HB235 Alabama 2020 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jeremy GrayRepresentative

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2020

Title

Education, grades K-12, yoga, authorize local boards of education to offer to students

Summary

This bill would allow local school boards in Alabama to offer yoga to students in grades K-12 as an elective, with an opt-out option.

What This Bill Does

If passed, local boards of education could offer yoga to students in grades K-12 as an elective activity. Students would have the option to opt out in favor of alternative activities. The boards would decide how long and how often yoga classes occur. The instruction would be limited to poses, exercises, and stretching, using only English names, and practices like chanting or namaste greetings would be prohibited.

Who It Affects

• Students in grades K-12 would be eligible to participate in yoga as an elective and could opt out.
• Local boards of education would gain the authority to offer yoga and determine the duration and frequency of instruction.
• Schools and teachers would need to follow content restrictions, such as using English names for poses and prohibiting chanting, mantras, mudras, mandalas, and namaste greetings.

Key Provisions

• Yoga instruction is elective; an opt-out option must be available.
• Local boards have exclusive discretion to set the duration and frequency of yoga instruction.
• Instruction is limited to poses, exercises, and stretching techniques.
• Poses are limited to sitting, standing, reclining, twisting, and balancing.
• All pose and exercise names must use exclusively English descriptive terms.
• Chanting, mantras, mudras, use of mandalas, and namaste greetings are prohibited.
• The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month following passage and governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Education