized from life it's a totally different thing. I came to the Lord less than a year ago because the peace wasn't enough for me. I also grew tired of the group dynamics, which is in the church as well though! Now I finally see that I was on that yoga path to learn some vital skills for this next stage of my life. Yoga based on image, money, and unhealed wounds, (plus without wisdom) is a whole other field open for dark influence.
🐍and this is a bird.
Agree
re: "mindfulness" the activity of "mindfulness meditations" can be done in a secular fashion and has done wonders in anxiety and panic disorders. Saying you can't do mindfulness exercises without the divine aspect is like saying you can't bend your knees or stoop at any time without it being a devotion to x pagan god. Just because the guy who commercialized the term believes every time you stoop it's a devotion, doesn't mean it is.
Chiropractic was founded by DD Palmer, yet he claimed that he learned it during a seance. He also believed it to be a religious experience. I guarantee that both of these guys think that Chiropractic can be practiced without practicing DD Palmer's religion.
We could really benefit from someone like Alex doing real Catholic politics.
I think that is a great idea. God knows what is best, but I think he would do well doing that.
Bahahaha... if you think superstitious people should be leading a nation.
Bahaha... As if he would survive in the toxic pool of modern politics.
Nah nah nah nah.
What a awesome interview. Frank´s voice is so calmed. He knows so many things, he would be a great apologist.
Praise be to God
One of the best interviews I’ve experienced. I learned so much about something I never got into but always heard about in such a positive way.
This gentleman has the most convoluted path I have ever seen. Going from physics to the marines to yoga.
That is like going from battleships to kayaks to prams.
Did he say army, not marines? Or am i crazy? Ima rewatch
Your comment is pretty darn cute!
I run uphill 30 x 100 meter intervils . I run up and walk down . I find it realy hard somtimes , i'm getting on in age . I meditate on Christ carrying his cross when i'm
Struggle for breath and in pain .I find this a good supplement for prayer.
Offering up to the cross of Jesus Christ for every small or big challenges bring us across the line where one would like to meet.
Very understandable and deep explanation of a very confusing practice. Thank you so much.
33:43 it becomes clearer as the interview goes on that this gentleman has differed one of the most common afflictions of our age - spiritual tourism. Just as when we become tourists to visit another country or culture, we get a general flavor, but never get the deep understanding of that place or people, and likewise, find ourselves definitively saturated with an understanding, made up of stereotypes, and misconceptions. As Alan Watts so aptly noted, “rather than searching for the perfect religion, the beginner is better served by persistence with one - anyone, through which his powers of devotion, insight, and discrimination will naturally grow.” Eastern religions are no more plagued by drug use than any other religion. Any serious practiciner of yoga, zen, Buddhism, etc abhors the artificial alteration of the mind through substance use, indulgence in sexuality and materialism, selfishness, etc. To state otherwise exposes a massive degree of ignorance about these traditions. It is akin to suggesting that the Christian tradition is based upon the hedonistic and pornographic exploits of dozens of sex crazed popes and priests. Sweeping Generalizations are always an excellent indicator of an individuals limited knowledge.
Thank you for giving a full interview. 😍 (Buddha was not 2500 BC, but 2500 years ago.)
Hi, Matt! This was one of my most awaited videos, but unfortunately couldn’t watch it live. I’m a Catholic as you may know, but I did practice “kundalini awakening” which is a form of Yoga, and I did experience unusual experiences twice (was pleasant), but nothing ever matched the happiness that I used to have when I attended the mass. Yoga feels good, but when you understand the truth about it, you’ll start to feel its unpleasant nature. It feels sad to look at the yogis who’s been spending all their lives in some form of Yoga thinking that they would attain* enlightenment.
Yoga come from the root word ( Yuj meaning to YOKE / Unite) in Sanskrit an ancient and most difficult language to learn in India.
You are yoking to SHIVA the god of Destruction with a Serpant coiled around his neck. You "WORSHIP Shiva when you do the different Asanas/chants/Slokas etc.
One cannot separate the Mind, Body, SPIRIT elements of yoga - that is wishful thinking. I am an Indian and seen stuff first hand.
The most " Dangerous" yoga is the "Kundalini Yoga" which most Yoga Gurus will not teach you. WHY? Is it Health or is it Stealth?
The gods of the pagans are Demons Psalm 96:5 The devil being very smart wants Worship and gets it without the persons knowledge (specifically Westerners who are clueless - like lamb led to the slaughter)
JESUS Christ says in Matthew 11:29 _ Take my "YOKE" upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is EASY and my burden is light."
Excorcists will tell you about yoga being one of many entry point of demonic possession. The late chief Excorcist of Rome Fr Gabriel Amorth is on record saying Harry Potter and Yoga is Satanic. Read his excellent books I've seen everything he says to be true.
I would strongly urge you Brother to confess this to a priest at your next confession.
God bless
Shalom of Christ
@@loveisaih2020 Thank you so much, Julian. I’m an Indian as well and I totally understand and agree with all you have mentioned. Even I came to realise recently via Matt’s discussion with Father Vincent Lampert on this channel. I will confess this in my next confession.
@@CanisDei Praise the good Lord Brother. Hosea4:6 says " My people PERISH for lack of Wisdom". I was a born but non practising ( actually an agnostic/atheist) catholic. Growing up I was confused as a kids with pantheon of hindu gods, Allah ho Akbar Azaan @ 5am and Bad examples of Catholics outside and inside.
Migrating to the West at 18yrs old and by my mid 20s I was convinced God didn't exist. I married a Hindu girl in temple, went to Mosque(offered chaddar) Temple, Gurudwara as a kid ate prayed, bhog, pooja at friends house, aarti. Saw manifestation of demonic spirit in Kali, Durga, Mangala Maa, Tiger Dance festivals, etc.
Through a series of tragedies found my Lord Jesus (I asked him to prove HIS "existence" and the Good LORD performed a 1 in 2 million rare medical Miracle) and HIS one and only Catholic Church(history proves it) every thing the Church teaches and does has DIVINE Authority behind it. I have seen even the amazing effects(used with simple faith) and power behind Sacramentals like blessed Holy water, Salt, Oil. I got rid of New Age stuff ( nothing new, all OLD only new packaging) laughing Buddha, Wind chimes, money plant etc.
My both Hindu inlaws accepted Christ (my father-in-law at his death bed) in their old age. It was a 5 year struggle though, I saw the spiritual battle for their souls.
Now I live to teach my kids ALL things CATHOLIC. I even initially questioned Catholicism (as a general rule go to the SOURCE of everything as the saying goes the devil is in the detail) why not be one of the 45K Protestant Denominations.
Lastly there are INITIAL Benefits no doubt doing Yoga, Reiki, Feng Shui etc but then .......
The real Hero of Islam(Isa Ibn Mariyam) and Hinduism( Purusha Prajapathy in Rig Vedas) is none other than Jesus Christ.
Live in a state of sanctifying grace and live your vocation to the fullest under the umbrella of the Catholic Church.and be blessed now and in eternity.
Peace of Christ
@@loveisaih2020 Thank you again, Julian for the time you took to share with me your experiences. It means a lot.
I even recently posted a video based on what you mentioned about Jesus mentioned in Rig Vedas: ruclips.net/video/ZU1vqu4XyeY/видео.html
I’m glad that you sought God even though you had to practice other religious beliefs. I can relate your life experience to my own. I was quite tangential towards Islam after looking at their strict practices but later ignored it via the teachings of one of the Muslim priests who had converted to Catholicism.
I clearly understood from your experience that if we seek God with all our hearts, we’ll find him anyway at some point in our life.
By the way, I used to recite a small prayer to Saint Michael at times of temptations.
Michael, Michael of the Morning!
Fresh chord of the Heaven adorning;
Keep me safe today;
And in time of temptation,
Drive the devil away!
Amen.
Also, I just recited the prayer for souls in purgatory (St. Gertrude’s prayer) for your in-laws.
Thank you so much for all your kind words!! 🤍
Hey Alex! Please make videos or write articles or books! I was left wanting more... This was fascinating.
23;53 “yoga talks a lot about improving your feeling tone.” I’ve been a serious student of yoga for 9 years and I’ve never heard this once - ever, in any book, from any teacher….. yoga means “union with God.” While “religion” is Latin meaning re (again) and ligare (connect) - where we get the word ligament. So religion is to “bind back” to our source. Yoga is to “nurture reunion with the Godhead.” To the shallow understanding yoga appears a poly theistic cult opposite Catholicism. To the experienced and educated mind it is a universal oneness. The ancient Raja yoga (or royal path) acknowledges Christ as the only begotten son of God and affirms the tenants of traditional Catholicism far more than the lost Vatican II context. I would caution partial or shallow understanding as a platform from which to ignorantly denounce the worlds oldest and most influential religion (5,000 years old).
I have never liked yoga classes so I've had a 30 year solo stretching practice in my living room that includes some classic yoga poses but also just stretches I've made up myself. I have returned to the Catholic Church, and now I do my stretching while either listening to Gregorian chant or podcasts like this. I'm going to ask my priest what his thoughts are on that.
Hey Matt, thanks for the video. Just a quick point. Fr Richard Rohr is well and truly a false and untrustworthy teacher. He teaches perennialism and monism and distorts Catholic dogmas, like the atonement and the trinity, and misinterprets scripture to make it justify his views. Here’s some articles that make more thorough critiques:
(just paste these titles into the url bar)
“Can I Trust Fr. Richard Rohr?” - Part I by Dan Burke
“A Primer on Richard Rohr” by Tom Nash
“Is Richard Rohr a heretic?” By Ian Paul
“The Fr. Richard Rohr Phenomenon” by Bryce Sibley
“Why I Don’t Flow with Richard Rohr” by Fred Sanders
“Richard Rohr - Is His Teaching Biblical?”By Jane Kramer