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Is yoga a religion? Yoga's Hindu roots have led many to assume that it is a religion. However, you do not need to convert to Hinduism in order to practice yoga, and it goes without saying that people from different religious inclinations have incorporated yoga into their faith. Yoga is great for ones spiritual, physical and mental well being, and as such it cannot be regarded to as a religion. However, we cannot deny that this practice often leads to a spiritual connection and many will actually say that yoga has helped them develop a greater understanding of themselves and even strengthened their religious beliefs. Spirituality and Religion: Is there A Difference? Due to the fact that yoga has been linked to spiritualism, the question that then arises is what really is the difference between spiritualism and religion? Most of the time you will find that spiritualism is fuelled by religion. However, there is a difference and spiritualism can be described as a deep sense of connection with a greater being. This is a non-physical state of mind or bond. On the other hand, religion is an organized set of rules that define your faith. Religion comprises of worshiping God or gods and there are clearly defined sets of beliefs and rules to follow. Though the two are interlinked, they mean totally different things and yoga can help you grow spiritually in your religion. It is not a faith or form of worship, but it does bring a deeper sense of awareness and thus cultivates spirituality on a personal level which is then dependant on your faith or religion. Yoga Accommodates Different Religions Yogis as we mentioned come to practice yoga with different faiths. The connection of yoga and spiritualism is brought about by the art of meditation. The traditional principals of yoga encourage healthy living and peaceful co-existence, and again this is something that is encouraged by most, if not all religions. Yogis have different beliefs, and while some choose to practice staunch vegetarianism, others have no problem eating meat because their faith allows them to. Some also consider the use of yoga for fitness or stress relief as a service to God by taking care of their well being. Others practice yoga with no religious purpose in mind but as a basic means to better health and fitness. Over time, many find that they get to blend the practice with their religion. Practicing Yoga and Religion: The Way Forward There have been many reports saying that yoga is not in line with Christian principals and other religions as well. This has led many to choose to stay away from the practice in order to avoid a religions conflict. Like we mentioned, yoga is not a set of rules or a form of worship and therefore has nothing to do with your faith. This is more of a personal choice and you can either choose to separate the two or blend them. Yoga can be practiced by anyone, as it primarily helps to develop a deeper sense of self-awareness. For more information about Yoga and Religion, please visit http://www.yogafy.com.
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