The comunication terms Yoga as “a spiritual, physical discipline, deeply rooted in the religious beliefs and practices of the Hindus”
The Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) has once again sent out a letter asking Naga Christian residents to refrain from practising yoga.
The communication, also sent out to the state Cabinet, state officials and members of the NBCC, among others, on August 17, says that Naga Christians should avoid indulging in the practice as it is "a spiritual and physical discipline deeply rooted in the religious beliefs and practices of the Hindus" and that it is "viewed suspiciously by the Church".
The communication further read that the practice was not compatible with the Church, and that it requests "institutions, both within and outside of Nagaland, to exempt Naga students from the practice of yoga so as not to hurt the religious sentiments of the Christian community as well as to uphold the religious freedom envisaged in the Constitution."
The NBCC has earlier opposed the holding of Yoga Day in Nagaland in 2015, especially since it fell on Sunday, a day when everyone heads to Church. As per the 2011 Census, over 87.93 per cent of the population in Nagaland are Christians, with approximately 70 percent of them being Baptists. The NBCC is a key religious body in the state.
The diktat has landed Orentsani Suzen Kikon in a bit of the fix. The 25-year-old yoga teacher had in March this opened a yoga studio in Dimapur — the Orentsani Fitness Institute. She says that several local and religious leaders have questioned her about her motives."I have been asked if I really am Christian, and all I can say is that I do not need to prove that to anyone. After I am done taking yoga classes for over 12 hours a day for five days a week, I hold free classes for those who cannot afford it on Monday and Saturday," says Orentsani, who has learnt yoga from the Yoga Institute in Mumbai, from the Shivananda Ashram in Trivandrum, and from Bharat Thakur's Artistic Yoga Centre in Bangalore. "Yoga is how you see it, and for me, it means fitness."
Orentsani says that she had an offer to teach yoga in Europe but chose to come to Nagaland. "I do not want my state's talent to remain here. When the young people in Nagaland fete cosplays and anime cartoons, are they not celebrating Korean and Japanese cultures. Why should yoga been seen differently then," she said.
WHAT IT SAYS
- The comunication terms Yoga as “a spiritual, physical discipline, deeply rooted in the religious beliefs and practices of the Hindus”
- The letter was also sent to the state govt and officials
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 "Yoga")
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