California School Yoga Lawsuit

A Southern California school district has caused backlash from parents who feel Ashtanga yoga classes for kids are an infringement on religious beliefs by pushing Hinduism in public schools.

A yoga lawsuit has been filed by the National Center for Law & Policy, which is representing a family suing the Encinitas Union School District for violating civil rights by forcing Ashtanga yoga onto K-6 schoolchildren.

The lawsuit was filed in San Diego Superior Court by attorneys on behalf of plaintiffs Stephen Sedlock and Jennifer Sedlock.

Reportedly, the family is not seeking monetary damages.  They simply don't want to pay taxes for religious activities forbidden in public schools under California state law.

The Sedlocks and 30 other families want the Ashtanga yoga program to immediately cease operation.

Encinitas Superintendent Timothy Baird said the yoga classes are a "typical P.E. class."

Many Californians are asking if Baird would feel the same about Christian exercise classes.  They also wonder what ever happened to jumping jacks and hopscotch.

The Southern California superintendent said the controversial yoga classes will still be offered to kids in every school in his district, lawsuit or no lawsuit.