Apparently, there’s a yoga controversy brewing in upstate New York. The issue that’s caused such an uproar is the question of whether or not yoga should be taught in public schools. Some parents and religious leaders in the community of Messana, NY believe that the presence of yoga in schools is a violation of the separation of church and state. Well, we’d like to say to these concerned parents the following: “Whaaaaat are you talking about, guys? Yoga as it’s taught in the West is merely a practice which combines the body, mind, and breath, resulting in increased physical health, relaxation, and stress-reduction. It is a wonderful if not ideal technique to teach to children, considering their propensity for hyperactivity and short attention spans. Yoga is not, in and of itself, even close to being a religion – although it’s true that some practitioners do choose to fold the practice of yoga into their overarching religious or spiritual lives. But this is not the case for the majority of yoga practitioners in America, and it is definitely not the case with yoga as taught in public schools. We strongly recommend that you concerned parents in Messana, New York take a chill pill and relax about the prospect of yoga being taught to your children in school. You will be pleasantly surprised with the peaceful and calm effects that the practice of yoga will bring into your home via your childrens’ public education.”
Drishti Blog readers, why don’t you express yourself and take this online MSNBC poll that asks, “Is yoga an appropriate relaxation activity for public school students?” The last time we checked, 84% of the 6,000+ respondents had answered “YES”. Score one for yoga in schools!!
Yoga is awesome for schools- I teach at a private school, and every day parents come in and thank me. They say their kids focus better, concentrate harder, and are in better spirits after yoga. We don’t go into religion, but we do go into being mindful, respectful, and loving. It’s an amazing program!
Induism, Hinduism, Budism are all religions and should be kept out of schools. “Chill Pill?” The left wing, which I presume is you all, is the ones demanding seperation of church and state. You shot yourselves in the foot by doing it because your “non-religious” religion of yoga is being shot down across the US in public schools. If you dont think yoga is a religion you obviously have not looked into its roots. Teaching a non-religious yoga is like teaching Christianity without Jesus or Budism without Budah or Mahommad or Islam without Ali….it doesn’t work. If you are “just using it for exercise” you could stay away from the “religion of yoga” and do gymnastics without issue.