NationStates Jolt Archive

A school anti-obesity program that includes yoga is being slammed by Christian parents. They claim that yoga is a religion and that it doesn't belong in schools. Also they claim that it creates an opening in their children that the devil will try to fill with his big, throbbing, black evil because he's not a gentleman.

"There's God and there's the devil, and the devil's not a gentleman. If you give him any kind of an opening, he will take that."http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2007/01/09/bc-yoga.html?ref=rss

I don't see how one can call yoga a religion. It's just a bunch of stretching exercises.

A school anti-obesity program that includes yoga is being slammed by Christian parents. They claim that yoga is a religion and that it doesn't belong in schools. Also they claim that it creates an opening in their children that the devil will try to fill with his big, throbbing, black evil because he's not a gentleman.
I bet he won't even call the next day.

I don't see how one can call yoga a religion. It's just a bunch of stretching exercises.
I don't know, some of the people I know that do Yoga are pretty fanatical about it.

there is Yoga, and there is Yoga (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoga)

meaning there are the stretches with funny names, and then there are the stretches with funny names and a weird philosophy.

those people that say "Yoga changed my life" aren't just talking about the stretchy kind.

oh, and if they are battling obesity why not just have the kids run laps? that's what they did when I was in school.

I don't know, some of the people I know that do Yoga are pretty fanatical about it.

People can get fanatical about anything

Yoga: Another diabolical plot to destroy Xtianity. Damn, can't any of the Secret Order keep a damn secret?

Silly fools. We all know tai chi is the one that's out to destroy christianity, Yoga is for destroying judaism.

Wait, I wasn't supposed to reveal that part of the plan yet. Jim! Deploy the mecha to invade Washington, D.C., we need a distraction!

Oh, I'm pretty sure the local Christians in the area just got bored, and decided to go on a tirade because there wasn't anything worthwhile on television.
Yoga has been around for as long as I can recall, back to when I'd see a lady in her 60's doing Yoga instructions on the Public Broadcasting channel, and just now it's being hit on as satanic?
Bored Christians in large groups, dangerous mix.

For the record, I'm also christian, in case that was ever put into doubt.

In the West, the vast majority of people who do yoga do it exclusively for the fitness aspects like the stretching and breathing exercises. Millions of Christians do yoga without converting to Hinduism, it would be like saying they don't want their kids to do karate because they don't want them to become Shinto.

That woman is obviously either a fundamentalist nutcase or an uneducated moron.

-

Oh, and would asking for a source be too much?

Silly fools. We all know tai chi is the one that's out to destroy christianity, Yoga is for destroying judaism.

Wait, I wasn't supposed to reveal that part of the plan yet. Jim! Deploy the mecha to invade Washington, D.C., we need a distraction!

The mecha are in the shop.

You, however, are to report to torture facility number 9. What? Thats out of service too? Methinks I need new conspirators.

Don't do yoga or the devil will penetrate your opening.

That's why I quit doing aerobics with Richard Simmons.

Oh, and would asking for a source be too much?

Sorry.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2007/01/09/bc-yoga.html?ref=rss

well I think they are pretty stupid if they say that. i mean yoga is fucking exersices so wtf?:confused:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20070110.BCYOGA10/TPStory/National

And a link for those who wish to wax factual.

Old teachers + tight spandex + camel toe = evil

Old teachers + tight spandex + camel toe = evil

Dear god I didn't need that visual! Why do type things we can't un-read?!

I prefer my factual without the fanatical. Or with two lumps of sugar. Whichever you have.

Sorry.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2007/01/09/bc-yoga.html?ref=rss

I must admit I'm shocked this is coming from Canada.

My wife is happy that this isn't happening in the United States, for once. It was the only thing that calmed her down.

A school anti-obesity program that includes yoga is being slammed by Christian parents. They claim that yoga is a religion and that it doesn't belong in schools. Also they claim that it creates an opening in their children that the devil will try to fill with his big, throbbing, black evil because he's not a gentleman.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2007/01/09/bc-yoga.html?ref=rss

I don't see how one can call yoga a religion. It's just a bunch of stretching exercises.

When I was a teen agre, some, ohhh lets say a while back, I remember reading a report from the States. Some fruity Christian group had compiled a list of 100 things garenteed to lead you to Satan . yep we had all of the regular, you know, rock music, role playing games, but right up the top there was, much to my supprise, the carebears.

The Carebears?

So I read further and found the reason.

What was it, well it was becuase the carebears, looked to each other to solve their problems and not to God, and they used magic to help each other.

I knew then that this particular Christian group where as fruity as I thought.


On a side note, hehe try telling some Hindus, that yoga is just a streaching excersise.

Old teachers + tight spandex + camel toe = evil

The devil is now in the corner vomiting, and I am going to gouge my eyes out.

Silly fools. We all know tai chi is the one that's out to destroy christianity, Yoga is for destroying judaism.

Wait, I wasn't supposed to reveal that part of the plan yet. Jim! Deploy the mecha to invade Washington, D.C., we need a distraction!

^ post of the day :)

To be somewhat fair, one of the mothers questioning it does have somewhat of a point:

"Yoga isn't just a stretch," she said. "It's an ancient Hindu religion that has been practised for a few thousand years. There's a strong spiritual belief which accompanies these stretches or poses."

Mrs. Brears said she finds it offensive that Christ has been taken out of Christmas concerts and no one is allowed to say prayers in schools. Yet yoga teaches reincarnation and being in a trance-like state.

"If this isn't spirituality or a religion then I am really confused as to what it is," she said. "Each yoga posture is supposed to represent something spiritual."

Mind you, these concerns are not exactly valid when we look closer at the situation:

"Yoga is not a religion. It's a program that teachers can implement to keep kids moving throughout the day. It may be a 10-minute activity. Children don't have to participate in the program and it's important that parents don't believe we're teaching this as a religion," Ms. Miller (Sue Ellen Miller, superintendent for the school district of Quesnel) said.

Ms. Bond, the Education Minister, said no aspect of the yoga poses form part of the school curriculum, and are strictly optional.

"It's one of a multitude of activities that an individual can choose to participate in," Ms. Bond said, adding that the issue has not been raised by any other parent.

"Yoga is not a religion. It's a program that teachers can implement to keep kids moving throughout the day. It may be a 10-minute activity. Children don't have to participate in the program and it's important that parents don't believe we're teaching this as a religion," Ms. Miller said.

Yoga is a religion, stretching isn't. and doesn't this sound like the "prayer in schools" people's justification?

there is Yoga, and there is Yoga (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoga)

meaning there are the stretches with funny names, and then there are the stretches with funny names and a weird philosophy.

those people that say "Yoga changed my life" aren't just talking about the stretchy kind.

oh, and if they are battling obesity why not just have the kids run laps? that's what they did when I was in school.

Because obesity damages the joints, and running laps damages the joints. If you're dealing with obese kids, excercises like Yoga are a lot more advisable than running laps.

Because obesity damages the joints, and running laps damages the joints. If you're dealing with obese kids, excercises like Yoga are a lot more advisable than running laps.

why don't they just call it stretching though, I am sure that it would avoid a lot of controversy.

why don't they just call it stretching though, I am sure that it would avoid a lot of controversy.

Perhaps or maybe people would become upset that racks have been intrioduced into schools?

I guess that explains the origin of goatse...

Even so, it's a rather weak argument. If it's really that big a deal, just rename it "stretching" or something like that; it's not like the name "yoga" has any real meaning when it's used in a secular sense anyways except to explain what it is.

Of course, I wonder if these parents have the same qualms with martial arts...all of them had and most continue to have spiritual and philosophical overtones.

this may be stupid, but instead of yoga why not get the kids to do stretches?

why don't they just call it stretching though, I am sure that it would avoid a lot of controversy.

They're probably thinking that now. They probably called it yoga because it's a well known name and has celebrities who'll claim they do it all the time. Tell parents their kids are doing yoga and some of them'll recognise the name and know someone down the street who swears by it or something like that. Tell them their kids are stretching and they'll start bitching about tax dollars getting flushed away.

A school anti-obesity program that includes yoga is being slammed by Christian parents. They claim that yoga is a religion and that it doesn't belong in schools. Also they claim that it creates an opening in their children that the devil will try to fill with his big, throbbing, black evil because he's not a gentleman.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2007/01/09/bc-yoga.html?ref=rss

I don't see how one can call yoga a religion. It's just a bunch of stretching exercises.

Because God loves big fat slothful gluttons. ;)

http://imagecache2.allposters.com/images/EPH/8310.jpg:rolleyes:

I don't see how one can call yoga a religion. It's just a bunch of stretching exercises.

Fearful people are not appt to be reasonable or rational. This is a naturally occuring human malady, people are naturally afraid of what they don't understand, and these people are using their religion to hide from their fear.

They would do well to remember that "God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind" (2 Timothy 1:7 (http://scriptures.lds.org/en/2_tim/1/7#7)).

My problem with many of the Christian sects and denominations is that they teach obedience to the laws of God by fear of the consequences of sin, rather than teaching obedience out of love and devotion.

Love has a powerful and liberating influence on the human mind, whereas fear has a captivating and oppressive influence on the mind, and many people rebel against that influence, and understandably so. And they hate God because they associate those fealings of fear and control with God, not having a just understanding of who He is, because the hearts of those that teach them are controlled by fear, and they seek to control others by fear also, "For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh" (Matthew 12:34 (http://scriptures.lds.org/en/matt/12/34#34), See also Luke 6:45 (http://scriptures.lds.org/en/luke/6/45#45)).

They're probably thinking that now. They probably called it yoga because it's a well known name and has celebrities who'll claim they do it all the time. Tell parents their kids are doing yoga and some of them'll recognise the name and know someone down the street who swears by it or something like that. Tell them their kids are stretching and they'll start bitching about tax dollars getting flushed away.

when I am teaching a class of children I have what I call "wiggle time" where I let them get up and wiggle or if they are annoying me we go outside and do a 10 minute sprint. I still have parents that look at me sideways over that, because I am wasting a good 20 minutes of my 2 hour lecture "not doing anything"

I swear the kids listen better when they get all the wiggles out.

Because God loves big fat slothful gluttons. ;)

So God looks like Jabba the Hutt? Wow, didn't see that one coming...

why don't they just call it stretching though, I am sure that it would avoid a lot of controversy.

Because it's a system of excercises called "Yoga". Just like there's a system of excercises called "Aerobics", and one called "Thai Chi". It's to identify the program and letting people know what kind of excercises will be included.

when I am teaching a class of children I have what I call "wiggle time" where I let them get up and wiggle or if they are annoying me we go outside and do a 10 minute sprint. I still have parents that look at me sideways over that, because I am wasting a good 20 minutes of my 2 hour lecture "not doing anything"

I swear the kids listen better when they get all the wiggles out.

Screw yoga, wiggle time sounds way more fun. Call it that instead, who cares if there's no actual wiggling involved.

So God looks like Jabba the Hutt? Wow, didn't see that one coming...

No. He just loves Jabba The Hutt. He's a chubby chaser. The Devil likes nice thin bendable kids. Hence yoga. :)

So God looks like Jabba the Hutt? Wow, didn't see that one coming...

He does have the big white beard though. Imagine if Santa had a baby with Jabba the Hutt.

I can understand them not wanting religious practices taught if their practices are restricted also... However, the fact that it is optional seems to me to be more important. I don't think it should be up to the parents to keep their students from experiencing other religions and religious traditions.

And anyway, it would seem that these are just the exercises in Yoga... Not the actual meaning at all. So... That's no more different than me going into my nearest church, sitting down and reading The Sunday Times - it doesn't make me Christian.

when I am teaching a class of children I have what I call "wiggle time" where I let them get up and wiggle or if they are annoying me we go outside and do a 10 minute sprint. I still have parents that look at me sideways over that, because I am wasting a good 20 minutes of my 2 hour lecture "not doing anything"

I swear the kids listen better when they get all the wiggles out.I can totally see this. Children aren't naturally accustomed to having to sit for hours on end with the occasional chunk of physical activity. A little bit of activity every so often is much better.

I can understand them not wanting religious practices taught if their practices are restricted also... However, the fact that it is optional seems to me to be more important. I don't think it should be up to the parents to keep their students from experiencing other religions and religious traditions.

And anyway, it would seem that these are just the exercises in Yoga... Not the actual meaning at all. So... That's no more different than me going into my nearest church, sitting down and reading The Sunday Times - it doesn't make me Christian.


Justice Hugo Black, writing for the majority, pointed out that the prayer is a religious activity by the very nature of its being a prayer. The majority further ruled that prescribing such a religious activity for school children is inconsistent with the Establishment Clause. That is, the program was created by government officials to promote a religious belief and therefore not permissible.

In response to the defendant's claims that: (a) the prayer does not respect any specific established religion; and (b) the prayer is voluntary, Black's opinion held that neither of these claims frees it from contradicting the Establishment Clause. The opinion held that the fact that it promotes a religion is sufficient to conclude it is in violation, even if that promotion is not coercive. Furthermore, the opinion held that the fact that the prayer is vaguely worded enough not to promote any particular religion is not a sufficient defense, as it does still promote a family of religions (those that recognize "Almighty God"), which is also a violation of the Establishment Clause.

Engel v. Vitale (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engel_v._Vitale)

I can understand them not wanting religious practices taught if their practices are restricted also... However, the fact that it is optional seems to me to be more important. I don't think it should be up to the parents to keep their students from experiencing other religions and religious traditions.

And anyway, it would seem that these are just the exercises in Yoga... Not the actual meaning at all. So... That's no more different than me going into my nearest church, sitting down and reading The Sunday Times - it doesn't make me Christian.

Well, to be fair, it would be more like a school serving crackers and grape juice.

Yoga is a religion, stretching isn't.

Depends.

Yoga is the parent of the word "yoke" - to unite with the Supreme. There are mental and physical aspects to it. Kiriya yoga (the self realisation foundation by Swami Yogananda), Raja Yoga, Bhakthi yoga (the Hare Krishna movement) are all yogas for the mind.

The ones you see in fitness centres are just for the body..incomplete...but still beneficial.

I must admit I'm shocked this is coming from Canada.
BC's interior has some weird religious folk in it.

Like the Ozarks, but colder.

Depends.

Yoga is the parent of the word "yoke" - to unite with the Supreme. There are mental and physical aspects to it. Kiriya yoga (the self realisation foundation by Swami Yogananda), Raja Yoga, Bhakthi yoga (the Hare Krishna movement) are all yogas for the mind.

The ones you see in fitness centres are just for the body..incomplete...but still beneficial.

call it stretching then, don't call it Yoga.

Depends.

Yoga is the parent of the word "yoke" - to unite with the Supreme. There are mental and physical aspects to it. Kiriya yoga (the self realisation foundation by Swami Yogananda), Raja Yoga, Bhakthi yoga (the Hare Krishna movement) are all yogas for the mind.

The ones you see in fitness centres are just for the body..incomplete...but still beneficial.

There's also blueberry yoga which is great with a little bit of Grape Nuts mixed in. :)

Engel v. Vitale (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engel_v._Vitale)

Yoga=/=prayer. Yoga is stretching exercises ripped off from Hindus. Considering this is being aimed at obese children I doubt they're going for the Mind Yogas Aryavartha mentioned.

Well, to be fair, it would be more like a school serving crackers and grape juice.
Well, I have no problem with eating crackers and grape juice. It doesn't make it a religious act, not in any sense. Why, if a buffet had crackers and grape juice, it doesn't mean that it has some sort of religious meaning...
In response to the defendant's claims that: (a) the prayer does not respect any specific established religion; and (b) the prayer is voluntary, Black's opinion held that neither of these claims frees it from contradicting the Establishment Clause.
I do not see how this is relevant... Yoga certainly is part of a specific established religion, but religious parts of the exercise need not be involved... And anyway, as I understand it that was an American case.

call it stretching then, don't call it Yoga.

It is still yoga. Incomplete maybe.

Conventional "stretching" cannot be put together with yoga "stretching".

Just because the word yoga also has religious significance, does not mean you can take that word away from the physical aspects inspired by that thought.

The asanas (physical postures) and pranayama (breathing technique) etc were described by Patanjali who clearly thought of it as yoga.

Just because it does not sit well with Christian beliefs, you cannot insist that asana and pranayama are not yoga. You cannot say that this is not underlying reason, else the term "Christian yoga" would not have been invented.:D

Engel v. Vitale (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engel_v._Vitale)

The yoga classes are occuring in Canada, and so US law is inapllicable. Unfortunately, my google-fu is useless today and I was unable to find something analogous for Canadian law.

The yoga classes are occuring in Canada, and so US law is inapllicable. Unfortunately, my google-fu is useless today and I was unable to find something analogous for Canadian law.

yeah, I realized that after I posted it.

Don't do yoga or the devil will penetrate your opening.

Pfft, empty promises...

If your kid is too fat to even be crucified, the devil's already taken over.

A school anti-obesity program that includes yoga is being slammed by Christian parents. They claim that yoga is a religion and that it doesn't belong in schools. Also they claim that it creates an opening in their children that the devil will try to fill with his big, throbbing, black evil because he's not a gentleman.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2007/01/09/bc-yoga.html?ref=rss

I don't see how one can call yoga a religion. It's just a bunch of stretching exercises.

That's so sigged

call it stretching then, don't call it Yoga.

Well if that Yoga is okay, then I don't see why those mothers can't just start their own program at the school for the large kids to help them loose weight!

Sure, they’ll call the food monitoring aspect of it “Fasting” so the children learn that they have to regulate what they eat, and if anyone complains that it should be called dieting instead they should just push that opinion to the side and tell those narrow minded bigots that they are just trying to modify the children’s calorie intake behaviors for the betterment of the children and no one ever complained before…

And as for physical exercise the new program will easily and conveniently cover both cardiovascular rate increase practice AND strength training by having the children haul/carry large heavy beams of wood on their shoulders as they walk for five miles or so around track course…

The crossed beams only look like crosses because it makes them easier for the children to lean into it with their shoulders as they pull them, of course. The fact that they look like crucifixes is merely coincidental...

A moment or two for silent reflection here and there, necessitating the bowing of their heads of course, doesn’t mean they are being indoctrinated into a religion though, that's absurd, we're just trying to help children reflect on themselves as they loose weight, and everyone knows that losing weight is a good thing for oversized kids :D

An...opening? Like a portal to hell? Because I saw Event Horizon, and that was pretty scary. If a spaceship can become a portal to hell, I suppose a yoga studio also could. Just imagine...the blood and guts on all the little purple and blue yoga mats...people standing on their hands with their eyes out of their head...strangling with the stretching straps! Aaaaugh!

An...opening? Like a portal to hell? Because I saw Event Horizon, and that was pretty scary. If a spaceship can become a portal to hell, I suppose a yoga studio also could. Just imagine...the blood and guts on all the little purple and blue yoga mats...people standing on their hands with their eyes out of their head...strangling with the stretching straps! Aaaaugh!
Hi Ilie. :p Are you doing okay?

That sounds just like something out of Hellraiser! (Or my dreams - you pick.)

Time... to play!

That woman is obviously either a fundamentalist nutcase or an uneducated moron.

You're being close-minded about this. Why can't she be both?

I don't know about school kids, but most of the yoga girls I know... mmmmmmm... i can see where the devil gets his motivation.

The mecha are in the shop.

You, however, are to report to torture facility number 9. What? Thats out of service too? Methinks I need new conspirators.
yeah, I swear... the state of secret underground bunker-lairs these days! It's like, no-one has any respect for their Evil Overlords anymore!
^ post of the day :)
Yay, do I get a cookie?

An...opening? Like a portal to hell? Because I saw Event Horizon, and that was pretty scary. If a spaceship can become a portal to hell, I suppose a yoga studio also could. Just imagine...the blood and guts on all the little purple and blue yoga mats...people standing on their hands with their eyes out of their head...strangling with the stretching straps! Aaaaugh!
... what exactly are you smoking? ¬_¬

An...opening? Like a portal to hell? Because I saw Event Horizon, and that was pretty scary. If a spaceship can become a portal to hell, I suppose a yoga studio also could. Just imagine...the blood and guts on all the little purple and blue yoga mats...people standing on their hands with their eyes out of their head...strangling with the stretching straps! Aaaaugh!

lol! That movie creeped me out as well. Ease your mind and read up on what an Event Horizon truly is. (Or ask your local genius physicist.) You'll feel better. :D

I still sit there wondering WTF that movie really was about. There really wasn't a plot... I found "Pi" easier to understand... "Pi" was great!

A true portal to hell: a health insurance company. They have a circle in hell that Dante forgot to include in his "Divine Comedy". I can't wait until they're tortured... :mad: oops sorry for the tangent... ;)

yeah, I swear... the state of secret underground bunker-lairs these days! It's like, no-one has any respect for their Evil Overlords anymore!



Of course Czardas believes himself to be an Evil Overlord. No respect, 'cause ya ain't one, Czardas! :D

A school anti-obesity program that includes yoga is being slammed by Christian parents. They claim that yoga is a religion and that it doesn't belong in schools. Also they claim that it creates an opening in their children that the devil will try to fill with his big, throbbing, black evil because he's not a gentleman.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2007/01/09/bc-yoga.html?ref=rss

I don't see how one can call yoga a religion. It's just a bunch of stretching exercises.

Dam it Dam it Dam it
I saw British columbia and I was hoping it was in my backwards little home towne :(

There is more to yoga than stretching there is also strengthening and balancing and inversions(like handstands), there are also relaxation techniques which are very useful for nights when you can't get to sleep.
Yoga is the ultimate exercise for lazy people because if you get to class and start thinking "Ugh I don't want to exercise" the first thing the teacher says is "lets all lie down and relax"

TO ALL CONSPIRATORS:
You have been judged to be incompetent in your conspiracy plans. The Mossad will dispatch elite ninjews to your homes to murder you in your sleep.

TO ALL CONSPIRATORS:
You have been judged to be incompetent in your conspiracy plans. The Mossad will dispatch elite ninjews to your homes to murder you in your sleep.

You do know they're going to move and not sleep, right?

Yoga is not a religion (http://swamij.com/religion.htm) :

Yoga has no deity to worship.
Yoga has no worship services to attend.
Yoga has no rituals to perform.
Yoga has no sacred icons.
Yoga has no creed or formal statement of religious belief.
Yoga has no requirement for a confession of faith.
Yoga has no ordained clergy or priests to lead religious services.
Yoga has no institutional structure, leader or group of overseers.
Yoga has no membership procedure.
Yoga has no congregation of members or followers.
Yoga has no system of temples or churches.

People may be confused because Yoga is often used by the religious, but that doesn't make it religion.

It's like saying controlled breathing to calm your heart is religion.

yeah, I swear... the state of secret underground bunker-lairs these days! It's like, no-one has any respect for their Evil Overlords anymore!

{snip}

I know what you mean. I blame the sad state of modern education.

Of course Czardas believes himself to be an Evil Overlord. No respect, 'cause ya ain't one, Czardas! :D

I would say Czardas is doing an adequate job as Evil Overloard. Not as good a job as I am of course, but not everyone can be The Greatness.

TO ALL CONSPIRATORS:
You have been judged to be incompetent in your conspiracy plans. The Mossad will dispatch elite ninjews to your homes to murder you in your sleep.

Sorry, the Devil co-opted the Jews during the Inquisition. Read your history.


And I Still need new conspiritors for world domination.

I know what you mean. I blame the sad state of modern education.



I would say Czardas is doing an adequate job as Evil Overloard. Not as good a job as I am of course, but not everyone can be The Greatness.



Sorry, the Devil co-opted the Jews during the Inquisition. Read your history.


And I Still need new conspiritors for world domination.


Sign me up!

Yoga is not a religion (http://swamij.com/religion.htm) :



People may be confused because Yoga is often used by the religious, but that doesn't make it religion.

It's like saying controlled breathing to calm your heart is religion.

it depends on what you classify as religion.


praying isn't a religion, but you don't want teacher orchestrated prayers even if they are "voluntary" in schools do you?

Yoga (Devanagari: योग) is a family of ancient spiritual practices dating back more than 5000 years from India. It is one of the six schools of Hindu philosophy. In India, Yoga is seen as a means to both physiological and spiritual mastery.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoga

there is Yoga, and there is Yoga (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoga)

meaning there are the stretches with funny names, and then there are the stretches with funny names and a weird philosophy.

those people that say "Yoga changed my life" aren't just talking about the stretchy kind.

oh, and if they are battling obesity why not just have the kids run laps? that's what they did when I was in school.

Yep.

Yoga definately has spiritual aspects to it. Like chanting Ohm or recieting the yogi's prayer. But those aspects are the most often omitted from classes. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoga_as_exercise

it depends on what you classify as religion.


praying isn't a religion, but you don't want teacher orchestrated prayers even if they are "voluntary" in schools do you?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoga


Prayer is done to address some diety is it not?

Yoga is not. It can be but its general purpose is for mastery over the mind and body, especially when the teacher leading the exercises makes no mention of anything spiritual.

Is the teacher leading the kids towards religion or even spirituality by having them do stretches? No. Would the teacher be doing that with a prayer? Yes.

The word Yoga means "Union" (of mind and body), how is that religios or spiritual.

Just because yoga is used by the religious doesnt make it a religion. Just like how religious people use candles, doesnt make the use of candles a religion.

Yep.

nope - yoga has changed my life because it has helped withy my back problems immensely.

Yoga is an exercise that has been used religiously, but that doesn't make it a religion or even a religious practice if used as an exercise only.

I would encourage teachers to lead meditations where the students still their mind as well. While meditation can have siritual connotations, there are very practical benefits that can come from meditation, just as there are from yoga.

Sign me up!

Thats one. any other takers?

A school anti-obesity program that includes yoga is being slammed by Christian parents. They claim that yoga is a religion and that it doesn't belong in schools. Also they claim that it creates an opening in their children that the devil will try to fill with his big, throbbing, black evil because he's not a gentleman.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2007/01/09/bc-yoga.html?ref=rss

I don't see how one can call yoga a religion. It's just a bunch of stretching exercises.

We don't want our childrens openings penetrated, do we? Though, I've heard that sort of thing burns calories.

Of course Czardas believes himself to be an Evil Overlord. No respect, 'cause ya ain't one, Czardas! :D
There's someone I haven't seen in like ever. I suppose Mistress Hype has some better examples of evil overlordship to show us?

I know what you mean. I blame the sad state of modern education.
Considering that not a single Evil Overlord is participating in this education, it makes sense.

I would say Czardas is doing an adequate job as Evil Overloard. Not as good a job as I am of course, but not everyone can be The Greatness.
QFT, if you replace "Czardas" with your own name. ;)

there is Yoga, and there is Yoga (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoga)

meaning there are the stretches with funny names, and then there are the stretches with funny names and a weird philosophy.

those people that say "Yoga changed my life" aren't just talking about the stretchy kind.

oh, and if they are battling obesity why not just have the kids run laps? that's what they did when I was in school.
Not to be one of those losers that coddles kids ...but running laps is hard on the joints where yoga when done properly is zero impact on the student....with great results. I prefer Tai Chi Chuan myself but then you have the problem of people being pissed about a Chinese Devil religion....and we dont even need to get into that mess...

Yoga is good for the mind, body, and soul.

Let me put it this way: The devil only penetrates your opening if you want him to. Or if your parents want him to...


:D

So remember kiddies, if satan rapes you, it's either your fault or your parent's fault.

I neither see how yoga is

a) a religion
b) a particularly efficient or enjoyable way to lose weight

A school anti-obesity program that includes yoga is being slammed by Christian parents. They claim that yoga is a religion and that it doesn't belong in schools. Also they claim that it creates an opening in their children that the devil will try to fill with his big, throbbing, black evil because he's not a gentleman.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2007/01/09/bc-yoga.html?ref=rss

I don't see how one can call yoga a religion. It's just a bunch of stretching exercises.

Can't these idiots do anything except use religion to make other people's lives difficult?

Goddamnit.

I neither see how yoga is

a) a religion

Because it isn't, unless you have a wild imagination.


b) a particularly efficient or enjoyable way to lose weight

That's how I felt until I actually did yoga. The beginner class had me exhausted and I was in pretty good shape at the time. I don't care who you are... if you did the hour and a half of yoga I did on my first time, you'd be sweating bullets.

Hmm... How...*licks lips* big is this black, throbbing evil? *licks lips again*

I don't know, some of the people I know that do Yoga are pretty fanatical about it.

I know, isn't it nuts? I couldn't understand why until I tried it...devilish penetration kept me going back for more, and more, and more!

People say "God loves you" but he has nothing on the Devil.:D

b) a particularly efficient or enjoyable way to lose weight

It is actually, both. It strengthens your core while you improve flexibility. If you think it looks easy...it isn't. If you're not shaking, trying to hold a pose, you're not working hard enough. Oh..you could probably run like hell and diet to lose weight, but yoga is low impact (or can be modified to be low impact depending on any injuries you may have). Also, the flexibility you gain is invaluable...no, not just for sex...but for avoiding common injuries caused by overtaxing yourself (if you've ever gotten that horrible crick in your neck just from turning your head too fast, you'll appreciate that never happening again).

Also, for interesting...the poses change often enough that you don't get stuck in a boring routine. Plus, if you get a hot Swedish woman teaching you, you get to oggle her in those tight yoga clothes...and she might even massage your feet at the end of it.

It is actually, both. It strengthens your core while you improve flexibility. If you think it looks easy...it isn't. If you're not shaking, trying to hold a pose, you're not working hard enough. Oh..you could probably run like hell and diet to lose weight, but yoga is low impact (or can be modified to be low impact depending on any injuries you may have). Also, the flexibility you gain is invaluable...no, not just for sex...but for avoiding common injuries caused by overtaxing yourself (if you've ever gotten that horrible crick in your neck just from turning your head too fast, you'll appreciate that never happening again).

Also, for interesting...the poses change often enough that you don't get stuck in a boring routine. Plus, if you get a hot Swedish woman teaching you, you get to oggle her in those tight yoga clothes...and she might even massage your feet at the end of it.


*envisions*


my yoga class was great - the teacher was a hot guy with a giant bulge - lol - and there were so many hot flexible women in there, it was rather hard to keep my mind out of the gutter and on the exercises.

I loved the variety as well and yeah it burns so good!!!!!!!

Yeah, I'm not normally a fan of exercise...oh, I love to dance, and it's a work out, but that's not why I do it. But yoga is the ONLY time I've actually enjoyed working out. Maybe it's the masochist in me though...it can get pretty intensely painful at times. Mmmmmmm.

Silly fools. We all know tai chi is the one that's out to destroy christianity, Yoga is for destroying judaism.
Tai Chi will destroy it very slowly and carefully.

A school anti-obesity program that includes yoga is being slammed by Christian parents. They claim that yoga is a religion and that it doesn't belong in schools. Also they claim that it creates an opening in their children that the devil will try to fill with his big, throbbing, black evil because he's not a gentleman.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2007/01/09/bc-yoga.html?ref=rss

I don't see how one can call yoga a religion. It's just a bunch of stretching exercises.

Yoga is a religious practice in India. Outside of India, yes it is just exercise. I don't think the school is teaching philosophy and how to master one's body and spirit (which is a pity). If this is true, then the religion-in-school argument of these parents does not apply. It is also doesn't seem right to force the school to end a program that benefits many students when the protesting parent can just have the child taken out of said program.

The protesting parent needs to be shot. With a hammer.

*envisions*


my yoga class was great - the teacher was a hot guy with a giant bulge - lol - and there were so many hot flexible women in there, it was rather hard to keep my mind out of the gutter and on the exercises.

I loved the variety as well and yeah it burns so good!!!!!!!

You guys are so lucky u get sexy yoga teachers.
I had a short fat 40-year-old guy who kept touching my thighs to "help me stretch" and then gave me a coupon for a free yoga massage after class.:eek:

You guys are so lucky u get sexy yoga teachers.
I had a short fat 40-year-old guy who kept touching my thighs to "help me stretch" and then gave me a coupon for a free yoga massage after class.:eek:

Must...resist....

Can't...resist...


Did you take it?

You guys are so lucky u get sexy yoga teachers.
I had a short fat 40-year-old guy who kept touching my thighs to "help me stretch" and then gave me a coupon for a free yoga massage after class.:eek:

EEEEWWWWW! :D

Must...resist....

Can't...resist...


Did you take it?

NO:mad:

NO:mad:

Did you give it to one of your hot friends? :D

lol! That movie creeped me out as well. Ease your mind and read up on what an Event Horizon truly is. (Or ask your local genius physicist.) You'll feel better. :D

I still sit there wondering WTF that movie really was about. There really wasn't a plot... I found "Pi" easier to understand... "Pi" was great!

A true portal to hell: a health insurance company. They have a circle in hell that Dante forgot to include in his "Divine Comedy". I can't wait until they're tortured... :mad: oops sorry for the tangent... ;)

No no, the topic of health insurance agencies fits perfectly. :D

I admit Yoda talks kind of funny but ... no, wait ...