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 inc
