Since 1993, the Alabama State School Board has prohibited yoga in schools. This ban was enacted alongside restrictions on “hypnosis and meditation,” driven primarily by conservative groups, as reported by the Montgomery Observer. One mother even claimed that a relaxation tape her child brought home made him appear “visibly high,” although attempts to verify her claims have been unsuccessful.
Now, Alabama is reconsidering its yoga ban, with a new bill, introduced by state lawmaker Jake Harrison, poised to pass in the Senate. The House has already approved the measure to lift the ban with a vote of 73 to 25, according to The New York Times. Harrison noted that many House members received numerous emails expressing concerns about yoga’s ties to Hinduism.
Yoga Ban Tied to Eastern Religions
Alabama’s 1993 yoga ban was not due to concerns about kids getting high; it was rooted in objections to yoga’s connections with Eastern religions, particularly Hinduism. Mark Reynolds, a legal advisor for the Alabama Citizens Action Coalition, a religiously affiliated group with significant influence in the legislature, told The New York Times that yoga is “an integral part of the Hindu faith,” and therefore should not be taught to young children in public schools.
Reynolds argued that participating in yoga is akin to worshiping deities like Kali Ma, the goddess of time, creation, and destruction, rather than simply enhancing flexibility. ALCAP maintains that teaching yoga is inseparable from teaching Hinduism and violates the principle of separation between church and state. Moreover, they argue that yoga cannot merely be a form of exercise due to its supposed ties to “cancel culture.”
“You can’t separate the exercises from the religious meditation aspect of it,” stated Dr. Tom Richards, Executive Director of ALCAP.
Harrison Optimistic About Progress
“I’ve spoken to most of the senators, and they seem receptive,” Harrison told The New York Times. “Many of their wives practice yoga, so I believe it has a strong chance of passing.” It appears that some legislators’ spouses are embracing the practice, suggesting a shift in perspective regarding yoga.
Harrison, who began practicing yoga during his college football days and has continued for over seven years, emphasizes its benefits for concentration, breathing, and emotional regulation. “Yoga is a great tool for kids, especially athletes who want to improve their flexibility and mobility,” he added. Research supports the health advantages of yoga, and Harrison dismisses ALCAP’s concerns as unfounded, asserting, “It’s just exercise. We do it all the time in the gym; it’s not a big deal.”
A Question of Racial Sensitivity
Banning yoga due to its Eastern origins while appropriating its practices for a Western audience appears to be racially insensitive. The form of yoga proposed in Alabama schools is stripped of its authentic roots, resembling a watered-down version that loses its significance.
The current Alabama bill prohibits chanting, mantras, mudras, mandalas, and even the term “namaste.” Teachers can opt out, and students can choose to abstain, while moves must have “explicitly English names.” As a result, what remains is merely stretching and mindfulness exercises, devoid of their original cultural context. Harrison argues that, in essence, Alabama kids are already practicing these movements without calling them “yoga.”
This situation highlights a broader issue of cultural appropriation, as Alabama’s legislature reduces yoga to a series of exercises stripped of its meaningful elements, reflecting a misguided and evangelical Christian agenda. Representative Tom Lewis mentioned that many local churches see no conflict with this approach, pointing out that other religious symbols, like Christmas trees, are also present in schools.
While it’s commendable that Harrison is working to overturn the yoga ban, the state still has a long way to go in addressing its underlying issues.
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To read more about related topics, consider exploring these links:
- How to Incorporate Yoga into Your Routine
- The Benefits of Mindfulness Practices
- Understanding Cultural Appropriation
- Finding Balance in Life Through Exercise
- Yoga for Beginners: Getting Started
Summary
Alabama’s ongoing debate over the yoga ban reflects a struggle to separate cultural practices from religious beliefs. Despite the state’s historical objections tied to Eastern religions, there is momentum toward allowing yoga in schools, driven by legislators who recognize its benefits. However, the proposed changes risk further cultural appropriation, transforming yoga into a simplified version that lacks its true essence.