Yoga too religious for schools?

Discuss...

Yoga in schools

I am for separation of church and state, esp in schools. For example, I don't think it's fair that certain religious holidays are celebrated as it leaves out other religious holidays.

However, I think yoga is good for kids!

Yoga too religious for schools?

i had no idea Yoga was religious

Re: Yoga too religious for schools?

That's silly.

We had yoga as a class in my high school; you could take it as your physical education credit if you wanted. It was cool, it was relaxing, it cleared your mind for a bit.

To say that because yoga is sometimes incorporated into religious experiences and THAT'S why it should be forbidden brings to mind how some churches serve grape juice (rather than wine) during communion. Should grape juice be prohibited from being served in school cafeterias because it is sometimes incorporated into a religious ceremony? No.

What this boils down to is people who don't know any better and rather than get educated, they react.

Yoga too religious for schools?

I teach in NYC public school and my students had yoga once a week one of my students opted out because of religious regions and they had her sit on the side and read

Re: Yoga too religious for schools?

We live in a crazy world. My kids went to a summer camp at a Catholic school this summer and Yoga was one of the activities. I'm not sure how you can say it interferes with religous rights when you are concentrating on the exercise and not the spirituality.

Re: Yoga too religious for schools?

They have a problem with it because it doesn't align with their religion. They'd probably be fine with it if originated from Christianity instead of Hiduism/Buddhism

Yoga too religious for schools?

That is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard...

Re: Yoga too religious for schools?

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Message edited 8/23/2013 9:08:09 AM.

Re: Yoga too religious for schools?

I've never studied yoga, & only taken a few classes over the years & I had no idea it was that religious. I guess I understood it was spiritually based, but not in religion per se, & especially since Instructors I know are no saints

I'm a certified PE teacher & never heard it being contradictory for schools either.

Just don't call it yoga? And dont stress the religious components, Call it something. Stretching, relaxation, self-awareness of one's body, breath & muscle control, are very beneficial skills & should be taught. But good grief, many kids AND adults could use a little relaxation, if this gets them bent-out-of-shape (no pun intended)

Message edited 8/22/2013 5:12:26 PM.

Re: Yoga too religious for schools?

i'm sorry but this thinking is completely ridiculous. It's exercise. They're not teaching children to pray or chant or even reach out to any spiritual anythings while doing yoga - they're doing a good thing in trying to get them to get off their asses and be healthy!


(and ftr, a ouija board IS a game, trust me. That's all i can say about the post above without probably coming across as offensive)

Re: Yoga too religious for schools?

I'm Catholic and my parents are both very aware of chirch teachings, and they wouldve told me if yoga was a no-no. I've never heard of it being "banned by the Vatican" After a quick google search, it seems as if the Catholic Church warns Catholics not to get caught up in the Eastern Mysticism that come with yoga, and to not lose sight if the Christian way of praying. That said, the Vatican never banned the practice if yoga as excerise, especially if it relaxes Christians to then meditate in a Christian way. I occasionally do yoga and will continue to do so.

Catholic Digest Article on the matter:skim through to the bottom where the author talks about what church teaching say on yoga.

ETA, I'd have no problem with yoga in school, as long as it focused only in the physical benefit and didn't get into the spiritual/mediation aspect of it.

Message edited 8/22/2013 5:23:37 PM.

Re: Yoga too religious for schools?

Posted by Otherme



i'm sorry but this thinking is completely ridiculous. It's exercise. They're not teaching children to pray or chant or even reach out to any spiritual anythings while doing yoga - they're doing a good thing in trying to get them to get off their asses and be healthy!


(and ftr, a ouija board IS a game, trust me. That's all i can say about the post above without probably coming across as offensive)

Re: Yoga too religious for schools?

Re: Yoga too religious for schools?

Posted by Otherme



i'm sorry but this thinking is completely ridiculous. It's exercise. They're not teaching children to pray or chant or even reach out to any spiritual anythings while doing yoga - they're doing a good thing in trying to get them to get off their asses and be healthy!


(and ftr, a ouija board IS a game, trust me. That's all i can say about the post above without probably coming across as offensive)

Message edited 8/22/2013 5:23:26 PM.

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Message edited 8/23/2013 9:09:56 AM.

Re: Yoga too religious for schools?

Posted by ElizaRags35

Posted by Otherme



i'm sorry but this thinking is completely ridiculous. It's exercise. They're not teaching children to pray or chant or even reach out to any spiritual anythings while doing yoga - they're doing a good thing in trying to get them to get off their asses and be healthy!


(and ftr, a ouija board IS a game, trust me. That's all i can say about the post above without probably coming across as offensive)

ITA

Yoga religious? What a ridiculous notion.

The Vatican and clergy also say gays are an abomination, no?

Re: Yoga too religious for schools?

Posted by MrsDamonSalv7319

Posted by ElizaRags35

Posted by Otherme



i'm sorry but this thinking is completely ridiculous. It's exercise. They're not teaching children to pray or chant or even reach out to any spiritual anythings while doing yoga - they're doing a good thing in trying to get them to get off their asses and be healthy!


(and ftr, a ouija board IS a game, trust me. That's all i can say about the post above without probably coming across as offensive)

ITA

Yoga religious? What a ridiculous notion.

The Vatican and clergy also say gays are an abomination, no?

I respect everyone's difference of opinion, I'd just like to point out that the original article says nothing about Catholics, specifically, but Christians taking issue in general...that implies that other denominations of Christianity are taking issue with this too...and other Christians do not follow the Vatican. Also, the Vatican has NOT come out and banned yoga, only made statements about Catholics not getting caught up in the spiritual aspect of it.

Re: Yoga too religious for schools?

Posted by itsbabytime

Posted by Otherme



i'm sorry but this thinking is completely ridiculous. It's exercise. They're not teaching children to pray or chant or even reach out to any spiritual anythings while doing yoga - they're doing a good thing in trying to get them to get off their asses and be healthy!


(and ftr, a ouija board IS a game, trust me. That's all i can say about the post above without probably coming across as offensive)

Love the eye-rolling. Very respectful of another posters religious beliefs. What I posted was pretty much word for word what the priest at my church told me after doing much research on it. I went to him because, I too felt it was fine for my child to do it if they were not intending the religious aspect of it. I was surprised at his answer. That said, for me personally, I am going to follow what he said. I really don't want to expose my child to something that is spiritually questionable.

Honestly, I'm not going to debate this with a bunch of strangers on the internet. I posted my opinion because this is actually an issue that I only recently learned about despite having a very roman catholic upbringing. The priest at my church is a young guy and very in touch with the parish and was also surprised how much he learned about the issue which, in turn he shared with the principals of the local catholic schools and the community at large. I was trying to shed light for people that might actually be interested. Whatever...I don't know why I bother on these boards...I should have learned my lesson by now...

Message edited 8/22/2013 5:36:32 PM.

Re: Yoga too religious for schools?

Posted by ElizaRags35

Posted by MrsDamonSalv7319

Posted by ElizaRags35

Posted by Otherme



i'm sorry but this thinking is completely ridiculous. It's exercise. They're not teaching children to pray or chant or even reach out to any spiritual anythings while doing yoga - they're doing a good thing in trying to get them to get off their asses and be healthy!


(and ftr, a ouija board IS a game, trust me. That's all i can say about the post above without probably coming across as offensive)

ITA

Yoga religious? What a ridiculous notion.

The Vatican and clergy also say gays are an abomination, no?

I respect everyone's difference of opinion, I'd just like to point out that the original article says nothing about Catholics, specifically, but Christians taking issue in general...that implies that other denominations of Christianity are taking issue with this too...and other Christians do not follow the Vatican. Also, the Vatican has NOT come out and banned yoga, only made statements about Catholics not getting caught up in the spiritual aspect of it.

A PP mentioned the Vatican & Clergy, which is why I mentioned it.

Yoga too religious for schools?

I don't like getting involved in the religious posts, but I just don't view this as religious. While a person may feel that it is religious, and does not want their child involved, that is their right as a parent. However, I 100% do not believe it should be banned in school... you're praising a higher power because you choose to, I don't believe one subconsciously prays to an unknown god because you're practicing yoga.

...?

.,?!

Message edited 9/27/2013 9:10:24 PM.

Re: Yoga too religious for schools?

Re: Yoga too religious for schools?

Re: Yoga too religious for schools?

I'm Catholic and I :gasp: practice yoga. I also celebrate Halloween which the Pope has declared ant-Christian. Many of my beliefs do not align perfectly with the Catholic Church and that is ok. If you do not place religious meaning on those poses I have a difficult time understanding how they can compromise your spirituality. I am sorry but that sounds a little absurd. Some people light candles for satanic purposes however, the mere act of lighting a candle does not make it satanic.