After a 73-25 vote, Alabama’s House of Representatives could soon end a 1993 ban on yoga in public schools. School districts would then choose whether to offer it for K-12 students, focusing solely on poses and stretches. Chanting, mantras, and “namaste” would remain forbidden.
The ban aimed to keep Hindu influences out of classrooms, but supporters of its repeal, like Rep. Gray, highlight yoga’s physical and mental benefits for students. He also acknowledges concerns about the practice’s religious roots, allowing opt-out options and mandating English names for poses.
While the bill faces further Senate approval, it marks a significant step towards dismantling Alabama’s unique ban, which garnered renewed attention in 2018 due to its comparison of yoga to inappropriate activities. The move signifies evolving views on yoga’s role in education, even in traditionally conservative regions.
This article was originally published here:
https://apnews.com/article/alabama-end-yoga-ban-bill-public-schools-12ed67fcfa4bcafb805d362bbd4dcb33
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