I like this part:

"Yoga has its roots in Hinduism, and attempts to use exercises and relaxation techniques to put a person into a calm frame of mind - in touch with some kind of impersonal spiritual reality."

and:

“Yoga may appear harmless or even beneficial, but it is encouraging people to think that there is a way to wholeness of body and mind through human techniques - whereas the only true way to wholeness is by faith in God through Jesus Christ.”

Wouldn't want people to have a calm frame of mind or to embrace their own spirituality and human ability, right? No, let's put the fear of god in them, keep them scared and going to church.

And of course Christianity never "borrowed" anything from other religions when it was convenient, right? It's just a coincidence that most of the Christmas and Easter symbols existed in pagan religions long before Christianity came around...

Ilya Blokh, Birmingham, AL, USA

I applaud the stance that the two churches made in regard to this situation. There are scores and scores of evidence proving that yoga--in any form--is a spiritual activity that gives recognition to gods/spiritual beings that are false. They are not acceptable to the God of the Bible.

If the two churches believe that the Bible is their ultimate authority because it is God's words to mankind, and if they trust in God's saving power as is written in the Bible (especially in the book of John), and if they have recognized that God is the only one Who may be worshipped, then they have done exactly what they should have.

Rhnea, Silverdale,

Christianity and yoga is not about making popular choices to up the attendance. As a child I unquestionably believed in God and Jesus as they did some amazing things along with Father Christmas and the Tooth fairy. During my teenage years I got confused about about my beliefs and gave up. Later I attended yoga classes primarily to help my back, it was like a detox and my search for my faith was restored. I wanted to remain a Christian and am still ploughing through the bible but parts of me do not agree/believe with the church 's interpretation.
I am a yoga teacher and although it is a spiritual practise for me I feel it can be taught to any faith, most beginners do not reach or want to go beyond the physical superficial level.

It is a shame that this lady used the words yoga-inspired, the class could have gone ahead but the vicar needs to act upon his own inherent beliefs.

Mel, West Sussex,

The physical and breathing exercises associated with Yoga may not have 'religion' in it. But Yoga is not merely breathing exercises and postures.

Yoga also involves teachings like KUNDALINI, the energy that supposedly lies dormant in you like a coiled serpent at the base of the spine, which, when activated, could zoom through your 'chakras' and provide you with bliss and unity with a supposed 'Supreme Being'.

Moreover, the Hindu deity 'Shiva', believed to have three eyes and four arms and residing at the Himalayas with a serpent coiled around his neck, is considered to be the patron deity for Yoga. One can feel free to believe all this or reject it. But to say that Yoga is NOT connected to any religion is simply false.

Surely, a Christian vicar has genuine reasons to draw a line which he refuses to cross. But he could accept those physical and breathing exercises, label them whatever he wishes and reject the rest.

Santhosh, Bangalore,

May I say this to those who despise Christianity, the faith you hate inspires us to provide counselling for the bereaved, comfort for the sick, and hope to those in despair. Churches organise housing for the homeless, help for drug and drink addicts, fundraising for hundreds of worthy causes and provide activities for people of all ages.

No one will ever force you to come to church so why do you feel obliged to attack us?

Jon, Weston-super-Mare, Somerset

PLEASE don't tar all 'Vicars' with the same brush! As one myself, who attends a yoga class, I whole heartedly endorse its positive effects and urge my more conservative brothers and sisters to open their minds to the possibility that such benefits are, in themselves, a gift from God. Their selective use of 'proof texts' from scripture to rubbish this practice is both an isult to the intelligence of their fellow Christians and and to scripture itself.

David Linaker, Salisbury, UK

Well done to the Christians in Somerset. After all Jesus said himself " Iam the wat the truth & the life no one can come to teh Father except through me"
"Theres no other name under heaven by which people can be saved"
Objectors have an argument with God!

Gareth Davies, Birmingham,

Still, Vicars have to cover a long distance to meet their Talibani counterparts who banned TV, music, democracy etc because it was not discovered by muslims hence against Islam.

YK, Ilford, UK

Any Christians wishing to practice yoga may find that the Christian mantra "Maranathra" which means "Come Lord Jesus" assists their practice of this excellent form of exercise. Yoga is particularly helpful if you have a bad back, and is practised by many Christians.

ian Pettifer, Solihull, UK

To - WhiteH2OWoman

False gods ? So everybody else in the world who is non - Christian about 5 billion people including 1 billion Hindus is wasting there time by not following Christ ??

DB, Birmingham,