Practicing Yoga

Can a Non-Hindu practice Yoga?

Yoga is a broad system, emphasizing meditation for the purpose of Self-realization, but the tendency in the West is to reduce Yoga to its physical dimension. Certainly anyone can practice the outer or physical aspect of Yoga regardless of one’s religious orientation. Even an atheist can do so. However, an atheist is unlikely to be able to practice Bhakti Yoga or the path of Devotion, which depends upon love of God, and is one of the most important yogic paths. One who does not accept karma, rebirth and liberation cannot practice deeper aspects of Yoga that are based upon a recognition of this process. It also depends upon the Yoga that one is following. Yoga paths strongly rooted in Vedic ideas require an appreciation of their background to really apply. Jnana Yoga or the Yoga of Knowledge rests upon a background of Vedanta, for example.

The problem is that certain religions, like Christianity and Islam, are still promoting aggressive missionary efforts against Hindus that commonly include denigrating such Hindu-based traditions as Yoga and Vedanta as well as their great teachers. Those following such religions who are attracted to Hindu-based teachings should recognize this sad fact and make some effort to change it if they can.

Those following other Dharmic religions like Buddhism and Jainism, will find benefit in connecting with Hindu or Sanatana Dharma, through their views and practices may have their variations. A unity of Dharmic traditions, which does not imply attempting to make them all the same, can be of great help to all of them as they are under similar challenges in the modern world.

Above all, if one finds value in Hindu-based teachings one should look into the tradition behind them and find out what it really is. If one finds benefit from this tradition one should also support it against attempts to undermine or misrepresent it.