The state of Alabama issued a ban on public schools practicing yoga back in 1993. Recently, lawmakers upheld the ban, citing a fear of "spreading and promoting Hinduism."
Eric Johnston, a legal adviser for the Alabama Citizens Action Program, said via Insider that because yoga is "rooted" in Hinduism, "it does not need to be taught to small children in public schools."
Alabama upholds a 1993 ban on yoga in school citing fears of the practice spreading Hinduism. (It also banned the use of the word "namaste.") Alabama is the only state with such a rule. #namaste https://t.co/RQ6QvGvQLg
— Jennifer Ouellette (@JenLucPiquant) April 1, 2021
Alabama State Rep. Jeremy Gray put forth the motion to retract the bill saying, "This whole notion that if you do yoga, you'll become Hindu — I've been doing yoga for 10 years and I go to church and I'm very much a Christian."
Alabama banned the practice of teaching yoga in public schools in 1993, and it is the only state to have such a ban.
