Vicar sparks outrage by BANNING yoga classes from his church hall due to links to other faiths

Instructor Melissa Makan held sessions of yoga nidra, a relaxation practice with Hindu and Buddhist origins, for seven months.

She said the classes were halted after Rev James Allison learned by chance they were being held at St John the Baptist Anglican Church, Halifax.

Melissa, 37, insists she stays clear of spirituality and said of the decision: “It’s ridiculous. Yoga isn’t a religion.

“What he is doing is causing a division when the world is already so divided. Even if it does have Hindu origins, so what? Tea has Chinese origins.”

Class member Catherine Horsfall said it helped her health, adding: “It has no relation to religion whatsoever.”

But Rev Allison, 57, said several of his congregation took issue with some yoga teachings. The ban followed a Parochial Church Council meeting.

Rev Allison added: “Some open-mind meditation can be unhelpful to certain people and great care has to be taken over how it is taught.”

Classes are moving to a community centre.

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