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http://todaynews.today.com/_news/2013/02/21/17047529-schools-sued-over-yoga-program-for-kids?lite&lite=obnetwork

My kids took Yoga at their school and there wasn't any religious context that I could see. It was just flexibility and breathing training.
The same could be said of Karate, Kung Fu, or Tai Chi classes taught in schools, but it's really getting out of control, I think if someone tried.
In my mind a means of learning about other cultures and ways of staying healthy are being put under attack here.

I find this hilarious, because in my Christian classes we took yoga as a way to relax(except when you have a giant belly, its more frustratings then relaxing.)

Read an article recently, dont think it was that one, where various schools in California had instituted yoga instruction 1-2 times per week... They removed most of the names us adults know (Sun Salutations, Downward Facing Dog, etc.) as the educators wished to keep it as what it was, relaxation and de-stressing for the kids. Some parents still felt threatened by this.


I think yoga as a whole is an excellent idea, it's actually a pretty damn good workout, depending on the type done, and is great for flexibility, etc.

Yoga can be as religious or secular as one wants. A person does not need to have read, or even ever heard of, the Yoga Sutras of Pantanjali to be able to enjoy it.

 Ahtman wrote:
Yoga can be as religious or secular as one wants. A person does not need to have read, or even ever heard of, the Yoga Sutras of Pantanjali to be able to enjoy it.

Of course man.... But, I'd also argue from the religious stand point, the parents who think their children will be brain-washed by doing that eastern hocus-pocus magic stuff, actually have their kids brainwashed by crazy crap like Spongebob, or Dora, or other nonsensical stuff on TV.

 Ensis Ferrae wrote:

 Ahtman wrote:
Yoga can be as religious or secular as one wants. A person does not need to have read, or even ever heard of, the Yoga Sutras of Pantanjali to be able to enjoy it.

Of course man.... But, I'd also argue from the religious stand point, the parents who think their children will be brain-washed by doing that eastern hocus-pocus magic stuff, actually have their kids brainwashed by crazy crap like Spongebob, or Dora, or other nonsensical stuff on TV.

Noted and exalted.

 hotsauceman1 wrote:
I find this hilarious, because in my Christian classes we took yoga as a way to relax(except when you have a giant belly, its more frustratings then relaxing.)

Yoga is for pussies. They need to be running around playing dodgeball or competitive arm chair generalship or something.

I guess the terrified plaintiffs are not aware that yoga was actually invented to capitalize on the English fitness craze at the turn of the 20th century. So they're basically fearful of a British-Indian calithenics program.

 Ensis Ferrae wrote:

 Ahtman wrote:
Yoga can be as religious or secular as one wants. A person does not need to have read, or even ever heard of, the Yoga Sutras of Pantanjali to be able to enjoy it.

Of course man.... But, I'd also argue from the religious stand point, the parents who think their children will be brain-washed by doing that eastern hocus-pocus magic stuff, actually have their kids brainwashed by crazy crap like Spongebob, or Dora, or other nonsensical stuff on TV.

Not really. The Jesus-freaks wprried about school manipulation are usually brainwashing their kids witj Creationist fables, megachurch sermons, and Kirk Cameron.

 SoloFalcon1138 wrote:

 Ensis Ferrae wrote:

 Ahtman wrote:
Yoga can be as religious or secular as one wants. A person does not need to have read, or even ever heard of, the Yoga Sutras of Pantanjali to be able to enjoy it.

Of course man.... But, I'd also argue from the religious stand point, the parents who think their children will be brain-washed by doing that eastern hocus-pocus magic stuff, actually have their kids brainwashed by crazy crap like Spongebob, or Dora, or other nonsensical stuff on TV.

Not really. The Jesus-freaks wprried about school manipulation are usually brainwashing their kids witj Creationist fables, megachurch sermons, and Kirk Cameron.

With all respect, please don't turn this into a Christian bash thread, especially if you don't know the plaintiff's religion, or if they even have one. Even if they are Christian, it has been noted earlier in this thread that Christian classes a poster attended used Yoga as stress relief.

 Frazzled wrote:

 hotsauceman1 wrote:
I find this hilarious, because in my Christian classes we took yoga as a way to relax(except when you have a giant belly, its more frustratings then relaxing.)

Yoga is for pussies. They need to be running around playing medicine ball dodgeball or competitive arm chair generalship or something.

Fixed that one for you Frazz

We play Dodgeball once with footballs and basketballs.

Relapse wrote:

 SoloFalcon1138 wrote:

 Ensis Ferrae wrote:

 Ahtman wrote:
Yoga can be as religious or secular as one wants. A person does not need to have read, or even ever heard of, the Yoga Sutras of Pantanjali to be able to enjoy it.

Of course man.... But, I'd also argue from the religious stand point, the parents who think their children will be brain-washed by doing that eastern hocus-pocus magic stuff, actually have their kids brainwashed by crazy crap like Spongebob, or Dora, or other nonsensical stuff on TV.

Not really. The Jesus-freaks wprried about school manipulation are usually brainwashing their kids witj Creationist fables, megachurch sermons, and Kirk Cameron.

With all respect, please don't turn this into a Christian bash thread, especially if you don't know the plaintiff's religion, or if they even have one. Even if they are Christian, it has been noted earlier in this thread that Christian classes a poster attended used Yoga as stress relief.

Agreed.

Relapse wrote:

 SoloFalcon1138 wrote:

 Ensis Ferrae wrote:

 Ahtman wrote:
Yoga can be as religious or secular as one wants. A person does not need to have read, or even ever heard of, the Yoga Sutras of Pantanjali to be able to enjoy it.

Of course man.... But, I'd also argue from the religious stand point, the parents who think their children will be brain-washed by doing that eastern hocus-pocus magic stuff, actually have their kids brainwashed by crazy crap like Spongebob, or Dora, or other nonsensical stuff on TV.

Not really. The Jesus-freaks wprried about school manipulation are usually brainwashing their kids witj Creationist fables, megachurch sermons, and Kirk Cameron.

With all respect, please don't turn this into a Christian bash thread

I don't think what he is saying is a Christian bashing as much as it is saying that the type of people that would flip out at yoga would most likely also not like Spongebob much either. Last I checked the worse elements of Christianity don't constitute nor represent the whole of Christianity.

 Ahtman wrote:

Relapse wrote:

 SoloFalcon1138 wrote:

 Ensis Ferrae wrote:

 Ahtman wrote:
Yoga can be as religious or secular as one wants. A person does not need to have read, or even ever heard of, the Yoga Sutras of Pantanjali to be able to enjoy it.

Of course man.... But, I'd also argue from the religious stand point, the parents who think their children will be brain-washed by doing that eastern hocus-pocus magic stuff, actually have their kids brainwashed by crazy crap like Spongebob, or Dora, or other nonsensical stuff on TV.

Not really. The Jesus-freaks wprried about school manipulation are usually brainwashing their kids witj Creationist fables, megachurch sermons, and Kirk Cameron.

With all respect, please don't turn this into a Christian bash thread

I don't think what he is saying is a Christian bashing as much as it is saying that the type of people that would flip out at yoga would most likely also not like Spongebob much either. Last I checked the worse elements of Christianity don't constitute nor represent the whole of Christianity.

When I see the term "christian fables" folded in with the term "Jesus freaks" on these forums, it's a forgone conclusion what is to follow if history is any guide.

If we could please make an effort not to offend vast swathes of people by making needless and somewhat careless comments about their faith this discussionwill run much smoother. Thank you.

 Ahtman wrote:

Relapse wrote:

 SoloFalcon1138 wrote:

 Ensis Ferrae wrote:

 Ahtman wrote:
Yoga can be as religious or secular as one wants. A person does not need to have read, or even ever heard of, the Yoga Sutras of Pantanjali to be able to enjoy it.

Of course man.... But, I'd also argue from the religious stand point, the parents who think their children will be brain-washed by doing that eastern hocus-pocus magic stuff, actually have their kids brainwashed by crazy crap like Spongebob, or Dora, or other nonsensical stuff on TV.

Not really. The Jesus-freaks wprried about school manipulation are usually brainwashing their kids witj Creationist fables, megachurch sermons, and Kirk Cameron.

With all respect, please don't turn this into a Christian bash thread

I don't think what he is saying is a Christian bashing as much as it is saying that the type of people that would flip out at yoga would most likely also not like Spongebob much either. Last I checked the worse elements of Christianity don't constitute nor represent the whole of Christianity.

Actually
1. They could have a case. This is California. Religion ist verbotten there.
2. The plaintiffs could just as easily be atheists.
3. This is also insane. Putting elementary school boys into Yoga is like some weird plot to insure every male child gets in trouble. Seriously. Let them play. Let them run around. Don't pen them in and get mad when they are fidgeting. Stupid man girl nonsense.

 Frazzled wrote:

3. This is also insane. Putting elementary school boys into Yoga is like some weird plot to insure every male child gets in trouble. Seriously. Let them play. Let them run around. Don't pen them in and get mad when they are fidgeting. Stupid man girl nonsense.

Nah, give them Sock'em Boppers...



...and let them go wild.

Sell tickets and popcorn.

 Frazzled wrote:

Actually
1. They could have a case. This is California. Religion ist verbotten there.
2. The plaintiffs could just as easily be atheists.
3. This is also insane. Putting elementary school boys into Yoga is like some weird plot to insure every male child gets in trouble. Seriously. Let them play. Let them run around. Don't pen them in and get mad when they are fidgeting. Stupid man girl nonsense.

IIRC, some of the schools that did the whole yoga thing, did it on top of regularly scheduled gym class, recess and other "physical" activities... that are... no longer required for some reason?

(never understand why we make phys. ed an elective now, and wonder why our kids are getting more and more tubby by the semester)

But it is odd that it's california where religion is bad, unless of course it is new age, eastern thought, or just plain crazy.

Phys ed is an elective now? The yoga is fine, though if we are talking about third grade really we are just giving a fancy name to stretching and breathing exercises, but I wouldn't replace PE with it. As an addendum, sure, but not as a replacement.

 Ahtman wrote:
Phys ed is an elective now?

I found another reason why america is so fat.

Anyway, just because the school is being sued doesn't mean the case is won, this is newsworthy if successful, not otherwise.

 juraigamer wrote:

 Ahtman wrote:
Phys ed is an elective now?

I found another reason why america is so fat.

Not if you actually have been in school within the past decade.

Physical Education/Healthful Living is classed as an elective--but that does not mean you can skip out on it. You are required to take it for at least one year(varies based on state requirements or school district but most are one year minimum) during your high school stint, and every year for middle school. It alternates between PE and Healthful Living--which is basically "Anatomy For Dummies" rolled in with "Sex Miseducation".

I wonder if this isn't just an opportunistic attempt at gold digging?

 Kanluwen wrote:
You are required to take it for at least one year

One whole year?!

 Ahtman wrote:

 Kanluwen wrote:
You are required to take it for at least one year

One whole year?!

Yup.

Every two weeks they swap you from PE to Healthful Living, and you have the same teacher.

In my school it was two years.
1 year is fixed(called freshman PE)
second year if your choice(dance, weight, sports)
Middle school it was required all years and Elementary it was once a week(and dodgeball at that).
I liked PE, funny things always happen. Like a teacher getting a shotput to the face, or the football coach(also weight trainer) getting cocky and trying to take on a four star general in a boxing match.

 hotsauceman1 wrote:
We play Dodgeball once with footballs and basketballs.

We used golf balls and bricks.

As for PE, it was required for grades 6-8 (middle school), and you had to have 2 years of it in High School (grades 9-12). That was in the early/mid 90s, though.

 hotsauceman1 wrote:
In my school it was two years.
1 year is fixed(called freshman PE)
second year if your choice(dance, weight, sports)
Middle school it was required all years and Elementary it was once a week(and dodgeball at that).
I liked PE, funny things always happen. Like a teacher getting a shotput to the face, or the football coach(also weight trainer) getting cocky and trying to take on a four star general in a boxing match.

In defense PE as it is taught in the US is the joke of jokes. During one semester, we had to sit in the bleachers during basketball season, so the basketball team could get in extra practice (illegal under UIL by the way).

That never happened to us in cali. It was sports all day. Only time we sat was the first two days because no one had clothes. And the occasional rainy day when the gym was under repair.

 Frazzled wrote:

 hotsauceman1 wrote:
In my school it was two years.
1 year is fixed(called freshman PE)
second year if your choice(dance, weight, sports)
Middle school it was required all years and Elementary it was once a week(and dodgeball at that).
I liked PE, funny things always happen. Like a teacher getting a shotput to the face, or the football coach(also weight trainer) getting cocky and trying to take on a four star general in a boxing match.

In defense PE as it is taught in the US is the joke of jokes. During one semester, we had to sit in the bleachers during basketball season, so the basketball team could get in extra practice (illegal under UIL by the way).

I grew up in farm country in Maine and Iowa with all the work that entails. PE classes had to go a long way to feel like any kind of a challenge.