Yoga in Schools vs. Ashram-State Separation

by Dr. Laurette Willis, Founder of PraiseMoves Fitness Ministry

Whatever happened to Separation of Ashram and State?

$500,000 from Guruji Jois' Ashtanga Foundation speaks.

“Guruji” Jois of the Ashtanga Foundation funding yoga in schools.

Yoga in Schools: I am honored to be able to share with you an eyewitness account of the ruling that went forth today in the case against yoga in the Encinitas Union School District in San Diego County, CA. For understandable reasons, this concerned parent preferred to remain anonymous.

To read the background on this case, please see my posts: Parents May Sue over Yoga in Schools and CA School District Sued over Yoga

Encinitas Judge Ruled in Favor of Yoga over Suit brought by Parents

Just think–when Johnny and Susie grow up and are invited to the Ashtanga yoga class, or see the book on Kundalini yoga, they will associate it with the harmless little yoga classes they took as their PE classes in school.

Be aware that the yoga agenda is to be in EVERY public school in America – not just these nine (and it already is in many schools from rural West Virginia to metropolitan New York City to well, Encinitas).

“Efforts to separate yoga from its spiritual center reveal ignorance of the goal of yoga.” (Professor Subhas Tuwari, Hindu University of America, HinduismToday.com – 9/1-3/09)

“Criss-Cross Applesauce”

Do you detect a note of sarcasm and belittlement in the following opening words to Sophia Rosenbaum's article from today's NBC News?

“A San Diego judge ruled Monday that yoga poses like downward dog and ‘criss-cross applesauce' are not religious, allowing a yoga program to continue in a Southern California school district.”

She goes on to share: “Yoga instructor Jennifer Nicole Brown, who demonstrated some of the yoga positions in court, said when parents complained about their children chanting, she removed it from the lesson.”

Isn't that good that for now anyway, chanting is not a part of the Physical Education class?

An Anonymous Eyewitness Account of the Trial

I have honored this eyewitness' desire to remain anonymous. This person has followed the trial since its beginning.

“The judge (who practices Bikram yoga!) attacked the character of the people who started the lawsuit, speculating that they were leaders of a ‘conspiracy theory.' He threw every single parent testimony out one-by-one, and even threw out the expert by stating she was not credible as ‘she saw everything religious.’

“He admitted yoga was religious in nature but said that wasn't the case here. Huh?

“It was surreal watching him wrap 10 non-truth ‘facts’ around his ruling. For example, all teachers were Jois-certified, a fact affirmed by the superintendent, one of the teachers, the FAQ, and even the grant required it – but during the last testimony of the Asst. Superintendent, he claimed they weren’t all Jois-certified and the judge took his word over all the other testimonies.

“Unbelievable, unless you know the spiritual warfare around this case. People can be blind-folded sometimes (spiritually speaking).

“I trust God has a plan and this is either part of it, or this is not the battle He wanted to win (We KNOW the war is already won!—Laurette).

“One of the people involved said, ‘I know we will be persecuted. This was supposed to have been done. It’s not easy to be ridiculed by the public or to get the nasty emails, but Jesus hung on a cross for me so this is nothing. Amen.’”

A Silly Parallel ~ Genuflecting Exercises in School???

Teacher: “Come, children! Let’s do our Christ-o-Flex exercises! Bring your left foot back. Bend both knees slightly. Now bring the fingers of your right hand to your forehead, and now to your heart, and now to each shoulder.

Again, hold. Breathe deeply and relax. Does anyone want a little water for their fingers? It really cools the forehead when you do this.”

Student: “Um, Mrs. Winkie? Isn’t that genuflecting like they do in the Catholic Church—using ‘holy water’? I’m Muslim. My parents don’t let me make the sign of the cross on my body.”

Teacher: “Oh, come now! Don’t be paranoid! These are just exercises!!! Okay, everyone! Off to the pool for our Bapti-dunk class. It’s sooooo relaxing and really has cut down on bullying.”

We would never allow such foolishness, of course, but we can see the parallel when one considers that to Hindus, yoga is very much a part of their religion.

How about a yoga class which promises to be completely devoid of all religious aspects? Well, do they call it “yoga”? Why is it not just called “Stretch and Tone” class or something similar?

A little deception, please.

NBC News' Rosenbaum writes: “The foundation’s website says it is looking to promote wellness, health, and achievement for youth, especially those in under-served communities.”

Yes. That is how “Guruji” Jois' website looks NOW, but for an eye-opener, take a look at how the website looked last October when I took this screenshot (click on the image to enlarge).

The light green lettering reads:

“Founded 2008, in loving dedication to Guruji, Sri Krishna Pattabhi Jois, whose Asthanga Yoga teachings have catalyzed a worldwide revival of yoga.” 

Page identifier–“About Jois: Ashtanga Yoga in the Tradition of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois (Guruji)”

“Guruji” means “teacher,” and more closely “beloved teacher.”

Interestingly, this page is no longer visible anywhere associated with Jois Foundation (except on the PraiseMoves website here: Yoga in Schools).

Are You Yoking?

Think yoga is a good idea in public schools? Stretching is great – so why not just call them “Stretching Classes”?

“There is no physical yoga and spiritual yoga.  If it is exclusively physical, it won’t be yoga.  Yoga is dealing with the entirety; it is a union.” – Prashant Iyengar, son of B.K.S Iyengar

Yoga means “union” or more correctly “yoke” in Sanskrit. But yoked to what…or to whom?

What is the goal of yoga? 

Patanjali (first century B.C. compiler of the Yoga Sutras) describes the goal of Yoga as chitta-vritti-nirodha or “the cessation of mental fluctuations” (as in “empty the mind,” which I used to hear in my yoga classes and taught as a yoga instructor when I was a New Ager, ages 7 to 29).

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…” (Romans 12:2). We are transformed by FILLING our minds on the Word of the Living God from the Bible, not by “emptying” our minds.

Subduing the mind is a core concept also found in Hinduism’s Bhagavad Gita: “Thus always absorbing one’s self in yoga, the yogi, whose mind is subdued, achieves peace that culminates in the highest state of Nirvana, which rests in me [Lord Krishna/Brahman/Supreme Reality].”

It's a Different Yoke

Jesus the true Prince of Peace said, “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:29-30).

To discover the “Lord of Yoga” and other disturbing truths which prove yoga is so much more than “just exercise,” please see my comprehensive article with scriptural references, quotes from Hindus and Christian apologists here: “Why a Christian ALTERNATIVE to Yoga?“

Yoga in your public school?

Is YOGA in your school? Are you concerned that yoga is indeed “more than just exercise”? Do you believe in “Separation of Ashram-and-State” (likewise Temple-and-State, Church-and-State, etc.)? 

Get the FACTS about yoga and present them to your School Principal, Superintendent, Curriculum Director, Parent-Teacher Organization — anyone who will listen to you.

Say “NO” to Yoga in Schools. If you would like information about a secular alternative which has been adopted by public schools throughout the US and Canada since 2006, take a look at the PowerMoves Kids Character Education-and-Fitness Program, whose slogan is “Winning the War Against Childhood Obesity — with CHARACTER.” (www.PowerMovesKids.com).

Pray that those things which lie in darkness are being revealed–all to the glory of God. He is faithful and true.

Yoga-in-Schools Case Winner Changes Name!

“Guruji” Jois Ashtanga Yoga Foundation HAS CHANGED ITS NAME!

Now it's the Sonima Foundation – after its founders, Sonia Jones (wife of billionaire hedge fund manager Paul Tudor Jones II), and friend Salima Ruffin, to reflect its broader mission.

“There was an allegation that we are a religious organization,” said Ruffin. “Nothing could be further from the truth. The primary interest is health and wellness for children.”

Sonia Jones with a portrait of “Guruji” Jois, watching over (in a non-religious way, of course).

Tied up with a neat little bow? No. See 2 Corinthians 2:11.

Excerpts taken from “Yoga poses no risk to church-state separation, says judge,” NBC News.com.

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