ENCINITAS, Calif. (AP) -- A group of parents is bent out of shape by free yoga classes at schools in this San Diego County beachside commune, fearing they are indoctrinating youngsters in eastern religion.<br />
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"There's a deep concern that the Encinitas Union School District is using taxpayer resources to promote Ashtanga yoga and Hinduism, a religion system of beliefs and practices," the parents' attorney, Dean Broyles, told the North County Times..<br />
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In an Oct. 12 email to district Superintendent Tim Baird, Broyles called the yoga program unconstitutional and said he may take unspecified legal action unless the classes stop.<br />
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The lessons are funded by a $533,000, three-year grant from the Jois Foundation, a nonprofit group that promotes Asthanga yoga. Some schools began classes last month and others will begin holding them in January.<br />
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The classes involve traditional eastern breathing techniques and poses. The district chooses teachers and sets the curriculum while the foundation trains the teachers.<br />
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The district has removed any religious content from the twice-weekly classes, Baird said.<br />
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"I think that they really would like to think that, but I don't think that, in actuality, it has been done," said Mary Eady, who removed her son from the classes. "There's really a lot of unease among a lot of parents."<br />
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The superintendent said only a few parents have pulled their children from the yoga classes and he did not expect district trustees to cancel the program.<br />
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"Our goal is that kids get a really healthy workout, that they get a chance to relax and reduce stress and yoga's perfect for that," Baird said.<br />
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"Yoga is a worldwide exercise regime utilized by people of many different faiths," he said. "Yoga is part of our mainstream culture."<br />
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Jois Foundation Director Eugene Ruffin denied the group is religious and said the board of directors includes people from various faiths.<br />
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"These therapies are headed toward trying to find solutions for some of the stress that these children find themselves in," he said. "We're trying to solve problems."<br />
