Is Yoga Spiritual or Religious?
- Michelle Rae Sobi
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
That is for the student to decide.
🕊️ Spirituality vs. Religion in Yoga
Creating Inclusive, Heart-Centered Spaces**
Yoga teachers are often told, “I can’t participate because of my religion.” As guides, our role is to offer an environment where every student feels safe, respected, and welcome — regardless of belief system.
At Edge Yoga School, we reassure students that yoga is a practice of connecting with the higher self, whatever that means for each individual. It is always personal. It is always between the student and their mat.
🙏 How Do We Leave Religion Out of Yoga?
While yoga’s historical roots lie in the Vedas — foundational texts within Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism — modern yoga can be completely secular when taught intentionally.
Here are ways to keep your classes inclusive:
Use western terminology.“Downward Dog” instead of “Adho Mukha Svanasana.”
Choose neutral music.Instrumental tracks instead of chants or devotional pieces.
Offer affirmations instead of mantras.Phrases like “I am grounded,” “I am safe,” or “I am present.”
Creating a class free from religious association can be comforting for students whose traditions may discourage spiritual crossover.
✨ When Should We Incorporate Spirituality?
Yoga is a science, a philosophy, and a spiritual inquiry — but every student arrives with their own worldview.
You can weave spirituality gently by offering:
A grounding breath at the start of class
A short meditation to close
Gentle themes such as gratitude, compassion, or self-study
These elements help newer students plant roots, while offering seasoned yogis a chance to deepen.
If you explicitly advertise a class as spiritual, feel free to explore deeper concepts like the Yamas & Niyamas, chakras, energy, or intention-based sequences.
🕍 When Is It Okay to Include Religion?
Yoga can complement and enrich a student’s pre-existing faith.Encourage practitioners to bring their own higher power — however they define it — to the mat.
If referencing religion:
Highlight universal themes across faiths.
Ahimsa (non-violence)
“Love your neighbor as yourself” — Christianity
Mitzvot — Judaism
Drawing parallels allows students to make their own meaningful connections without feeling pressured or excluded.
🌟 How Religion and Spirituality Differ
Here are the Oxford definitions teachers often find helpful:
Religion
A structured system of beliefs, worship, and rituals centered around a divine being or beings.
Spirituality
A personal concern with the human spirit or soul, rather than the material world.
Key Differences
Individual vs. Group Spirituality is personal; religion is organized.
Private vs. Public Spirituality evolves internally; religions share doctrine publicly.
Fluid vs. Fixed Spirituality grows with life experience; religions are grounded in scripture and tradition.
🌿 Educational Reference
Yoga Journal offers helpful, accessible articles on inclusive teaching, secular sequencing, and modern yoga ethics. Their resources support yoga educators in maintaining clarity, neutrality, and cultural respect.
💬 Invitation
Yoga is for everyone. As educators, our task is to honor the roots of yoga while creating a space where each student feels safe to explore their practice in their own way.
Students enrolled in our program may send a Slack DM to Michelle, or those interested in enrolling are invited to send a CHAT to begin a conversation.