Family sues school district over 'religious' yoga program

A family is suing a public school in the beach city of Encinitas because of its yoga program.

The lawsuit, filed in San Diego Superior Court, claims that the thirty minute classes are in fact religious, and violates the separation between church and state, reports the Associated Press.

The party responsible for this lawsuit consists of Stephen and Jennifer Sedlock, along with their children, who happen to be students in the Encinitas Union School District.

This particular district is thought to be the first in the country to employ full-time yoga teachers at every school. The program is funded by a $533,000, three-year grant from the Jois Foundation. This particular foundation is a nonprofit organization that encourages Ashtanga yoga, as stated in the Daily Journal.

“We’re not teaching religion,” said Superintendent Timothy Baird, “We teach a mainstream physical fitness program that happens to incorporate yoga into it. It’s part of overall wellness program. The vast majority of students and parents support it.”

Teachers and parents alike have said to notice that students are noticeably calmer because of the program.