From 11–14 January 2026, Goa became a meeting ground for spiritual leaders, yoga practitioners, theologians, and seekers from around the world as Yoga and Christianity: Bridging Practice and Faith convened for four days of dialogue, prayer, and embodied contemplation. Hosted by Kripa Foundation and Light on Yoga International, the conference explored how ancient Christian and Yogic traditions can speak meaningfully to one another in the modern world.
Set in an atmosphere of stillness and reflection, the gathering offered a carefully curated program of keynote addresses, panels, conversations, and daily contemplative practices. Participants engaged in a living experience of integration, where prayer, movement, silence, and dialogue were woven into a shared rhythm of transformation. Each day began with open silent retreat spaces, inviting participants into meditation, prayer, and breath awareness — a rhythm that many described as “transformative” and “deeply grounding.”
These moments of stillness framed a rich program of keynote addresses, panels, conversations, and guided practices, grounding intellectual inquiry in embodied experience. Across traditions and cultures, a shared theme emerged: stillness as a gateway to transformation, compassion, and deeper presence in the world. “Stillness was not treated as an idea,” reflected one participant, “but as a way of being together.”
Opening the conference, Archbishop Felix spoke of breath as a sacred gift, describing it as “the meeting place of God’s life and our own.” This theme resonated deeply throughout the program, particularly in the work of Fr. Joe Pereira, Founder of the Kripa Foundation, who emphasized the practical implications of integration for healing and recovery.
“At Kripa, we see every day that healing happens when the whole person is addressed — body, mind, and spirit,” Fr. Joe shared. “This conference reflects the heart of our work here: spirituality that is lived, embodied, and accessible, especially to those who carry deep wounds. Yoga and Christian contemplation, when held with discernment and care, become powerful instruments of restoration.”
Keynote speakers Archbishop Felix, Fr. Laurence Freeman, Fr. Joe Pereia, Rita Keller, Alan Goode, and Dr. Humza Muljiani offered perspectives rooted in Christian meditation, Iyengar Yoga, theology, philosophy, and interreligious scholarship. Topics ranged from sacred breathing and the body as a temple, to meditation as a spirituality for the 21st century, the science of stillness, and the significance of ritual and rhythm in spiritual life. Drawing from Christian scripture, monastic tradition, the Yoga Sutras, and the Bhagavad Gita, speakers emphasized that authentic dialogue does not dilute tradition but deepens it.
Dr. Humza Muljiani’s reflections on the Bhagavad Gita and the Passion of Christ drew particular attention. “Across traditions,” he noted, “we encounter the same human trembling in the face of suffering — and the same invitation to surrender into compassion. The languages differ, but the inner journey is profoundly familiar.”
Daily led sessions in pranayama, restorative yoga, contemplative meditation, Ignatian imaginative prayer, and integrated movement practices allowed participants to embody the themes explored in lectures. Many attendees described these sessions as highlights of the conference, noting how embodied practice opened new ways of understanding prayer, healing, and attention.
Rita Keller, reflecting on healing and embodiment, observed, “When the body is approached with reverence and patience, it becomes a place where prayer can land. Healing is not about fixing ourselves, but about learning to listen deeply — to breath, to sensation, and to grace.”
Panel discussions led by Janet Nelson brought clergy, yoga teachers, and long-term practitioners into thoughtful conversation. Topics included meditation and dhyāna, ethical living through the Yamas, Niyamas, and the Ten Commandments, and resonances between Psalm 46 — “Be still and know that I am God” — and Patañjali’s definition of yoga as the stilling of the mind. Rather than seeking easy synthesis, the panellists modelled respectful dialogue grounded in humility and discernment.
A moving session titled Voices from the Field featured personal stories of transformation from senior practitioners shaped by the lineage of B.K.S. Iyengar. Reflecting on lifelong practice, Alan Goode shared, “It is in the small, repeated acts of attention — in the quiet spaces between moments — that something deeply sacred is formed.”
The conference concluded with a forward-looking exploration of future directions for integrating yoga and spirituality in pastoral, therapeutic, and contemplative contexts. In his closing keynote, Fr. Laurence Freeman captured the spirit of the gathering: “Nothing against nature can be against Christ. Where there is truth, there is Christ.”
As participants departed, many spoke of renewed clarity, hope, and a deeper appreciation for their own traditions. Yoga and Christianity: Bridging Practice and Faith demonstrated that when ancient paths meet with integrity and compassion, they do more than coexist — they offer healing, wisdom, and wholeness for a fragmented world.