Moscow: The Russian government has decided to ban Yoga in the country to curb "religious cults". The officials have sent letters to two studios in the central city of Nizhnevartovsk asking them to stop hosting yoga classes being taught in municipal buildings.

The Aura and Ingara studios are both known to conduct classes of Hatha yoga, one of the most popular forms in Europe. 

According to Russian media reports, the letter received by both studios urges them to “prevent the spread of new religious cults and movements.” The letters identify Hatha yoga as being “inextricably linked to religious practices” and ask the property owners to put a stop to the classes accordingly.

According to Hindu traditions Hatha yoga was founded by Shiva, one of the main deities of Hinduism, and passed down in succession through disciples.