Since 1993, the Alabama State School Board has prohibited the practice of yoga in schools. This ban was introduced alongside restrictions on “hypnosis and meditation,” largely driven by conservative groups, as reported by the Montgomery Advisor. One mother even claimed that a relaxation tape her son brought home left him “visibly high.” (Unfortunately, we couldn’t track down the tape to verify her story).
Now, Alabama is reconsidering its yoga ban, with a new bill poised to allow yoga in K-12 schools, thanks to state lawmaker David Adams. The state’s House has already passed legislation to lift the ban with a vote of 73 to 25, according to The New York Times. Adams mentioned to The Washington Post that several House members expressed concerns after receiving emails about yoga’s ties to Hinduism.
What’s happening?
Yoga Ban Linked to Eastern Religions
Alabama’s yoga ban wasn’t established due to any belief that it would intoxicate students. Instead, right-wing organizations objected to its connection with Eastern religions, particularly Hinduism. Mark Redding, a legal consultant for the Alabama Citizens Action Coalition (ACAC), a religiously affiliated group with significant influence in the legislature, stated that yoga is “a crucial part of the Hindu faith” and should not be taught to young children in public schools.
According to Redding, people go to yoga to worship deities, not to improve their flexibility. ACAC asserts that teaching yoga is inherently linked to teaching Hinduism, which they view as a violation of the separation of church and state. They argue that yoga cannot be practiced as merely a form of physical exercise or mental wellness, as this is connected to “cancel culture.”
“You can’t disconnect the exercises from the spiritual meditation aspect. This is Hinduism, plain and simple,” said Dr. Lisa Johnson, Executive Director of ACAC.
Adams Optimistic About Prospects
“Most of the senators I’ve spoken with are supportive of the idea,” Adams told The New York Times. “Many of their wives practice yoga, so I think there’s a strong chance it’ll pass.” Apparently, many of their wives are embracing a more open approach to cultural practices.
Adams, who began practicing yoga as a college athlete and has continued for over seven years, believes it helps with “focus, breathing, and managing emotions like anger.” He also notes that yoga can improve flexibility and mobility, with studies indicating its effectiveness.
It seems that yoga does have tangible health benefits. Responding to ACAC’s arguments regarding cancel culture, he remarked, “It’s just exercise. We do it all the time at the gym. It’s not a big deal.”
Yoga Ban is Disturbingly Racist
Banning yoga due to its Eastern roots while appropriating it for Western practice is blatantly racist and dismissive. The yoga that might be practiced in Alabama schools is as authentic as a Western pop star’s rendition of the genre.
The current bill in Alabama, as noted by the Montgomery Advisor, prohibits chanting, mantras, mudras, mandalas, and even the term “namaste.” Schools can choose to ban it, teachers can opt out, and students can choose not to participate. The physical movements must have “explicitly English names,” as reported by The Washington Post.
So, if Alabama school districts don’t impose bans, teachers may simply ask students if they’d like to stretch and think positive thoughts. They’ve stripped yoga of any connection to its Indian and Hindu origins, reducing it to mere stretching. According to Al.com, it’s so Westernized that Adams claims kids are already doing it without actually labeling it as “yoga.”
At this point, the debate seems to be about semantics, as what’s being discussed is not truly yoga but a diluted version stripped of its cultural significance. Meanwhile, Alabama Statehouse Representative Tom Johnson has indicated that many local churches see no issue with the ban. “We incorporate many practices in schools, like Christmas trees and Easter bunnies,” he noted, which also have religious ties.
While removing Christmas trees is deemed a “war on Christmas,” Alabama is poised to enforce a ban on the word “namaste” in public schools. This situation illustrates a glaring instance of Christian white privilege, coming from a state known for its historical resistance to integration.
Kudos to Adams for pushing to overturn Alabama’s yoga ban, but perhaps the state could make a more concerted effort to address its underlying issues.
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Summary:
Alabama’s long-standing ban on yoga in schools, initially motivated by concerns over its ties to Eastern religions, is currently under reconsideration. Lawmakers, such as David Adams, advocate for the inclusion of yoga for its health benefits, despite opposition from groups like ACAC. The ongoing debate highlights issues of cultural appropriation and the intersection of religion and education in a state grappling with historical prejudices.
Keyphrase: Alabama yoga ban
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