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Indian Minister Says Yoga Should Be Mandatory

Posted on Dec 5th 2008 4:00PM by Martha Edwards

Filed Under: Motivation, Nutrition & Supplements

There are a number of mandatory classes in school -- math, science, English ... and yoga? Yoga might not be a part of the curriculum for students here in North America, but in India, it's set to become a requirement.

At the regional Diabetes summit in Chennai, Indian Minister Anbumani Ramadoss says, "There should be extensive scientific deliberations on yoga. And today I blatantly put that yoga reduces diabetes, yoga reduces hypertension, yoga reduces stress. I am going to make yoga mandatory for all school-going children in India (from) the coming year."

And why not? Yoga is good for the soul and the body -- it can teach patience, kindness, fitness and body awareness to students. Maybe we should make it a requirement here. What do you think?

Should yoga be a mandatory class in schools?
Yes	60 (70.6%)
No	18 (21.2%)
Other -- tell us in the comments	7 (8.2%)

(via Calorie Lab)

Source

3 Comment

Tags: class, india, kids, manadatory, required, reuiwred, school, yoga, ypga

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

CJ 12-05-2008 @ 5:19PM

Yoga ? Yep, it's good for you but I'm not sure it should be mandatory. Physical education/fitness classes of varying levels ??? Yes, I'd vote for that !!

u262f 12-05-2008 @ 7:41PM

I believe in the separation of church and state. Mandatory education is a "state" thing, and some aspects of yoga come too dangerously close to "church". By the time enough of the spiritual aspects were stripped out of yoga to prevent it from "church", yoga purists would probably say that what's being mandated no longer counts as yoga.

helen 1-03-2009 @ 11:07PM

I think that it should be an option, but not a requirement. That way, if anyone wants to take it, they can, but it doesn't interfere with anyone's religious beliefs. Schools offer weightlifting and extra cardio as electives... why not yoga?