Yoga Subject to Sales Tax?

Here's an interesting question raised by some yoga practitioners in Missouri -- whether or not yoga classes should be subject to Missouri sales tax rather than being tax exempt due to religious reasons.

Hindus, yoga teachers question Missouri sales tax

(AP) -- Some Hindus and yoga instructors say yoga has religious or spiritual aspects and shouldn't be subject to a Missouri sales tax that applies to recreation.

A Hindu chaplain from Nevada, Rajan Zed, said Wednesday that yoga is one of six systems in Hindu philosophy. He says regulating the practice of physical poses and meditation could be considered religious infringement.

The Missouri Department of Revenue sent letters to 140 yoga and Pilates centers on Oct. 13, telling them they must collect sales tax on fees for their classes. Despite media reports to the contrary, Department of Revenue spokesman Ted Farnen said some other states collect similar sales tax.

The department will consider religious exemptions on a case-by-case basis.

[Source]

Seems like everyone is trying to be tax exempt these days.  If they receive tax-exempt status, would that also make the purchase of yoga-related equipment tax exempt?  What about people who take yoga for strictly the exercise and not for religious reasons.  Will they have to pay the sales tax, while true yoga adherents won't?

I'm a Christian and have taken yoga for the great stretching and strengthening it offers.  In fact, I really got into it following my hip surgery.  So, if I were to take yoga for exercise, especially in light of recovering from surgery and as part of rehab,  could such a class qualify as a medical expense so that a person could use their FSA insurance card to pay for it?

I say just pay the sales tax, folks.  Otherwise, yoga could be finagled in so many different ways.