In a bid to help children manage stress and stay active, some schools in Georgia have introduced yoga and mindfulness into their routines. However, a group of parents in Kennesaw is pushing back, claiming that this practice contradicts their Christian values.
At Bullard Elementary, administrators faced backlash after parents expressed concerns that yoga was promoting “Eastern religion.” Parent Lisa Thompson shared her thoughts with local news, stating, “We’re okay with kids learning about exercise, but this feels like it’s pushing an ideology on them.”
The controversy appears to have ignited through social media, with one father, Mark Johnson, expressing alarm in a now-deleted post: “We can’t pray in schools or teach our kids about Christianity, yet they are allowing this mystical practice with chants and crystals. It’s alarming what kids might be exposed to without parental consent.”
In reality, the yoga sessions at Bullard involve basic breathing exercises and gentle stretches aimed at enhancing focus and promoting physical activity throughout the day. There’s no hypnosis or magical stones involved – the most controversial act is saying “namaste,” a respectful greeting in Hinduism meaning, “the light in me sees the light in you.”
To address parental concerns, Principal Linda Carter organized a meeting for parents to express their views. She also clarified in an email that while yoga has been part of their wellness initiatives, the term “namaste” would no longer be used, and they wouldn’t encourage students to find their “heart center.” She reassured parents: “Our goal has always been to provide stress-relief techniques without any associations that some may find objectionable.”
Though yoga does have origins in Eastern traditions, its modern practice in schools across the U.S. is not about religious indoctrination. It’s simply a tool for helping children unwind amid a challenging academic environment filled with standardized testing and structured schedules.
It’s unfortunate that a few concerned parents are turning a beneficial aspect of the school day into another source of tension. Yoga is not dangerous, nor is it a “mystical religion,” and “namaste” is simply a word of respect. There are many things in life worth taking a stand for, but mindfulness practices in schools shouldn’t be one of them.
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In summary, a Georgia school’s yoga program has come under fire from parents who believe it contradicts their beliefs. Despite the controversy, yoga is a beneficial practice for students, helping them manage stress and stay active, and it is unfortunate that the practice has been misunderstood.