Is yoga a religion?

About This Class

In this brief Q&A-style lecture, Bryan Kest directly tackles a misconception that keeps some people away from yoga: the belief that it is a religion. He explains that while yoga and Hinduism share cultural roots and have influenced each other, they are fundamentally different — Hinduism is a religion defined by dogma and rules, whereas yoga is entirely non-dogmatic and rule-free. Kest emphasizes yoga's deeply personal, "one size does not fit all" nature, comparing it to choosing what you want from a buffet. He acknowledges that yoga can be described as spiritual, but only in the sense that it is personally uplifting — enhancing the practitioner physically, emotionally, and mentally. He closes by reassuring listeners that yoga is compatible with any religion or belief system, framing it simply as a practice to help you feel good.