Yoga is my religion, or is it?!

9/19/2016

"The body is my temple, asanas are my prayers" - B.K.S. Iyengar
Many of you are familiar with this quote. Have you ever actually thought about it? Do you say it because others do? Do you just like the sound of it? If I'm being honest, it does have a nice ring to it. Keeping it honest, I cant say that I totally agree.

I have been asked many times how I could be a Christian and "do" yoga. It is actually something I struggled with a lot when I first started my practice, years ago. Something that may help is to know that yoga is not a religion. Sure you will find many connections to the Buddhist faith. However, yoga itself is not a religion. Yoga is a way of life, it is HOW you live. With that in mind, it has been easy to separate my religious beliefs from my practice. The two actually make a great pair. They both encompass so many lessons of love, giving, understanding, and just all around being a better human!

These are very surface thoughts. We could go on and on , deeper and deeper with this topic. In fact, if you want to know more or ask questions, please do so! Feel free to email me or leave comments right here.

3 Comments

Jeanne

9/19/2016 09:49:09 pm

I like this topic! I've been asked the same question. I practice yoga everyday and I always have my cross necklace on when I'm practicing. I believe that yoga can be a spiritual practice but not a religious one, if that makes sense? Every time I practice it allows me to connect to my faith a little more or gives me another opportunity to honor God, thank Him & praise him for everything in my life as well as an opportunity to pray, especially in savasana. Thanks for sharing! I love your pictures and posts!

9/19/2016 11:42:43 pm

Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts Jeanne! I appreciate the kind words. Feel free to email me anytime if you want to further the discussion.

Kylie

9/20/2016 01:37:47 am

I've struggled with the Christian community in my town for a long time especially more so as I get further along in my yoga/spiritual journey. Maybe it's not the Christianity but simply the people. Like you this thought is only the tip of the iceberg on this topic. Thank you for inspiring new thoughts xxx

Yoga is my religion, or is it?!

Leave a Reply.

Brendon Payne