Negotiating Spirituality and Institutional Religion: The Experiences of Yoga Practitioners in Türkiye

Yoga practitioners in Türkiye initially take up yoga for psychological and physical benefits, but those who feel constrained by institutional religion's strict norms are especially attracted to yoga's flexible and inclusive nature. Contrary to the common belief that yoga leads people away from religion, sustained practice may instead cultivate forms of religiosity and spirituality that develop outside traditional religious institutions.

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Abstract

This study aims to explore how yoga practitioners in Türkiye perceive institutional religion, including the role of yoga in their religious lives, their motivations for turning to yoga, and their perceptions of institutional religion’s approach to yoga. Semi-structured online interviews were conducted with 16 participants selected through purposive sampling. Data were analyzed through thematic content analysis within the psychology of religion framework, assisted by MAXQDA 2020. As a result of this analytical process, four themes were identified: motivation for starting yoga, after yoga, religious perspectives on yoga, and why yoga. Findings indicate that participants initially practiced yoga for psychological and physiological benefits, and individuals who felt discomfort with the strict norms and negative connotations associated with institutional religion were particularly drawn to yoga’s flexible and inclusive structure. Contrary to the common assumption in Türkiye that yoga leads individuals away from religion, the results suggest that sustained yoga practice may foster forms of religiosity and spirituality that develop independently of traditional or institutional religion.