Yoga leads to possession by devils?

But Madhavi Padhy, one of the foremost yoga exponents based in New Delhi, laughed off the claims of the 73-year-old Catholic priest, saying 8220;they are baseless8221;.

8220;Yoga originated in India thousands of years back. It has no connection with evil spirits. On the contrary, it helps you become more aware of your body, mind and environment. It also plays a key role in relieving stress and bringing inner peace,8221; Padhy told PTI.

Father Davies has argued in his new book 8216;In Exorcism: Understanding Exorcism In Scripture And Practice8217; published by the Catholic Truth Society, that people who practice yoga may end up afflicting themselves by demons, British newspaper the 8216;Daily Mail8217; has reported.

8220;The thin end of the wedge soft drugs, yoga for relaxation, horoscopes just for fun is more dangerous than the thick end because it is more deceptive 8212; an evil spirit tries to make his entry as unobtrusively as possible.

8220;Beware of any claim to mediate beneficial energies eg reiki, any courses that promise the peace that Christ promises eg enneagrams, any alternative therapy with its roots in eastern religion eg acupuncture,8221; he wrote in his newly published book.