Oh Please, REALLY?!

So as my first blog I had expected to do a quick intro and explanation on why, where, how so and the like. But then as I was surfing the web this morning I ran across an article that literally blew my mind. Oh yeah it can happen. I've posted the link below.



http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27008935/?GT1=43001



But the recap is this:



There is a school district in NY where a couple of teachers have been using yoga to help their students focus and relax before testing. Now this is a great and innovative idea. I personally love yoga. The girls love yoga, I can even get Jim to do it once in awhile. We all find it relaxing and it's a great workout. So this should be a good thing, right?



Well, nothing good can happen without serious repercussions. So here it is:



Parents and religious leaders are complaining because teaching the children yoga "violates the boundaries between church and state." Yup, that's what they believe. Because yoga is part of the Hindu belief system the children cannot possibly learn yoga without being indoctrinated into the Hindu belief. They are not opposed to the benefits, "they understand the benefits." The just oppose the philosophy. I can't even write this without shaking my head.



So. . .they understand the benefits. Benefits such as, the children are relaxed and getting some physical activity while being introduced to ways to solve their problems and remain calm without resorting to things like, I don't know, drugs and alcohol. Also, since one of these classrooms was special ed, I would think the benefits would be twofold in that instance. I have spent a small amount of time in a special ed classroom and I can tell you those children need something to help focus their attention. But this is not mentioned by the complainants. Only the vague statement about understanding the benefits. And then they go on espousing this silliness about the religious aspects of yoga.



Now, don't get me wrong I know that yoga is part of the Hindu belief system. I don't know how and I don't know why. I don't know the history or the details and guess what--I DON'T NEED TO. As I previously stated I love yoga. My family does yoga. I've taken yoga classes. Even Hatha yoga classes which is what was being used in the classrooms (of the 100s of types of yoga). And the only reason I know that yoga is part of the religious belief system of Hinduism is because I had a really great History of Religion prof at EMU. (I would know the history and details if I had paid more attention in class, but that is my problem not the prof's.) Otherwise, nope, no info on that. I am pretty sure that neither of my children could tell you what Hinduism is. Josie would laugh because it would sound like a funny word to her. So, since I know and have now shared with you that yoga can be taught without the religious aspects being incorporated--I want to know what the school board is going to do to stop this from happening.



Oh, yeah, that's right. . . NOTHING. At least that is the impression I got from the article. They made a weak attempt at backing the teachers (correct me if you read it differently) but overall they don't seem to be fighting the parents or religious leader from the community. And now is the time to tell you that this is not the first district to cave to this stupidity. There is a list of other districts that have also caved to this stupidity.



And why? Why would they not encourage this? Why not stand up to the parents? To the religious leaders that are violating the separation of church and state themselves by interfering and seem to be only concerned that they may just be losing some customers, why not say "shut the hell up"? No, really, I want to know WHY?