A UK morning tv show, GMTV,  reported today that 2 churches here in the United Kingdom refused a yoga teacher permission to conduct kids’ yoga classes in their halls.

The reason? One of the interviewed clerics, Reverend Tim Jones, explained that because yoga has it’s roots in Hinduism, it goes against the teachings of the bible and is therefore un-Christian and cannot be allowed to be practiced in a church hall. Firstly, whether yoga has it’s roots in Hinduism or not, the practice of it doesn’t propagate any religion whatsoever. It does however help the person practicing it to become more spiritual - something that in my opinion seems to be largely lacking in most religious practice today.

I was born a Hindu but respect every religion and form of spirituality that exists (funnily enough you’ll find this true of most Hindus as this forms part of the religion: respect for others beliefs) but it’s guys like this cleric who spread fear and make it difficult for everyone to get along. He may want to join us in the 21st century and use his religion to build bridges rather than destroy them.