The evil threat of Yoga

[Trunkage]

So, I learnt something today. Alabama banned Yoga in 1993, due to it influencing the children in the evils of Hinduism

Alabama to keep ban on school yoga as conservatives say they fear rise in Hinduism

Bill to lift ban on yoga in Alabama schools – which would still prohibit ‘namaste’ greetings and chanting – will be brought back for another try after a vote ended in a tie

www.independent.co.uk

Anyway, so today Alabama is trying to unban this. Which is great... expect the conservatives still have the same line. Using words like Namaste or the traditional words for Yoga position will corrupt those youngster and create Hindus. Thus, school might be able to do the moves of Yoga but have to rename everything

I don't even understand how this law is at all constitutional, but then I remember 'In God We Trust' is everywhere and just shake my head

 

[Revnak]

If this is specifically a banning of using the (arguably religious) terms by a public employee in a school setting, I can kinda get it on the weird technicalities of US separation of Church and State, but otherwise I don’t get it.

Edit: wait, the bill explicitly keeps all of that banned. This is reliant on the idea that stretching is an explicitly religious exercise. This is hilarious.

 

[SilentPony]

Its Alabama. Sorry for the poor bastards that are born there, but its been a failed state since the Civil War. Its the South's South. I'm amazed they even have schools, let alone allow girls to go to them.

 

[BrawlMan]

Looks like someone needs to show them the true ways of Yoga!​

 

[Hawki]

Not that I'm defending the ban in any way, but is yoga an activity you'd expect to find in schools regardless?

 

[SilentPony]

Not that I'm defending the ban in any way, but is yoga an activity you'd expect to find in schools regardless?

It was my understanding there were like Yoga clubs, girls/boys arrive at school early and can do a little yoga before school in the gym. But that's heresy according to the intellectuals in Alabama, so...

I mean I joke, but I got in trouble at my highschool for practicing black magic because I was reading a Warhammer 40k: Chaos Space Marine codex in the cafeteria, so who knows how crazy the deep south is.

 

[Avnger]

Not that I'm defending the ban in any way, but is yoga an activity you'd expect to find in schools regardless?

It's also been banned from physical education (aka gym) classes. At least when I was in grade/high school, our PE classes would rotate units. For 3 weeks we'd do ultimate frisbee; then we'd do weight lifting for 3 weeks; then we'd do volleyball for 3 weeks, etc. Presumably, Alabama lawmakers were terrified of yoga being one of those taught units because it might corrupt the youths. For the record, I personally had to take units such as aerobics and ballroom dancing, so yoga wouldn't be crazy at all. That wasn't in Alabama though.

 

[dreng3]

Not that I'm defending the ban in any way, but is yoga an activity you'd expect to find in schools regardless?

Decent for stretching and fairly well developed because of the lengthy history. I could see myself incorporating yoga in PE if I knew anything about yoga or taught PE.

 

[Jarrito3002]

Not that I'm defending the ban in any way, but is yoga an activity you'd expect to find in schools regardless?

It should be. Like streching and breathing come with great mental and physical benefits. Like we don't have to do master yogi advanced stuff but beginner routines would be perfect.

 

[Trunkage]

Not that I'm defending the ban in any way, but is yoga an activity you'd expect to find in schools regardless?

They are doing it more in primary schools at least in Brisbane. They're actually tending to do more of the mediation than the yoga

 

[The Rogue Wolf]

Maybe yoga would have more support there if it was rebranded as "freedom exercises" to improve your aim with your rifle.

 

[SilentPony]

Maybe yoga would have more support there if it was rebranded as "freedom exercises" to improve your aim with your rifle.

Just rename the yoga poses after guns. Downward dog? Colt Ar15. Lotus Pose? BAR. Lunge? Maxim Defense PDX 300 AAC Blackout

 

[CM156]

Maybe yoga would have more support there if it was rebranded as "freedom exercises" to improve your aim with your rifle.

I mean, I'd sign up for that class.

 

[Bob_McMillan]

Is it not no longer politically correct to throw around "namaste"? My org in college got into trouble once for using it in a publicity campaign.

But yes, yoga is indeed evil. Man should not be made to contort their bodies in such a manner.

 

[Trunkage]

Is it not no longer politically correct to throw around "namaste"? My org in college got into trouble once for using it in a publicity campaign.

That... sounds very dumb. Namaste is used frequently here without complaints

 

[Bob_McMillan]

That... sounds very dumb. Namaste is used frequently here without complaints

The complaint came from an Indian person, so we weren't exactly in a position to argue. Felt really bad for all our digital artists, they had to redo all their branding.

Looking at some articles online, I'm guessing it has more to do with people making jokes with it ("namaste-in-bed" for example). It does have some religious meaning to people, as does yoga in general. I can totally understand people getting miffed that their beliefs are being co-opted by western folk who capitalize on it's "exotic"ness to sell their stupid workout routines or scented candles or whatever. Cultural appropriation and all that.

 

[happyninja42]

If this is specifically a banning of using the (arguably religious) terms by a public employee in a school setting, I can kinda get it on the weird technicalities of US separation of Church and State, but otherwise I don’t get it.

Edit: wait, the bill explicitly keeps all of that banned. This is reliant on the idea that stretching is an explicitly religious exercise. This is hilarious.

The part about the religious shit is doubly frustrating, because they have after school programs that are nothing more than christian recruitment programs, and the schools are just fine with that shit going on. I saw some of the propaganda they sent one of my god daughters home with, and it was fucking ridiculous. Despite it being in clear violation of the separation of church and state. But christians have never felt that rule applies to THEM, it's only OTHER religions where that rule applies.

 

[Saint of M]

Next you'll tell me Mormons are trying to rebel, Video Games Cause violence, Dungeons and Dragons leads you to the Devil's influence, and Batman comic books promote homosexuality.

Yes these are all things people believed in, and in the case of D&D and video games still do.


Frankly I would be the smart ass that would try to get around this by doing scripture verses during these same exercises and rename them after well known Biblical Figures (Jonah being Swallowed by Whale; Marry Rides a Donkey; Pharos's Vision; Danial's Lion's den). See what happens

 

[Dalisclock]

So, I learnt something today. Alabama banned Yoga in 1993, due to it influencing the children in the evils of Hinduism

Alabama to keep ban on school yoga as conservatives say they fear rise in Hinduism

Bill to lift ban on yoga in Alabama schools – which would still prohibit ‘namaste’ greetings and chanting – will be brought back for another try after a vote ended in a tie

www.independent.co.uk

Anyway, so today Alabama is trying to unban this. Which is great... expect the conservatives still have the same line. Using words like Namaste or the traditional words for Yoga position will corrupt those youngster and create Hindus. Thus, school might be able to do the moves of Yoga but have to rename everything

I don't even understand how this law is at all constitutional, but then I remember 'In God We Trust' is everywhere and just shake my head

Some needs to tell them that Hindus aren't Muslims, so maybe they'll be less terrified of it.

Also, that Cancel Culture is Bad now, per conservatives, so we need to stop canceling/banning things, also per conservatives. We can start with Yoga and move up from there.

 

[CM156]

Some needs to tell them that Hindus aren't Muslims, so maybe they'll be less terrified of it.

You're right, but many would consider Hindus to be "Pagans" which is just as bad to them, if not worse.

Also, that Cancel Culture is Bad now, per conservatives, so we need to stop canceling/banning things, also per conservatives. We can start with Yoga and move up from there.

Fine with me.