<p>A Catholic priest here is busy popularizing yoga, saying it is beyond religion and "truly universal".<br /><br /></p>.<p>Father John Ferreira's latest book, "Health, Wealth and Happiness Through Yoga", was Thursday released by the Archbishop of Agra Diocese, Albert D'Souza, at St Peter's College.<br /><br />"The book is a primer, aimed at popularising the intricate knowledge of the esoteric science of yoga, which is beyond religion and truly universal," Fr Ferreira told IANS. <br /><br />"Modern society with its cup full of stresses, and a package of mental and physical ailments, stands in dire need for India's yogic knowledge," he said.Archbishop D'Souza agreed.<br /><br />"Yoga integrated into the school curriculum will provide a holistic approach to education as a science that not only prepares a student for life but provides the art of living well," he said. <br /><br />"Joyful living, drawn from the depths of one's own rhythm of life, according to the goal set by the Creator, is the foundation of health, wealth and happiness," he added.<br /><br />In a message read out at the event, Oswald Cardinal Gracias, the Archbishop of Mumbai and president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of India, said: "Through the prescribed postures and exercises one improves one's all round sense of well being and is able to enter into oneself so as to commune better with god."<br /><br />Ferreira, the author, feels yoga has no religion. He himself has been a follower of many yoga gurus and has extensive research to produce the book.<br /><br />The book includes views of Christian priests who have approved his yoga experiments.<br /><br />"This is significant since yoga is still regarded by many as basically a Hindu system," he said.</p>
<p>A Catholic priest here is busy popularizing yoga, saying it is beyond religion and "truly universal".<br /><br /></p>.<p>Father John Ferreira's latest book, "Health, Wealth and Happiness Through Yoga", was Thursday released by the Archbishop of Agra Diocese, Albert D'Souza, at St Peter's College.<br /><br />"The book is a primer, aimed at popularising the intricate knowledge of the esoteric science of yoga, which is beyond religion and truly universal," Fr Ferreira told IANS. <br /><br />"Modern society with its cup full of stresses, and a package of mental and physical ailments, stands in dire need for India's yogic knowledge," he said.Archbishop D'Souza agreed.<br /><br />"Yoga integrated into the school curriculum will provide a holistic approach to education as a science that not only prepares a student for life but provides the art of living well," he said. <br /><br />"Joyful living, drawn from the depths of one's own rhythm of life, according to the goal set by the Creator, is the foundation of health, wealth and happiness," he added.<br /><br />In a message read out at the event, Oswald Cardinal Gracias, the Archbishop of Mumbai and president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of India, said: "Through the prescribed postures and exercises one improves one's all round sense of well being and is able to enter into oneself so as to commune better with god."<br /><br />Ferreira, the author, feels yoga has no religion. He himself has been a follower of many yoga gurus and has extensive research to produce the book.<br /><br />The book includes views of Christian priests who have approved his yoga experiments.<br /><br />"This is significant since yoga is still regarded by many as basically a Hindu system," he said.</p>