Parent complaints about yoga prompt changes at school

KENNESAW, Ga. (AP) A Georgia elementary school is changing the way it conducts yoga activities in classrooms after parents complained.

Bullard Elementary School Principal Patrice Moore said in an email to parents at the Kennesaw school that concerns and ``misconceptions'' about the activities had created a distraction.

The Marietta Daily Journal reports that Moore wrote that students have been practicing ``de-stressing techniques,'' but recent practices associated with ``mindfulness'' are offensive to some people.

As a result, Bullard wrote, students will not be directed to say the word ``Namaste,'' a respectful greeting in Hindu culture.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that a growing number of U.S. and Georgia schools have started using yoga and other ``mindfulness'' practices to help students deal with stress and focus on academics.