But instead of meditating on the yogic philosophies of energy and chakras in the Indian tradition, she matches each pose with a Bible scripture she reads out to her class on Sydney's lower north shore. Jospehine Lau (pink top) is one of a growing number of yoga teachers offering classes in Holy Yoga. Credit:Dallas Kilponen "I'm just trying to use yoga as a tool or a platform to share what I believe in. I find that it really grounds me." Christian yoga may seem like an oxymoron but it is one of the fastest growing areas in the American fitness industry and is catching on here. Holy Yoga Ministries, the US-based organisation through which Lau was trained, has more than 850 teachers globally, running classes that offer "worship, praise and intimate connection to Christ".

It is not without controversy. Critics say it is a misappropriation of an Eastern tradition and argue that yoga's Hindu roots cannot simply be replaced with another religion. Illustration: Matt Golding They are particularly sceptical about PraiseMoves, a worldwide "Christian alternative to yoga", whose followers believe traditional yoga poses are offerings to false Gods. Practitioners replace the names of poses with terms such as The Angel Bow, The Eagle, The Altar, and David's Harp posture, matched to Bible passages. Kamna Muddagouni, a Melbourne-based Hindu writer who has documented the shift from yoga as an ancient spiritual tradition to a Westernised commodity, claims Christian yoga has racist undertones.

"It's erasing of the cultural and historical significance of yoga and I question whether you're able to at all claim that you're appreciating an aspect if you're basically criticising and vilifying the roots of that movement. In essence, all you're doing is stealing from it," she said. "Christian yoga sits alongside this real disdain and xenophobic views towards people in countries like India or south Asia and Eastern philosophies, but at the same time feeling like it's OK to take practices from those people." One of the postures practised in PraiseMoves, a Christian alternative to yoga. Credit:PraiseMoves However, practitioners argue there is no disrespect towards other religions, the practice is simply a way to deepen their faith. Sharon Ereaux, a PraiseMoves instructor from Sydney, is grateful for the spiritual heritage of yoga that focuses on stillness, discipline and deep breathing but said she felt uncomfortable with traditional poses, such as salute to the sun.

"I would rather salute the creator," she said. "...When I'm in tree posture there are also Bible verses about God being a gardener who tends us and grows us, nurtures us and he wants us to be fruitful. So it really does enhance the understanding of the truths of the Bible in a new way and that's a big blessing." Yoga Australia chief executive, Shyamala Benakovic, said nobody owns yoga and they welcomed all forms of the practice. "Even if you look at the traditional yoga it's not related to a religion, it's about a scientific system, it's a lifestyle, it's a way of being. It's more cultural rather than religious," she said. jstark@fairfaxmedia.com.au Follow Jill on Facebook and Twitter