Russian City Calls Off Yoga Classes To Prevent the Spread of Religious Trends

Government officials ban yoga in a central Russian city because they believe the exercise is a religious cult.

The Moscow Times reported that letters were sent to two yoga studios in Nizhnevartovsk to halt classes in city facilities "in order to prevent the spread of new religious cults and movements."

Another letter refers to Hatha yoga as "inextricably linked to religious practices" and having "an occult character." The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health says that Hatha yoga "emphasizes postures, breathing exercises, and meditation."

Source: Medindia