Christian parents want school yoga classes banned
Categories: Development, Education, That's entertainment
I've taken yoga classes, and I loved them, and I never suspected that quiet stretching could cause controversy, but in a small town in Canada, it has.
A parent's group is arguing that yoga should not be taught in school because it is a "religion, and shouldn't be taught in schools." They are reacting to a program in a small-town school that teaches children stretches in an effort to fight childhood obesity.
One local Mom says that her son was told to "put his hands together" during the class, and that could provide an opening to the devil. The school board returned that the yoga is being taught as a stretching exercise, not a spiritual one, and that children may choose to do different exercises or leave the classroom.
Now, the yoga I took was only beginner, but there was no indication of any kind of religious intonation by my instructor. I understand the premise behind many religious principals, but this one leaves me baffled. Is yoga a religion?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Julie 1-10-2007 @ 12:26PM
Come on....do they have nothing better to complain about. Yoga is not religous
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Mary 1-10-2007 @ 12:34PM
This is *almost funny. It reminds me of my dad, way back when, telling me that Stairway to Heaven was satanic. Get a grip people, really. Putting your hands together provides an opening to the devil? I'm guessing they didn't teach him to put his hands together in prayer then, either? Yoga isn't a religion. It can be used religiously (like wine) but it's not a religion. When I read stuff like this, it just reinforces my decision to stay away from all religions. Sheesh.
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TomF 1-10-2007 @ 12:35PM
No, Yoga is not very Christian in its practice. However, intolerance sure seems to be.
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Christine 1-10-2007 @ 12:39PM
Here is a quote off of www.yoga.com:
"The hands held in union signify (he oneness of an apparently dual cosmos, the bringing together of spirit and matter, or the self meeting the Self. It has been said that the right hand represents the higher nature or that which is divine in us, while the left hand represents the lower, worldly nature."
This sure sounds a lot like a "religion" to me.
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ARB 1-10-2007 @ 12:53PM
It is for the sake of preventing childhood obesity people! It is not being used as a method to instill religion in our youth! This world has become absolutely rediculous in the amount of bull that it comes up with.
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Mary 1-10-2007 @ 12:55PM
To Christine,
And if I tell you that wine is used to represent the blood of Jesus Christ, then does that mean anyone who is drinking wine right now is doing it to symbolize drinking the blood that Jesus shed for you? Hell no. Do you really think they taught the children in this class what all the movements symbolize? Come on people, have some common sense. Just what we need in this world, more religious zealots. Scary.
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Susannah 1-10-2007 @ 1:00PM
Oh wow... An "opening for the devil" based on how one folds their hands? How sad to go through life so afraid of an imaginary creature, some bogeyman who can get you if you fold your hands a certain way. And to inflict that on your children as well...
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Holly 1-10-2007 @ 1:02PM
To Mary,
If you said 'this wine represents the blood of Jesus' as you we expecting everyone else to drink, yeah--religious. I don't know how this class was being taught/coached but MANY yoga instructors, not all, but MANY, DO say the meaning behind the moves as they go through them, so that takes it beyond just stretching. If it is just to stretch and for health why not Pilates, that has nothing to do w/ religion.
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Sue Lynn 1-10-2007 @ 1:03PM
It is radical Christians that give the rest of us a bad rap. My church has always taught tolerance of others.
I agree with Mary's statement:
"Do you really think they taught the children in this class what all the movements symbolize? "
Hmmm...maybe someone should research the symbolism in doing jumping jacks, sit-ups, push-ups, climbing a rope, etc.
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Rachel 1-10-2007 @ 1:10PM
Yoga originated as part of an Indian religion, yes. But that doesn't invalidate it as a form of exercise. For instance, the "Sun Salutation" (a series of yoga poses) is a "sun god salutation" when used with religion, without the religious thoughts it's just a great way to start the day or a yoga class.
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Rachel 1-10-2007 @ 1:15PM
My first semester of college I took a yoga class to offset my tough classes with something peaceful in the middle. The instructor never mentioned as Christine said, "the right hand represents the higher nature or that which is divine in us"... never said anything close to that all. She did say it helps us become one with ourself and to find peace within to do the stretches.
I found it most relaxing and thoroughly enjoyed it and took a class the next semester as well.
It's really sad that parents can't even let their kids enjoy a creative way to exercise, which is basically all this is. Instead of making them run around the gym like rats like I had to do in elementary, they're trying to create a unique and different atmosphere to show kids there are all kinds of ways to stretch and exercise your body.
I hope not too many parents are opposed to this, because it's a lot of fun, and might even help kids who have ADD to calm down for just a bit.
Seriously, this world gets more ridiculous every day. Lighten up, people.
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anna 1-10-2007 @ 1:16PM
Christine, anything we do may be taken out of context, yoga tought in school is one of them . The yoga workout is ment to help the kids stay in shape. If you had a chance to take a look at the way so many kids look you would agree that something needs to be done to help them loose weight, they are scary! I think its a good way to get them started. Mary was correct in her comment, "to put hands together" is what you do when you pray , at least christians are tought to do that, so I dont understand how that it would also invite the devil. Call me crazy ....
Anyway the world we live in there are more important things parents need to worry in regards of their children that little yoga excercise
anna
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mary 1-10-2007 @ 1:24PM
christine,
if you read what you've quoted us, you'd understand that yoga is not a "religion" as such, but, I think, it's used by people to come to a better understanding of themselves in whatever and at whatever pace they choose. People use it as a release to their every day stress, it's a calming within. It's not really something you would see as your higher power, it seems to me to be a great way to "chill", get it? (get that
----- outta ur ---, oops! sorry. =]
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DaveS 1-10-2007 @ 1:33PM
What they're teaching is called hatha yoga, and no, it's not a religion. It's a method for keeping the body trim, fit, and healthy using gentle stretching exercises. It's one thing to want a good upbringing for your children. It's another to go off the wacko end of paranoia. Tell those folks to acquire a life.
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Joyce 1-10-2007 @ 1:34PM
This world is full of religious zealots. I was raised by a couple of them and most of my family continues that way. I was taught never to question anything that wasn't preached in the church, it could lead to opening my spirit up to evil. Hogwash.
There is some middle ground and probably most of us are on it. Religion is not a bad thing, but teaching fear is not of God. Fear is not of God.
Reverence, self respect, respect for others, etc. My problem with a lot of religions is the teaching intolerance of others. Many religions are rife with this sin.
For myself, I like to walk softly, speak kindly, and don't expect anybody to conform to my religious, moral or spiritual beliefs. After all, we are all responsible for ourselves and if we don't teach our children that concept then we are in deep trouble. They will be exposed to countless things that are not what is taught in the home. Some good, some bad. They need to be able to figure out which is which so they can make sound decisions. So teach at home what you want. Your children will listen to what is taught with love.
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Patty 1-10-2007 @ 1:37PM
I wonder if the same group of parents are opposed to saying "God bless you" or "Gesundheit" after someone sneezes. We just went through similar events in the county I live in when a high school tried to offer a Transcendental Meditation program. In the end, a handful of parents put the kibosh on it, complaining that it was a religion.
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mary 1-10-2007 @ 1:43PM
christine,
if you read what you've quoted us, you'd understand that yoga is not a "religion" as such, but, I think, it's used by people to come to a better understanding of themselves in whatever and at whatever pace they choose. People use it as a release to their every day stress, it's a calming within. It's not really something you would see as your higher power, it seems to me to be a great way to "chill", get it? (get that
----- outta ur ---, oops! sorry. =]
Reply
mary 1-10-2007 @ 1:52PM
christine,
if you read what you've quoted us, you'd understand that yoga is not a "religion" as such, but, I think, it's used by people to come to a better understanding of themselves in whatever and at whatever pace they choose. People use it as a release to their every day stress, it's a calming within. It's not really something you would see as your higher power, it seems to me to be a great way to "chill", get it? (get that
----- outta ur ---, oops! sorry. =]
Reply
meshell 1-10-2007 @ 1:55PM
Give me a break! I am pretty sure (even if you think yoga is a religion) that they dont teach elementary school kids what the hand positions means. Heck, I bet the teachers dont even know. They probably just saw it in a yoga video. First, we complain about schools telling us our kids are fat, now we complain about them trying to do something about it. Come on! I bet they also think that if you dont tell your kid about sex, they wont ever want to do it. WRONG. If you dont inform your child about health, diet, exercise, sex, they will find out from someone else. And chances are, the information will be incomplete or just plain wrong. Hate is not a family value. Let them stretch, I'm sure its more fun than some of the weight targeted activities they have - if any.
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LTalbert 1-10-2007 @ 1:59PM
I'm pretty sure God meant to make "Thou shalt not stretch" the 11th commandment but just forgot.
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