Well, there's Yoga and then there's Yoga. The earlier commenter mentioned Hatha Yoga, which is more or less stripped of religious meaning, which is probably what this is. But the many other varieties of Yoga that exist are often tied to Hinduism and it's derivatives. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoga

The problem with the comments about Communion vs. eating bread and wine is terminology. Stretching is a different thing than Yoga for Health in the same way eating bread and wine is different from Communion. It's in the name. And the names we use give meaning to the mundane.

While I think the parents in this case are being fairly closed-minded, I do think it's important to understand where their fear comes from (that Yoga is and important part of Hinduism, even if many westerners don't know it) and to deal with the details of the situation with respect and patience.

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SKL--
Good point that every religion, indeed every -ism, will consist of kind and unkind, loving and hateful.

It was actually Paul (not Peter), a persecuter of Christians present at the stoning of Stephen, who was on the road to Damascus when he was struck down for three days while in the spiritual presence and teaching of Jesus. The reason that he gives in the book of Romans for eating food that, according to Old Testament law is considered unclean, is that Christ being the fulfillment of the Old Testament covenant saves us by his blood and by his grace, removing the need to follow dietary laws. He goes on to say that you should abstain out of consideration and love if you are eating with others who feel the need to stick to the dietary laws.He never mentions tolerance and in fact still preaches against eating food sacrificed to idols as pagan cultures commonly did.

Jesus did preach that we should guard what comes out of our mouths, but he was very clear on what that should be. Remember the Samaritan woman at the well? Jesus befriended her, spoke with her, but he called her adultery a sin. He didn't say "hey, whatever works for you." He spoke of one way to heaven: "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life."

To the Christians reading this (Christian isn't synonymous with Gentile, and it's not just about believing that there is a God. A Christian is one who believes that all have sinned, that Christ=God in the flesh, died as propitiation for our sin and took our punishment, and that by humbling ourselves to admit our sinfulness, to admit that on our own we can never be righteous, and that we need a Savior to redeem us): remember that we are to show joy. We are to condemn sin, not people. 1Peter 3: Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God..." and 1Peter 3:15, But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give them the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander."
Be above reproach. Speak the truth in love, and counsel those among you who would speak words of hate.

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It's unsettling how trendy it's become to be bash one another's regligion nowadays. No matter how many ways you slice it, yoga at its very roots is the physical extension of .... you guessed it, a religion. It's just that we've all been desensitized into believing it isn't.

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lol...im tired of crazy religious zealots when did our country turn into Utah? if you do not want your kids to take yoga inform the school let them get fat i personally dont care but dont try to keep my kid from learning it!!! i am christian but not everythingthat is not christian is from the devil and i hope when you die the first words out of Gods mouth are "dude way harsh... you know i do yoga twice a day"

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Yoga can be religious if it is used to navigate through the four stages of Hindu life. But it can be practised without religious overtones. I have a photo of the Four stages of American Life

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