Parents in Georgia are expressing their outrage over the incorporation of yoga in classrooms, claiming it conflicts with their Christian values. As advocates for exercise and stress relief in education, some Georgia schools have begun integrating yoga and mindfulness into daily routines, but a faction of parents from Kennesaw is staunchly opposed to it.
At Bullard Elementary, school administrators have faced backlash, prompting apologies after parents asserted that the yoga program was a form of “indoctrination” into “Eastern religion.” One concerned mother, Linda Thompson, shared her frustrations with 11ALIVE, stating, “Some children don’t even recite the pledge, yet they’re being subjected to ideologies that we don’t want in our schools.”
The uproar appears to have begun on social media, where anxious parents voiced their opinions. In a now-deleted Facebook post, dad Mark Johnson remarked, “We can’t pray in schools or practice Christianity, yet they’re allowing this Eastern mystical ideology with chants and crystals under the guise of meditation. It’s alarming—parents should be aware of what their children are learning without their consent.”
However, the reality at Bullard involves basic breathing exercises and stretches designed to promote focus and physical activity, not any form of spiritual awakening. Contrary to the claims, teachers are not using crystals or indoctrinating students through chants. The most controversial aspect of the practice is saying “namaste,” a respectful greeting in Hinduism that translates to “the light in me sees the light in you,” along with occasionally placing hands on the chest to find one’s “heart center.”
In response to parental concerns, Principal Sarah Adams organized a meeting for parents to express their worries. She also sent out an email clarifying the nature of yoga in classrooms, announced a ban on the term “namaste,” and encouraged parents to relax, emphasizing that no magical practices were being employed. She stated, “While yoga techniques have been integrated into classrooms for years, we recognize that some recent mindfulness practices have raised concerns. Moving forward, students will not use the word ‘namaste’ or place their hands on their heart center during these activities. Although teachers have never taught about crystals having healing abilities, we acknowledge that this belief exists, and we will ensure that nothing resembling this occurs in the future.”
While yoga has origins in Buddhist and Hindu traditions, the version practiced in the U.S. has become largely secular and is not intended to impose religious beliefs. Schools are simply trying to provide relief for students amid shortened recesses and the pressures of standardized testing.
The unfortunate reality is that a few anxious parents have turned what should be a calming aspect of the school day into another strict activity. Yoga is not dangerous, and “namaste” is far from offensive. Instead of stifling mindfulness in classrooms, parents should be encouraging practices that can help children manage stress and focus better in their studies.
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Summary:
In Georgia, some parents are protesting the use of yoga in schools, claiming it contradicts their Christian beliefs. Despite the school’s efforts to promote mindfulness and relaxation, fears about indoctrination led to the banning of the term “namaste” during yoga sessions. The article highlights the need for understanding yoga’s secular applications in education rather than viewing them through a lens of fear.