Is yoga a religion?

That's what a California judge must decide as a lawsuit regarding teaching yoga in public schools goes to trial.

The lawsuit was filed on behalf of parents Stephen and Jennifer Sedlock, who contend that yoga is religious in nature and that opting out of the program in public schools would cost their children time that should be devoted to physical education, Fox5SanDiego.com reports.

Ashtanga yoga is currently offered in place of physical education in the Encinitas County school district.

"If you asked me what's the most religious form of yoga, I would pick Ashtanga as my No. 1," expert witness Dr. Candy Brown testified.

Brown testified she believes there's a conspiracy at work to trick students into a spiritual practice through yoga, Fox5SanDiego.com reports.

The yoga classes began after the KP Jois Foundations gave the school district $500,000 to fund the health and wellness program. The foundation says its curriculum "uses the techniques of yoga, meditation and proper nutrition to create a positive lifestyle change" for students.

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California judge weighs whether yoga is a religion

May 22, 2013 2:29pm

Research shows that yoga and meditation reduce stress, anxiety and depression.

Reported by Dr. Katie Guttenberg for ABC News:

Though the practices of yoga and meditation have their roots in ancient cultures, theyve both become modern day movements. More than 20 million Americans meditate regularly, according to the 2007 National Health Interview Survey. More than 13 million do yoga.

To explore the health benefits of meditation and yoga, Dr. Richard Besser, chief health and medical correspondent for ABC News, hosted a tweet chat Tuesday. He invited experts from top hospitals and research centers, including the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, the University of Wisconsin, the Cleveland Clinic and Harvard Medical School, as well as respected yoga authorities from the Krapula Yoga Center in Stockbridge, Mass., and West Hartford Yoga in Connecticut.

Click here for the full transcript of the chat. Read on for the highlights.

What is meditation and what does the science say about its benefits for the brain and body?

Many forms of meditation evolved from ancient religious and spiritual traditions, said the NCCAM. Although practices vary today, most meditation techniques aim to train attention and awareness to help bring thoughts under control.

Studies show how helpful a regular meditation practice can be for relieving pain, anxiety and stress. Although a series of University of Wisconsin studies have found meditation can benefit patients with chronic inflammatory disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis, more research is needed to understand its role in the treatment of chronic health conditions.

What is yoga and how can a regular practice help me keep healthy?

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Yoga, Meditation Benefit Both Brain and Body

Yoga Instructor Testifies in Encinitas School Lawsuit

Jennifer Nicole Brown is one of the contractors who are certified to instruct yoga. She testifies in court Thursday about the discussion she had with administrators over chanting.

Yoga Pose Demo in Encinitas School Lawsuit

Instructor Jennifer Nicole Brown demonstrates the poses she teaches in the Encinitas schools as part of its yoga program. Opponents are suing the district to end the instruction of yoga as part of the schools' physical education programs.

An instructor testifying in a lawsuit filed over the Encinitas school district's yoga program demonstrated some basic poses inside a San Diego courtroom Wednesday.

At issue: are yoga poses religious in nature and can schools offer yoga instruction as part of its physical education program without promoting the religion or spirituality behind the practice?

Judge John S. Meyer heard testimony this week regarding Ashtanga yoga and a curriculum established within the Encinitas Union School District where students practice yoga as P.E.

The district established its yoga program with a $500,000 grant from the K.P. Jois Foundation. The hope was that yoga would help the elementary school students focus on studies, keep them calm and may even curb bullying.

All nine schools in the district are currently participating in the program.

However some parents objected when the program was launched in the fall of 2012. After complaining to the district, opponents sued claiming the classes are being used to indoctrinate children and "spread the gospel" of Ashtanga yoga. The plaintiffs want yoga classes suspended immediately.

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Lawsuit: Schools spreading 'gospel' of yoga