But isn't the goal of the Christian to SEEK UNION with God?  To do so with an "uncluttered" mind and heart is PURITY.  So what's the problem with Yoga if it aids people in this?


It's not like Hindu monks are going to be knocking on students' doors in the dorm or at home, trying to evangelize them to Hinduism.  Benedictine College officials and Fr. John Riley ought to try Yoga themselves and read what Yoga can do----BEFORE condemning it.  After all, how successful has the Archdiocese of Kansas City been as far as providing Catholics with the means of achieving [or at least growing] in practices that further Union with God, by teaching how to do centering  prayer, or teaching any form of meditation to Catholics?  


Hinduism predates Christianity by centuries.  Many of the ascetical practices of some of the Christian saints---bear close resemblance to practices from Hinduism.  Learning how to contemplate is easier if one knows proper breathing and centering prayer practices.