Yoga has been a popular form of exercise in the Western world for more than a century, but its origins in Eastern religious practices have made it a subject of debate among Christians.
Some people do it to stay in shape. Others see it as an act of Hindu worship. The question at hand is whether or not yoga is compatible with Christianity.
Some Christians believe that yoga is an inherently non-Christian, even demonic practice that all followers of Christ should avoid.
They believe that each of the yoga poses, known as “asanas,” corresponds to one of the 330 million Hindu gods and putting your body in such positions is an act of idol worship.
Caru Das Adhikary, temple priest at the Krishna temple in Spanish fork, is a member of the Hare Krishna branch of Hinduism. Krishnas are monotheistic, worshiping only one god: Krishna. In Adhikary’s words, Krishna is the same god as the one depicted in the Old Testament.
The priest provides a different perspective on yoga.
“Yoga is the derivative of the English word ‘yoke,’” Adhikary said. “So, it means ‘yoking to the Supreme.’”
Adhikary explained that the physical yoga you practice in a yoga studio is not the same thing as the spiritual practice of yoga.
“It can lead to yoga. It can, it can be a way of achieving fitness so then you can serve the Lord with stamina and endurance,” Adhikary said. “When you go to the Church and you sing hymns and take the sacrament — that’s yoga.”
BYU Student Wellness holds yoga classes for students on campus multiple times a week. Ally Blackhurst is the yoga instructor for two of these classes and she feels like yoga does strengthen her relationship with God.
“I think you can be Christian and still practice yoga. It’s one of my favorite ways to meditate and to pray and to feel closer to God.”
Students can participate in these on campus yoga classes Mondays through Wednesdays in the Stephen L. Richards Building.