Is Yoga a Religion?

Yes ...

I say that, yes, yoga is a religion if one practices yoga religiously. Of course, much of what we do can be viewed as a religion insofar as "religion" is merely the consistent practice of what one believes in one's daily activities. I view myself as a writer and an artist and pursue those crafts as a result of deeply held beliefs. I call what I do a religion, even if only a religion of one. I sustain the practices because, if I'm authentically devoted to those practices with conviction, those practices, in turn, sustain me as well. This is why I do them.

Yoga could, from a certain point of view, be seen as very much a religion in the sense of the major religions, perhaps even more so. I dare say there are those who perform yoga I've know personally who are far more authentically devoted to it than most of those I've met who proclaim themselves "christian" or "jewish" or "muslim" or "buddhist" or just about any other label one might wish to apply from the traditional list of religions.

It is long overdue that one not adopt a specific religion because it is on a list, but rather to create one's own religion whatever that may be, provided you do so authentically and consistently and with conscious thought in doing so. Call it a "religion" or don't. What matters most is this - does it feed your spirit and allow you to exercise that spirit ... or not. If it doesn't, it matters little what name you give to it. It may be inappropriate for you.