'No Namaste:' School Will No Longer Use Sanskrit Phrase From Yoga Classes Following Complaints From Parents

Students from Atlanta elementary school will no longer say "Namaste" during yoga practice after Christian parents complained that administrators were indoctrinating Hindu religion onto students. Moreover, school officials ensured parents that all of the students will no longer put their hands at their heart as part of the gesture during yoga sessions.

Bullard Elementary school's stress management practice, yoga, is under attack from the students' parents who claimed that yoga practice is equivalent to a religious practice. "They're pushing ideology on our students," mother from Cobb County, Susan Jaramillo said to 11 Alive, according to News Gram.

However, Principal Patrice Moore said parents' reaction to children who are "enjoying breathing and body movement" in class during yoga sessions are just "misunderstanding." Nevertheless, she issued an apology letter to all parents. Moore said the school also banned the phrase namaste and the gesture of putting a hand over hearts during yoga sessions.

"I am truly sorry that the mindfulness/de-stressing practices here at Bullard caused many misconceptions that in turn created a distraction in our school and community," part of the letter reads, according to Daily Mail. Aside from banning the common practices during yoga sessions, Moore added the students would also stop using the coloring books Mandala (translated to mean "circle" in Sanskrit, is a Hindu and Buddhist symbol for the universe) during "brain breaks."

More so, the principal said the school will not teach the children about the healing powers of crystals. "Although teachers have never used nor taught about crystals having healing powers during these breaks, we understand it has become a belief," she wrote.

What do you think? Would it be scary to allow children to learn some de-stressing yoga techniques? Can the word namaste and the simple gesture during yoga sessions really brainwash the minds of the kids? Please share your thoughts in the comment box below.