Fundamentalists against yoga in schools..

[Hikari]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16859368/wid/11915773?GT1=8921

SAN FRANCISCO - In Tara Guber's ideal world, American children would meditate in the lotus position and chant in Sanskrit before taking stressful standardized tests.

But when she asked a public elementary school in Aspen, Colo., to teach yoga in 2002, Christian fundamentalists and even some secular parents lobbied the school board. They argued that yoga's Hindu roots conflicted with Christian teachings and that using it in school might violate the separation of church and state.

Portrayed as a New Age nut out to brainwash young minds, Guber crafted a new curriculum that eliminated chanting and translated Sanskrit into kid-friendly English. Yogic panting became "bunny breathing," and "meditation" became "time in."

"I stripped every piece of anything that anyone could vaguely construe as spiritual or religious out of the program," Guber said.

Now, more than 100 schools in 26 states have adopted Guber's "Yoga Ed." program and more than 300 physical education instructors have been trained in it.

Countless other public and private schools from California to Massachusetts — including the Aspen school where Guber clashed with parents — are teaching yoga.

__________________________


I really think that christian fundamentalists should be the last people talking about brainwashing young children. These kids are getting in shape and are more focused as a result of this program. They are getting better grades and teachers are having less discipline problems..


I guess if children aren't recklessly throwing paper balls around a classroom it must be the work of the devil.. :rolleyes

Yoga=

 

[southerntierguy]

Without knowing any of the details of the program, it would be hard to comment one way or the other on whether it is a program that should be in the public schools.

I'm not trying to discredit this program. I'm just saying this article neither gives support for or against the program. It just is an informational piece --- now I know the program exists.

 

[Hikari]

Yeah but I think that anything that brings some sort of fitness to the growing number of obese children in our country is a good thing. What's wrong with meditation? Is a calm clear mind the pathway to eternal damnation to these people?

 

[RawHumor]

I like both aspects of this story.

Yoga, the way it's often taught, does have some religious implications.. thinking about your chi flowing, etc. etc.

The phsical aspects of it are good, however, IMO.

 

[southerntierguy]

Yeah but I think that anything that brings some sort of fitness to the growing number of obese children in our country is a good thing. What's wrong with meditation? Is a calm clear mind the pathway to eternal damnation to these people?

(a) I don't have a problem with physical fitness. But, obviously, this can be achieved by practices other than yoga. (b) I have no problem with meditation. And I suspect there are forms of Christian meditation that fundamentalists would love. I doubt it is just meditation per se they are up in arms about.

All I'm saying is this story gives you no real facts at all, other than saying the program exists. Thanks for the information.

And I'm sure you don't mean what you said. Practicing the Nazi goosestep one hour a day might lead to improved health.

 

[RcyMtnGrl]

Coincidentally, those fundamental Christians, are likely the ones lobbying for Christianity to be put back into public schools.

I think I read somewhere that there are still some parents not happy with the modified program b/c at its core it's still based on yoga, which has Hindu roots.

I guess, as a parent, I am of the belief that greater exposure to a wider variety of cultures and religions only furthers their education. If yoga is going to help their minds and bodies focus better in class, and learn more, all the better. If, in the process, they learn a respect and appreciation for another religion and culture, even better. But, I don't fear that educating them about other viewpoints will make them less likely to follow my own viewpoints. I don't expect, or desire, them to follow my ideals to the exact.

I think my cold medication is affecting my brain today. I have re-read that last paragraph, a few times, and it barely makes sense to me, and I wrote it.

 

[Hikari]

Coincidentally, those fundamental Christians, are likely the ones lobbying for Christianity to be put back into public schools.

I think I read somewhere that there are still some parents not happy with the modified program b/c at its core it's still based on yoga, which has Hindu roots.

I guess, as a parent, I am of the belief that greater exposure to a wider variety of cultures and religions only furthers their education. If yoga is going to help their minds and bodies focus better in class, and learn more, all the better. If, in the process, they learn a respect and appreciation for another religion and culture, even better. But, I don't fear that educating them about other viewpoints will make them less likely to follow my own viewpoints. I don't expect, or desire, them to follow my ideals to the exact.

I think my cold medication is affecting my brain today. I have re-read that last paragraph, a few times, and it barely makes sense to me, and I wrote it.

Really? It makes perfect sense to me.. You just outlined my point on this whole thing. As someone with ADD I have to say that it's really hard to go through and any bit of focus I can get helps. I wish they'd had those sorts of things for me at that age..

 

[SleepingWarrior]

The key question is if it is effective or not. The religious nature is secondary, to me at least. But I will say this holistic, new age shit being put into practice is idiotic, just as idiotic if they made kids recite the Bible in school.