Religion?

Previously to this course, I never acknowledged yoga as a religion. I always just viewed it as a form of exercise and stretching, a way to relieve stress and feel relaxed. The reason I felt that way is because that is basically how it is viewed in the east. I was never exposed to the perspective of yoga in the west.  What really changed my mind on yoga being a religion or not was the movie we watched in the beginning of the semester. I am forgetful of the name, but it was where the people in india sacrificed so much to be a yogi. Yoga was their life. They sacrificed so much to become a yogi-some people stood up for hours or woke up in the middle of night just to practice. Watching that video really blew my mind. All in all, in my opinion, the way we practice yoga in the east is not a religion. I would classify it as a hobby or a form of working out. In the west, it is 100% a religion. They worship the yogis and yoga is everything to them-it is their way of living.