Yoga in Public Schools: Religious or Not?

Captured by Kristi Kosina

Our public schools are not supposed to promote one religion over another.  So, why are they pushing for the inclusion of Yoga in physical education classes?  Whether or not yoga is considered religious, the health and fitness benefits are undeniable.  Sure, the athletic practice began as a way to attain mental, physical, and spiritual well-being many millenia ago, but the poses and breathing techniques are not, in itself, religious.  Western Yoga has become secularized for consumption of the general public.  It can be done without thinking about the religious aspects.  Tony Horton includes a Yoga DVD in his P90X program in which he tells consumers not to fear the oms, because many people cannot seem to ignore the religious undertones.  Yes, religious naming conventions are worked into the exercises, such as prayer twists, Ashtanga sun salutations, and meditative oms; but there is nothing remotely religious about postures and breathing unless people want there to be.

The idea that schools are conspiring to trick children into spiritual activity is ludicrous.  There is an obesity epidemic in America and public schools are struggling to find ways to keep children interested and engaged in physical exercise.  Yoga is a fun and challenging way to help solve obesity.  If public schools want to include Yoga in their physical education program, the focus should be on the physical aspects and not on the spiritual parts.  Just call it, Yoga.  Don't include foreign words, like Ashtanga, in the title that will add confusion.  Schools can rename poses with religious connotations to secular names.

America is a melting pot of all ideas and its people should embrace Yoga in its cultural entirety.  Other exercise alternatives should be present, but yoga is first and foremost a physical activity.  Really, it should be up to the individual whether or not they would like to engage in it.  However, education on the health benefits that Yoga offers should also be presented to parents, so they can make an informed decision about their children's health.  They should be assured that their children will be engaging in a secular form of Yoga, not meant to "indoctrinate" their children into any religion.  As with any controversial educational program, parents should also be able to opt their children out.  Though, public school children who don't participate in Yoga will certainly miss out on a great physically challenging activity.