Name: Alabama upholds a ban on yoga in school citing fears of the practice spreading Hinduism
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Alabama upholds a ban on yoga in school citing fears of the practice spreading Hinduism

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Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. It indicates a way to close an interaction, or dismiss a notification.An icon in the shape of a person's head and shoulders. It often indicates a user profile.Redeem nowSign up for our weekday newsletter, packed with original analysis, news, and trends — delivered right to your inbox.Something is loading.Legislation that would have allowed yoga to be taught in Alabama public schools died in committee Wednesday, stalling a years-long battle by one state legislator to bring the practice back.Bill was put forth by Alabama State Rep. Jeremy Gray, who wrote that bringing yoga back to school would be voluntary. It sought to overturn a ban on the practice in Alabama schools in place since 1993.Lawmakers in Alabama's state Senate voted on the proposal and decided against it, effectively endorsing the existing ban. Gray can attempt to pass the measure again later, but it is a significant setback.Alabama is the only state with such a rule. The says "school personnel shall be prohibited from using any techniques that involve the induction of hypnotic states, guided imagery, meditation or yoga" and additionally banned the use of the word "namaste."At issue is whether the practice of yoga promotes Hinduism — a claim several conservative Christian groups say is a problem.Because yoga is rooted in Hinduism, Eric Johnston, a legal adviser for the Alabama Citizens Action Program, told , "it does not need to be taught to small children in public schools.""If this bill passes, then instructors will be able to come into classrooms as young as kindergarten and bring these children through guided imagery, which is a spiritual exercise, and it's outside their parents' view. And we just believe that this is not appropriate," Betsy Garrison of the Eagle Forum of Alabama, .&nbsp;Gray's proposal still included language seeking to address that. It said that "chanting, mantras, mudras, use of mandalas, and 11 namaste greetings shall be expressly prohibited."But Gray and other yoga advocates say their critics have it wrong, and that focus and relax, which leads to better academic performance.&nbsp;"This whole notion that if you do yoga, you'll become Hindu — I've been doing yoga for 10 years and I go to church and I'm very much a Christian," Gray told reporters.&nbsp;According to a , around 36.7 million people practice yoga in the US.&nbsp;Sign up for notifications from Insider! Stay up to date with what you want to know.Subscribe to push notificationsAn icon in the shape of a lightning bolt.Keep readingTwo crossed lines that form an 'X'. It indicates a way to close an interaction, or dismiss a notification.

Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. It indicates a way to close an interaction, or dismiss a notification.An icon in the shape of a person's head and shoulders. It often indicates a user profile.Redeem nowSign up for our weekday newsletter, packed with original analysis, news, and trends — delivered right to your inbox.Something is loading.Legislation that would have allowed yoga to be taught in Alabama public schools died in committee Wednesday, stalling a years-long battle by one state legislator to bring the practice back.Bill was put forth by Alabama State Rep. Jeremy Gray, who wrote...

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Alabama upholds a ban on yoga in school citing fears of the practice spreading Hinduism

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