Friday, September 28, 2018

US Schools Banning Yoga

US schools are increasingly banning yoga, on the grounds that this amounts to propagation of a 'non-Christian' belief system in the public education system:

https://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2018/09/why-schools-are-banning-yoga/570904/


Unfortunately, this is the logical consequence of attempts by some Indians to claim ownership of yoga as an exclusively Hindu practice (ie. 'take back yoga'). Having pushed for this religious linkage, it is now shrinking the exposure to Indian culture. Likewise, the article mentions that Sanskrit is also taking flak. Is this something Hindus want to see?? Or is it good to see Sanskrit being rejected by others, so that Hindus can "take it back" for their own exclusive usage? You don't see this being done with Kung Fu, or Tai Chi, Karate, etc - but these are not subject to claims of exclusive ownership, even if their origins are recognized.

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