Facts

Parents filed suit against the Encinitas Union School District, arguing that the school district should not be allowed to teach yoga to students. The parents argued that yoga is a religious practice and its inclusion in school curriculum violated the constitutional principle of separating church and state.

The school district implemented a program where each of its schools had one full-time yoga teacher, funded by grants from a non-profit group in Encinitas that promoted Asthanaga yoga. Twice-weekly 30-minute classes were offered to the students.

Result

The court ruled that the school district could teach yoga, finding that the way yoga was being taught was free of religious or cultural references. Instead, it was merely being taught as a way to promote strength, flexibility, and balance.