17/06/2026
🧘♀️ "Is yoga a religion?"
I was asked this question recently, and it made me realise that perhaps others have wondered the same thing—particularly if they've never attended one of my classes.
The answer isn't quite as simple as "yes" or "no."
Yoga has its origins in the ancient philosophies and spiritual traditions of India, with a history spanning thousands of years. Like many ancient practices, it has evolved over time and is now taught in many different ways throughout the world.
At Yoga2Fitness, my classes focus on the health and wellbeing aspects of yoga.
We explore movement (Asana), breathing (Pranayama), relaxation and, at times, gentle meditation. My goal is to help people improve their flexibility, strength, balance, posture, breathing, mobility and overall wellbeing.
Occasionally I might share a little of yoga's history or philosophy, simply because understanding the background can enrich the experience. But there is never any expectation that students adopt a particular belief system or philosophy. Those who are interested in learning more about yoga's history and philosophy are welcome to explore it further in their own time through books or personal study.
People from many different backgrounds and faiths attend my classes, along with people who don't follow any religion at all.
Everyone is welcome, and everyone is free to participate in a way that aligns with their own beliefs and values.
Another question I was asked was whether I teach in Sanskrit.
The answer is no. I teach almost entirely in plain English. Occasionally I might mention the traditional Sanskrit name of a pose, just as a doctor might use a Latin medical term, but my priority is making everyone feel comfortable and able to follow along with ease.
Yoga is often described as having Eight Limbs—a complete framework that includes ethical living, physical movement, breathing, concentration and meditation. In my classes, our focus is on the aspects that support health and wellbeing: movement, breathing, relaxation and mindfulness.
You may occasionally hear me talk about gratitude, kindness, mindfulness, or taking a few moments to simply breathe and slow down. These are universal values that can be appreciated by anyone, regardless of their beliefs. My intention is simply to encourage wellbeing, self-care and a little more peace in our busy lives.
For me, yoga isn't about asking people to change what they believe.
It's about helping people move with greater ease, breathe more deeply, reduce stress, improve strength and balance, and leave class feeling just a little healthier and happier than when they arrived.
Most of my students come for exactly those reasons. They want to stay active, manage aches and pains, improve their balance, support healthy ageing, enjoy an hour of relaxation and be part of a welcoming community.
After nearly 20 years of teaching, I've had the privilege of working with thousands of people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds. I've seen yoga help people recover from injury, improve balance and mobility, manage stress, build confidence, and simply enjoy moving their bodies again. That's why I continue to teach—it is one of the most rewarding parts of my life.
If you've ever been curious about yoga but weren't quite sure what to expect, I'd love to welcome you to a class. You might just discover that yoga is less about touching your toes and more about improving your health, finding a little calm, and enjoying the company of a wonderful community. ❤️🙏
