Alabama lifts ban on teaching yoga in public schools but still bars ‘namaste’

Kay Ivey, the Republican governor, signed bill overriding state's 1993 ban but some conservative Christian groups fought to retain it

Alabama has lifted a three-decade-long ban on allowing yoga to be taught in its public schools - though the word namaste" and chanting om" will still be barred in classrooms.

Governor Kay Ivey, a Republican, signed a bill which overrides the state's 1993 ban on yoga instruction and allows local school boards to decide whether students can be taught the ancient practice.