State Rep.  Jeremy Gray’s (D-Opelika) bill that would allow school districts to offer yoga as a class passed the Alabama House of Representatives on Tuesday.

Alabama is currently the only state in America that does not allow school districts to teach yoga.

Yoga was banned in 1993 due to what people at the time described as connections to foreign religions. The exercise regimen has since become common across the United States, and is offered at many Christian churches.

The legislation restricts yoga to only being an elective, meaning no students will be required to take a class on the subject.

If enacted, each local school board would have the option to add yoga.

The bill also says, “Chanting, mantras, mudras, use of mandalas, and namaste greetings shall be expressly prohibited.”

The bill goes on to the Alabama Senate, where it will be heard first at the Committee on Education Policy.

Henry Thornton is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can contact him by email: henry@new-yhn.local or on Twitter @HenryThornton95.