Parents protested that yoga violates religious freedom.
By Raif Karerat
WASHINGTON, DC: A California appeals court has ruled that yoga classes taught at an elementary school near San Diego does not violate the students’ right to religious freedom.
Litigation ensued after yoga was introduced in 2011 as part of the schools physical education curriculum and the parents of two students complained the activity infringed on their children’s constitutional rights.
Stephen and Jennifer Sedlock had initiated the lawsuit by claiming yoga promoted Hinduism and inhibited Christianity. According to the Associated Press, they were disappointed with the latest ruling and are considering their options.
“No other court in the past 50 years has allowed public school officials to lead children in formal religious rituals like the Hindu liturgy of praying to, bowing to, and worshipping the sun god,” attorney Dean Broyles said in a statement.
Paul V. Carelli IV, a lawyer for the district, told AP there were no rituals occurring in the classroom and no one was worshipping the sun or leading Hindu rites. The district said the practice is taught in a secular way to promote strength, flexibility and balance.
“We conclude that the program is secular in purpose, does not have the primary effect of advancing or inhibiting religion and does not excessively entangle the school district in religion,” Justice Cynthia Aaron wrote. “The district’s yoga program does not violate our state constitution.”
Yoga is now taught in schools across the nation, but the Encinitas district is believed to be the first with full-time yoga instructors. Per the Press Trust of India, the district’s 5,600 students are provided with twice-weekly, 30-minute classes thanks to a grant from a nonprofit group that promotes Ashtanga yoga.