Is Yoga A Religion?

Yoga and religion are two sides of the same coin.



But there is no consensus over accepting Yoga as part of religion. According to individual experience, people define the relationship between Yoga and religion. Yoga is not just flexing muscles or breathing rhythmically, it is a part of our lives.



Yoga teaches how to live our lives within the spectrum of religion. It does not teach heresy but hones the finer aspects of religion which are often missed by human beings. We can learn more about spiritualism and incorporate this knowledge into our religious practices.

Often the question is Yoga a religion circulates in our minds and gives much food for thoughts. Although spirituality and religion are not the same aspects of living but both of them teach us about life and beyond. Yoga is not spruced with any formal procedures or ascetic rituals.



Yoga can be practiced with the help of Yoga or without it and there are numerous teachings of Yoga that clash with religion for example, food habits, medication and social freedom.  Yoga teaches to bring together various aspects of human beings and understand our wholeness of body, mind and spirit. Yoga teaches us to be in sync with our senses whereas religion tells us to be closer to God. Although religion and yoga stress the importance of natural forces and the powers that rule us, the methods to respect these are taught differently.

Such virtues as lovingness, compassion, goodwill and purity of soul are a part of Yoga as well as religion but this may not make yoga a religion. But then again, if and individual finds satisfaction of the soul and peace through yoga, then they may make it their religion. This in no way indicates that yoga is interfering with religion.



The ultimate choice rests with the individual and one should not question others’ faith.