Can yoga be Christian?
The Documentary Podcast
BBC
4.3 • 2.7K Ratings
🗓️ 20 March 2026
⏱️ 27 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Yoga is an ancient practice with its roots in Hinduism. It originated over 5,000 years ago in northern India, but for many, has now evolved from a spiritual path into the wellness practice known globally. In the West, millions now do yoga as a form of exercise and wellbeing. It is an industry thought to be worth tens of billions of dollars. But as it has boomed, yoga has been interpreted in new and sometimes controversial ways. What has been dubbed 'Christian yoga' has gained loyal supporters, who say it helps them reconnect body and soul. But not everyone agrees. Some within the Hindu faith argue that Christian yoga risks stripping an ancient practice of its religious roots. Then, there are Christians who say the practice is “not of Jesus”. Megan Lawton meets teachers of Christian yoga and those who don't believe yoga and Christianity can ever be compatible. This episode of The Documentary, comes to you from Heart and Soul, exploring personal approaches to spirituality from around the world.
Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | BBC Sounds, Music, Radio, podcasts. |
| 0:06.5 | It's taking a moment to maybe change the direction of your circles and really go slow. |
| 0:13.0 | I'm in a large, brightly lit room alongside a dozen women, stretched out in unison on mats across the floor. |
| 0:21.5 | Reminding yourself right now that there is absolutely no rush anymore. |
| 0:26.6 | You're not running late for anything. |
| 0:28.7 | There is nowhere else that you need to be. |
| 0:31.3 | If you do yoga regularly, this might be a familiar image, |
| 0:35.5 | the gentle ambient music in the background, the positions and cues. |
| 0:41.0 | So, big breath in for three. |
| 0:45.6 | Long, slow, exhale for six. |
| 0:50.1 | You might know that the movements originate from ancient India and that the practice of yoga has its roots in the Hindu faith. |
| 0:58.5 | Big breath in for three. |
| 1:00.4 | But not this class. |
| 1:02.8 | As Christians, we know and believe that our breath is more than air and oxygen. |
| 1:08.3 | From the top of her terracotta yoga mat, Annette Langebree is taking her class through an hour of Christian yoga. |
| 1:16.8 | What special mountain, what holy place, what church, what sanctuary. |
| 1:23.4 | If God is not right here where you are, where else can you... |
| 1:28.1 | The positions are the same, so is the breathing. |
| 1:31.5 | But what's different is that this class leans on Christian references. |
| 1:38.4 | This is the documentary from the BBC World Service with me, Megan Lawton. |
| 1:43.5 | And on this episode of Heart and Soul, |
| 1:46.1 | which explores approaches to spirituality from around the world, I'm asking, can yoga ever be |
... |
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