US court allows teaching yoga in Southern California district school

A US court has allowed teaching yoga in a Southern California district school as part of curriculum, rejecting the petition by parents that the ancient Indian practice is promoting Hindu religious beliefs.

San Diego Superior Court Judge John Meyer on Monday ruled that the yoga programme of Encinitas Union School District does not endorse any religion.

As such the judge rejected the plea of a section of parents of schools that the Encinitas Union School District in San Diego by providing instruction in Ashtanga yoga, is promoting religious beliefs.

The law suit was filed by The National Center for Law and Policy on behalf of the parents.

‘It’s almost like a trial by Wikipedia, which isn’t what this court does,’ said Meyer, who took nearly two hours to explain a decision that explored yoga’s Indian roots and philosophy.

The 30-minute programme in Encinitas, funded by the Jois Foundation, is composed of stretching and breathing exercises and is designed to help keep students active while learning basic relaxation techniques.

While the Jois Foundation is a proponent of Ashtanga yoga, an eight-limbed practice based in Hindu philosophy with the ultimate goal of moksha, or liberation, the programme for public schools is stripped of spiritual teachings, chanting, and even the Sanskrit language.

 

For example, the lotus position was renamed the ‘crisscross applesauce’ pose.

Dean Broyles, an attorney for Encinitas parents Stephen and Jennifer Sedlock, said he would likely appeal. ‘This case is not about whether yoga has health benefits, whether individuals may personally practice yoga, or whether individuals like or enjoy yoga. ‘This case is simply about whether public schools may entangle themselves with religious organisations like the Jois Foundation.