North Jersey schools offering yoga as part of curriculum - NorthJersey.com

Related: Kids yoga classes in North Jersey are finding new popularity^[1]

As the school year gets under way, kids are breaking out their sneakers for dodge ball and the 50-yard dash — and, in some North Jersey schools, they're also rolling out the yoga mats.

Many schools in the region offer yoga as part of the curriculum, either in physical education courses or in the classroom setting.

In the Fort Lee^[2] school system, yoga is incorporated into part of the traditional gym curriculum for grades 9 to 12.

"A lot of the boys are resistant at the start, but then they realize that it is pretty hard after all, they're actually working out and they are pleasantly surprised by it," said Alysia Ott, a health and PE teacher.

One of the major benefits, Ott said, is that yoga works for kids who may not see themselves as athletic. "They realize that they can do it, too," she said.

Skirting spiritual side

Yoga in the schools made news this summer when a California judge ruled that a school's yoga programs there did not violate the constitutional right of a separation of church and state.

Yoga originates from Eastern religions like Buddhism and Hinduism, but many schools incorporate the physical poses and relaxation without the spiritual aspect.

The yoga program in the Paterson^[3] Public Schools has been in place for four years — predating the California decision — but being mindful of religious differences was key to planning the program, said Terry Corallo, district spokeswoman.

References

1. ^{^} Kids yoga classes in North Jersey are finding new popularity (www.northjersey.com)


2. ^{^} Fort Lee (www.northjersey.com)


3. ^{^} Paterson (www.northjersey.com)