ANNOUNCE INTENT TO AMEND ALABAMA ADMINISTRATIVE CODE, RULE 290-040.040.02 PERTAINING TO CERTAIN TEACHING TECHNIQUES The current rule 290-040-040.02(1)(e) is a prohibition against using yoga as a teaching technique and defines yoga as: “A Hindu philosophy and method of religious training in which eastern meditation and contemplation are joined with physical exercises, allegedly to facilitate the development of body-mind-spirit.” ‘The proposed rule prohibits “Spiritual Yoga,” which is defined as “a practice that combines certain Eastern philosophy and methods of religious training with physical exercise alleged to facilitate the development of the mind-body spirit” The proposed rule expressly allows “yoga stretches, exercises, and poses intended to improve flexibility and strength as a teaching technique ... if the instruction does not include a religious component.” The proposed rule has express application to physical education classes and to faculty or staff exercise on campus before or after regular school hours. Other changes to the rule are less substantive and intended to promote readabil ity, consistency, use of plain language, and grammatical accuracy.290-040-40.02 Sarai teaching rechoives, (1) the sta ote te Board of SEtain techniques in vsinct Etteation ts avare of concerns that Clarification. the 5 school materials or programs need Prohibits pate 2 ‘ollowin — activities, as defined in this section, as teaching Eechniques: a nine (a) Dissociative Mental state--Another way of describing a hypnotic state. It refers to the separation or isolation of mental processes intended to in-sueh-e-wayshat—they-become split e£€—frem the main personality or lose their normal thought affect relationship. In such a state the boundary between the real and fantas (b)__Hypnosis~ L altered state of consciousness, usual! induced, characterized 2 stions and commands, of critical judgment, “perceptions. A common induction technique 4 and involves the Rtial use, in some combination, ing off the lights, veclining, > ounted measured deep breathing, exercises ds, alternate tensing and relaxing of mus “repeating a single word or phrase. (c)_ Guided Image guided imagery, used as a hypnosis/m ‘suggestionTranscend FoF mental Meditation--an altered or dissociative is_often synonymous with hypnosis Ssociated with wees Eeligious methods, It is normally induced by “{H-—Bensonto—RelenattonResponseh, Progressive relaxation focusing on deep breaths and a—mantea (repeated word or phrase}. NORE: —Phio—is—not tebe confused with—secutar meditation which tnvelvesetert;—refieetive and-cognitive contemplation — (e) Spiritual Yoga--A practice that combines certain Eastern Hinds philosophy and methods of religious training 4e—which physical exercises alleg of the body-mind spirit. (4) Instructional _use (2) Consistent with state with the responsibility of tea care to emphasize that conduct ps Jaw is not appropriate 4n-a-eivilized-sestety, School & jould also emphasize the consequences of conduct tha y law or that is highly likely to result in hai health of a person. Such conduct shall ents as legitimate options for their c ied herein shall be interpreted about alternative lifestylesEric G. Mackey Statutory Aut thority: Constitution of Alabama of 1901, amend 24, Code of Ala. 1975, 8816312, 16313, History: New 1993