Yoga and Spirituality – Good or Bad? What’s the Connection?
Is Yoga and Spirituality Something I Should Explore?
I’m going to share my walk, and historic thoughts as well as general ideas on how spirituality can be a part of your yoga practice. However, please know yoga is a journey to find a deep connection with yourself so you can connect with or leave spirituality in your practice. I am sharing ideas on it, not pushing you one way or another. Find and embrace your own personal yoga path, my friends.
I also know many may be turned off by the idea of exploring spirituality in their yoga practice. Early on I had no idea yoga even had a spiritual side. I certainly wasn’t seeking this when I first started exploring yoga for myself. Before you rule out exploring the spiritual side of yoga let’s have a quick discussion about it and where it came from or played out in yoga’s history.
Yoga and spirituality are deeply intertwined practices that have been around for centuries and are rooted in ancient traditions. While yoga in the US is often associated mostly with physical postures (asanas) and sometimes breathing exercises (pranayama), some may overlook that it also has a historical spiritual discipline aimed at integrating mind, body, and spirit. How could adding it add balance to our lives?
Spirituality is a broader concept that encompasses a sense of connection to something greater than oneself, often involving beliefs about the meaning of life, the universe, and one’s purpose within it. For me, the Eight Limbs is the spiritual side of yoga and offers ideas on ethical living which seems like a nice addition to the exercise portion of yoga. See the graphic to explore what the 8 Limbs are.
As someone brought up on Christianity I wasn’t looking for another “religion”. In my 40’s my life fell apart and I sank into depression for 2 years. In trying to heal or find happiness I found the Tao te Ching which really resonated with me.
A few years later I found Buddhism because it offered me ways to PRACTICE self-care tied to mindfulness and meditation. It also taught me how to better handle suffering. A decade later I started exploring yoga as another tool to provide self-care but initially as a way to get active and exercise. In deeper exploration, I found the eight limbs and the connection to Hinduism which aligned with my Buddhist mindfulness practices.
In the context of yoga, spirituality goes beyond the physical practice to encompass mindfulness, self-awareness, and inner exploration. Many practitioners find that yoga helps them connect with their deeper selves, cultivate inner peace, and develop a greater sense of spiritual awareness.
Moreover, yoga philosophy incorporates spiritual principles such as non-violence (ahimsa), truthfulness (satya), and self-discipline (tapas), which guide practitioners toward a more ethical and compassionate way of living.
Ultimately, the combination of yoga and spirituality offers a holistic approach to personal growth and self-discovery, helping individuals lead more fulfilling lives both on and off the mat.
As I said earlier… my background was/is Christianity, the thing I love about Buddhism is that it was more of self-care than a religion (to me). This is how the eight limbs also feel to me. If you already subscribe to a religion currently, will exploring the spiritual side of yoga conflict with your current religious practice? What if you are NOT religious at all, does this feel awkward or harmful?
Every person is different and I’d recommend you trust your gut and intuition. What I can tell you though is in my walk, the spiritual side of yoga really connects with me because it offers more than exercise. For me, it helps me practice living my best life.
I think some of the ideas are helping me live my purpose, love myself better, love others better, find empathy and compassion as well as a feeling of connectedness to the universe and all things. This is just connecting deeper with myself. It is about ethical living beyond religion per se (at least in my opinion). Again, this is my personal opinion but you must find your own path.
Let’s dig a little deeper…
Historically Why Has Spirituality Been So Important in Yoga?
Spirituality is considered important in yoga because it forms the foundation of the practice’s deeper aspects. As I said… in the US, modern yoga often begins with physical postures (asanas) and is thought of mostly as an exercise, however, yoga’s historic ultimate goal is to facilitate spiritual growth and self-realization.
Here are a few reasons why spirituality is intertwined with yoga:
- Historical Context
Yoga originated in ancient India, where it was deeply rooted in spiritual traditions like Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. These spiritual traditions emphasize the connection between mind, body, and spirit, which is fundamental to the historic yoga practice. - Integration of Mind, Body, and Spirit
Yoga aims to unify the practitioner’s mind, body, and spirit. By incorporating spiritual elements such as meditation, mindfulness, and self-reflection, yoga helps individuals connect with their inner selves and cultivate a deeper understanding of their existence. Who doesn’t want that? - Transformation and Self-Discovery
Spiritual exploration in yoga goes beyond physical fitness and relaxation. It involves introspection, self-inquiry, and personal growth. Through practices like meditation and self-awareness, individuals can uncover their true nature, dissolve ego boundaries, and experience profound transformation. You can see why yoga became so popular and why it makes us feel so good in our practice. - Ethical and Moral Guidelines
Many forms of yoga, such as classical Ashtanga yoga, emphasize moral and ethical principles known as the Yamas and Niyamas. These guidelines, which I mentioned earlier, include concepts like non-violence (ahimsa), truthfulness (satya), and self-discipline (tapas), providing a framework for spiritual development and ethical living. - Connection with the Divine
For some practitioners, yoga serves as a means of connecting with a higher power or divine consciousness. Whether through devotion (bhakti yoga), knowledge (jnana yoga), or selfless service (karma yoga), yoga offers various paths for individuals to deepen their spiritual connection and experience a sense of oneness with the universe (or the God of your walk).
Overall, spirituality adds depth and meaning to the practice of yoga, guiding practitioners on a journey of self-discovery, inner peace, and spiritual fulfillment.
Share your thoughts on your yoga practice.
- Do you study and practice the Eight Limbs of yoga?
- Are you interested in exploring them now?
- Do you think you can enjoy and practice the Eight Limbs within your own religion or spiritual practice?
- If you aren’t religious how do you feel about yoga and spirituality?
- Can you see how spirituality and religion are different?
Post your thoughts in the comment section below. I’d love to hear your thoughts.
I am a yoga fan and practitioner, and studying to get a yoga teacher certificate. I am building the Yoga Directory to try to build a supportive and friendly online community as well as a way to find and try more yoga studios and styles of yoga locally. I want to help others do the same and grow their yoga practice.
I come from a mindfulness background and seem to resonate mostly with a spiritual-based yoga practice that may hail from roots in India.
I run a business called Hellagood Life which offers online education, community, and coaching in many areas for living one's best life. I find Yoga is a great addition to the other trainings I offer.
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