I used to feel like my inner witch and inner yogi were two aspects of myself that had to stay in their seperate compartments. But the deeper I went into each practice, the more I could see how these pieces of me could not only coexist but intertwine as they both work towards the same purpose: to give life meaning.
When you look beyond the surface, it's easy to see that yoga and witchcraft share more in common than meets the eye. They may come from different backgrounds historically and culturally but both are lifelong spiritual paths that awaken something deeper inside us.
In this post I will explain the similarities between the two practices, and the magic that can happen when you weave them both together.
Do no harm, but take no shit.
What is considered witchcraft today is mostly inspired by Paganism, (a pre-Christian, earth-based religion) and by Indigenous beliefs from all over the world.
One of the most well-known paths of witchcraft, Wicca, follows a moral guideline known as the “Wiccan Rede” which states: “an ye harm done, do what ye will”. Basically, what that means is: 'as long as you aren't hurting anyone, do what you want'. This expression echoes one of the Yamas (ethical rules) in yoga, known as ahimsa. Ahimsa means non-violence, and refers to not hurting anyone through your words, actions, or thoughts.
This rule of doing no harm challenges the common representation of the word “witch”. A quick Google search of the word will show associations with evil green-faced women, devil worship, and hunchback hags who poison children. This was old-school ideation designed to suppress women's power and demonize any belief system that didn’t align with the dominant religious and political forces. The real harm here was fear and misunderstanding.
What is a witch, really?
In its truest sense, a witch can be defined as someone who lives in tune with nature, following the cycle of seasons, the lunar rhythm, and their bodies. The word “witch” comes from old English words wicce (wise woman), wikk (magic and sorcery), wican (to bend) and witan (to know).
Being a witch is about tapping into your inner power and intuition for spiritual connection, healing, and guidance. It is a deeply creative and personal practice that empowers one to create change.
It's important to note that not everyone who engages in rituals or the healing arts, identifies as a witch. For some, labeling their sacred or medicinal practices as witchcraft is offensive. During the 16th and 17th centuries, thousands were accused and executed in witch hunts—many of them healers, midwives, or simply individuals who stood out in some way. With over 75% of the accused being women, the word witch carries a heavy burden, and some prefer a different name.
But for many, like myself, calling ourselves witches is an act of reclamation—a way to honor an ancient lineage of wisdom keepers, defy oppressive histories, and embrace divine feminine autonomy.
What is magic?
Magic can be defined in alot of different ways and is not merely a product of witchcraft. It can be found anywhere, in the simplest of moments, from a sunrise to the metamorphosis of a caterpillar to a butterfly. It belongs to no one and nothing, yet each of us holds it inside of us whether we know it's there or not.
Yes, magic is deeply embedded in witchcraft, but it is also found and generated on the yoga mat. Most people, after a yoga class, will attest to feeling an elevated mood, an energy shift, or a sense of awakening, described as a “yoga glow”. Some may even consider it “magical”. Are yogis and witches really that different if their practices both work in magical ways?
What makes someone a Yogi?
A yogi can be defined as someone who dedicates themselves to a lifestyle of spiritual growth and inner balance, through the path of yoga. They use movement, specific poses, hand gestures, chanting and breathing techniques, to stimulate their life force energy (prana).
In the Yoga Sutras, Patanjali even describes supernatural powers, called siddhis, including clairvoyance, telepathy, levitation, and access to past life memories. Siddis were said to be naturally available to all humans through mastery of concentration and connection with the divine.
So you can see, it actually has nothing to do with LuLuLemon
Being a yogi or yogini (female use of the word) has more to do with the lifestyle than just the physical act of doing yoga poses or how much you love attending classes at a local studio. To be a yogi, takes immense dedication and commitment. The path of yoga is an 8 limb path with asana (yoga poses) being just one of those. It takes years of practicing, honoring all the moral principles, and studying yourself. Integration of all of that, is what makes a yogi.
What happens when you combine the two?
Yoga and witchcraft aren’t just compatible—they enhance each other.
Yoga can be beneficial to witches, as the practice of meditation helps to connect you to the spiritual realm. Pranayama (breath work) and mudras (symbolic hand gestures) are used to stimulate the flow of energy in the body. Utilizing mantras (reciting words, sounds, or phrases) is another tool that's used to essentially speak something into existence, the same way you might cast a spell, or say a prayer.
Likewise, witchcraft can enhance a yoga practice. Because yoga is a lineage passed down primarily by men, infusing the feminine nature of witchcraft into the practice can actually be a more holistic approach. Not only can this help to connect women back to their divine power, but it would help any practitioner tap into their feminine side and bring more balance back to our masculine dominant world.
It's a Magical Symbiosis
When I first began to merge these two practices, I thought I had to change something about my yoga practice to make it “more witchy.” But then I came to the realization that the magic was always there to begin with. I didn’t need to add anything, just adjust the lens through which I was looking at it.
As I practiced with this new perspective, the words “as within, so without” started to make sense in a whole new way. My yoga practice isnt about the poses or even the breath, it is how I work with energy, and express my inner world. It's about and cultivation and harvesting of my intentions.
Both yoga and witchcraft at their core, are rituals that work to transform, activate and connect your inner power. Whether you’re practicing sun salutations or creating a magical brew, both practices are ways to honor the sacredness of life and your connection to the world around you. When you combine the two, you open up a whole new world of possibility.
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