A Bristol local Church has shut down a yoga studio for being too "spiritual" with non Christian roots.
The yoga teacher Naomi Hayama has allegedly been barred from entering the St Michael and All Angels Church in Bishopston, Bristol for creating "alternative spirituality".
The Times of India reported that Hayama has tried to explain to the church that yoga has no religious connotation but has failed to impress upon them. A signature campaign that has over 500 local supporters for Hayama too has failed to impress the church.
Naomi till now has been holding twice-weekly classes of yoga for the last nine years to over 600 students. She has been practicing yoga for over 20 years. In 2003, she took a British Wheel of Yoga foundation course and has been teaching in Bristol since 2004.
She reportedly said "They are trying to say it is a spiritual practice but my classes are not. I respect people who are religious but I am not. That's what attracted me to yoga - you don't have to be religious to teach it. My students are puzzled and outraged as well. My class is a physical exercise which is about relaxation and breathing and it's a healthy thing to do".
Rev Stevenson of the Church meanwhile has reportedly said that half the Britain's churches would prohibit yoga. He explained "We understand yoga is practiced as a physical exercise and discipline but it's definitely a spiritual act whose roots are not Christ centered. We are confident we have acted legally and fairly".
