Is Yoga a Religion? A Gentle Exploration of an Important Question

Image by Steph Meade - Lumi

If you have been following along in this series, you will know that yoga therapy isn’t a quick fix or a surface-level solution. It is a return to breath, to presence, to what it means to be fully human. But today, I want to speak to something that may have quietly been sitting with you in the background: the question of whether Yoga is a religion.

It is a fair question and one that I have been asked often. A question that deserves to be met with honesty, openness, and respect.

Walk into many modern yoga spaces and you might find statues of Hindu deities, Sanskrit mantras playing softly, or mudras with spiritual symbolism. For those coming from different religious traditions, particularly Christian or Muslim faiths, this can feel unfamiliar, even uncomfortable. And if it has made you pause, I want you to know that this is valid.

But here is what I have come to understand, both as a yoga therapist and as someone who has walked my own journey through these questions.

While Yoga has its roots in ancient Indian spiritual traditions, the heart of yoga is not about worshipping deities or converting belief systems. At its core, yoga is a philosophy. One that speaks to how we relate to ourselves, to others, to the world around us. It teaches breath, movement, stillness, reflection, and conscious living. These are not exclusive to any one religion - they are threads that run through many.

Think about the way prayer beads are used in different traditions - the Catholic rosary, Islamic dhikr, or the Hindu mala. Or the way breath is used to settle the nervous system across cultures. These aren’t coincidences - they are reminders that the human need for regulation, peace, and spiritual grounding transcends language and belief systems.

As a Yoga therapist, I meet each person exactly where they are, not with assumptions, but with care and respect. If you are someone whose faith is important to you, our work together honors that. There is no expectation to chant in Sanskrit or engage with spiritual symbols that do not align with your beliefs. You can bring your own words, your own prayers, your own sacred silence into the space. And yes, they hold the same power.

Yoga therapy is a deeply respectful practice. Rooted in ancient wisdom, yes, but also supported by modern science. There is a growing body of research that shows its efficacy in managing anxiety, depression, chronic illness, trauma, and more. It's not a spiritual bypass. It's a holistic and evidence-based approach to healing.

If you are curious about Yoga therapy but unsure how it fits into your beliefs or background, I would love to hold space for that conversation, meeting you exactly where you are.

You can book a free consultation here: Yoga Therapy Session Enquiry | The Holding Space and see how this gentle, empowering approach could support your unique path to wellbeing.

I look forward to walking alongside you.

With Warmth and Gratitude

Surayya Hassan - The Holding Space