![](\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/cf-images.us-east-1.prod.boltdns.net\/v1\/static\/694940094001\/620dd3ab-147f-4f05-be56-8a696242ee15\/bf821495-2d40-468c-b122-51299dbc1f2e\/1280x720\/match\/931\/524\/image.jpg?ve=1&tl=1\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Check out what’s clicking on Foxnews.com.<\/p>\n
Alabama lawmakers lifted a 30-year ban on yoga in public schools this week, though the phrase “namaste” is still prohibited.<\/p>\n
The state\u2019s education department banned yoga in 1993, citing its spiritual affiliation with Hinduism. <\/p>\n
But Governor Kay Ivey signed legislation into law Thursday that allows public school boards the ability to decide if the activity can be offered in local schools. <\/p>\n
The legislation states that “all instruction in yoga shall be limited exclusively to poses, exercises, and stretching techniques.”<\/p>\n
The Sanskrit phrase “Namaste” — which means “I bow to you” and is generally said at the end of a yoga session as students join hands in front of their chest and bow \u2013 is still banned in Alabama schools. <\/p>\n
“Chanting, mantras, mudras, use of mandalas\u2026shall be expressly prohibited,” the bill states. Only English descriptions of poses are allowed.<\/p>\n
Democratic State Rep. Jeremy Gray, a former football player at North Carolina State University turned yogi, introduced the legislation to overturn the ban earlier this year.<\/p>\n
The bill passed through the House in a 75-14 vote Monday, though not without first agreeing to Republican-led amendments.<\/p>\n
Stipulations requiring a parent signature were included and language banning hypnosis, guided imagery, and meditation were also included.<\/p>\n
Fox News could not immediately reach Gray for comment, but in an interview with a local news outlet, the Alabama Democrat said he accepted the amendments in order to get the bill passed. <\/p>\n
Gray told the Opelika-Auburn News that he would try to have the amendments revoked at a later time.<\/p>\n
“We know that scientific studies show that yoga helps children cope with daily stressors as well as helping to improve behavior, concentration, mobility, flexibility, and strength,” he said. <\/p>\n
K-12 public schools will be able to offer yoga to students starting in August. <\/p>\n