Under the new legislation, which must still be voted on in the Alabama Senate, asana — the physical practice of yoga — will be allowed, but traditional Sanskrit names for the traditional postures, as well as the simple greeting “namaste” will be prohibited, as will any sort of chanting. Students have the option to opt out of participating.
Mat McDermott, director of communication for the Hindu American Foundation says he's conflicted about the move. "On one hand, I’m happy that students in Alabama will be able to be exposed to asana and hopefully reap the physical and mental benefits that steady practice can bring. But I need a couple other hands to hold all the reservations I have: the continued disassociation of yoga from its Hindu roots, disconnection of the postures themselves from the larger place of yoga as a philosophy and spiritual practice, as well as a seeming genuine ignorance about and bias toward Sanskrit as a language. "
(source Religion News Service)