Is YOGA allowed in Islam?

Assalamualaikum

Although yoga is considered to be quite good, I heard an Islamic Scholar not so long ago say it's not allowed but it's best to ask an Aalim http://www.islamqa.com
Also I found the following http://www.islamonline.net/livefatwa/eng... which when you read somewhere in this 5 or 6 questions, there's one on yoga where the Scholar says it's Haraam. For your convenience, I will post from the link above, the question and answer on this:

Question asked: "Is Yoga permissible or not?"

Answer given by Scholar: "Wa`alykum As-Salaamu wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakaatuh.

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.

Dear brother in Islam, we would like to thank you for showing keenness on knowing the teachings of Islam, and we appreciate the great confidence you have in us. We hope our efforts meet your expectations.

With regard to your question, Sports are basically Halal and permitted in Islam as long as they do not encompass forbidden acts. As for Yoga, it contains certain religious rituals aiming at educating and disciplining the soul. Moreover, those who practice it claim that there is a spiritual contact between them and some hidden spirits in which they themselves believe. Given all this, practicing Yoga by Muslims is Haram.


Allah Almighty knows best. " http://www.islamonline.net/livefatwa/eng...


Salaam

Of course, it is just some gentle exercise and breathing techniques. Why would Islam have anything against that?