Catholic Women Now

Breaking Free from Yoga: A Catholic's Journey with Author Linda Carl – 07/09/2026

Episode Summary

Author Linda Carl joins Chris Magruder on Catholic Women Now to expose the spiritual dangers hidden within yoga — dangers she experienced firsthand after nearly two decades of practice and teaching. Drawing from her book Yoga Unveiled, Linda unpacks the Hindu philosophical roots of yoga, its incompatibility with Catholic faith, and her own encounter with the occult through Reiki. She also offers practical, faith-filled paths to healing for those looking to leave yoga behind.

Episode Notes

After nearly two decades as a certified yoga instructor — including as an Ashtanga teacher — Linda Carl had a conversion moment that changed everything. When she opened Scripture to 1 Corinthians 10, the call was clear: leave yoga entirely. What followed was years of untangling herself from a spiritual web she hadn't fully recognized while she was in it.

What Linda Covers in This Episode:

• Why yoga's physical benefits are the entry point — and why that's precisely how its spiritual dangers go unnoticed
• The Hindu philosophical foundations of popular yoga styles, including Ashtanga, and what even certified teachers are never told
• Her personal encounter with the demonic during a Reiki session — in a gym
• Why the "I just pray to Jesus during yoga" objection doesn't hold up spiritually
• The Church's position on Reiki and why the USCCB has warned against it

Catholic Alternatives to Yoga:

• Pietra Fitness (Pietro = "the rock") — stretching combined with Catholic prayer; offered locally in Des Moines at Fitness by Design
• SoulCore — movement rooted in the Rosary and Catholic devotion
• Pilates and other non-spiritually-rooted exercise options
• Prays Moves — a Christian stretching/flow alternative

How to Heal After Yoga:
Linda emphasizes the treasure of the sacraments — frequent Confession (one major exorcist has said one confession equals one hundred exorcisms) and daily reception of the Eucharist. She also recommends prayers of deliverance after Confession, the Rosary, and intercession through saints including St. Benedict, St. Padre Pio, and St. Joseph, Terror of Demons.

Find Linda Carl's book Yoga Unveiled:
Available at Barnes & Noble, Sophia Institute Press, Divine Treasures in Des Moines, and other online retailers.

Learn more at IowaCatholicRadio.com

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