Hindus urge Nixon to sign yoga tax exemption

Gov. Jay Nixon should sign a bill exempting yoga classes from Missouri's sales tax, a group representing Hindus said in a news release.
The organization didn't identify the bill it wants Nixon to sign, but legislative researchers suggested it's Senate Bill 1025, which removes "instructional classes" from the law requiring "places of recreation" to collect sales taxes.
Supporters said the bill was intended to exempt people from paying sales taxes on lessons, such as lessons related to dance, gymnastics, karate, etc. It would depend on the Department of Revenue's interpretation if a yoga class is instructional or for fitness.
The bill's final passage came on May 13 - the Legislature's last day - so it will be in the large group of bills sent to Nixon later this week.
He has until mid-July to sign or veto them.
Two bills - one in the House and one in the state Senate - were introduced last January specifically to exempt people from paying sales taxes on lessons, such as those related to dance, gymnastics, karate and others.
"With approximately $80 million in tax breaks on their way to my desk that were not accounted for in the budget, I will be taking a close look at their costs - and taking the actions necessary to keep the budget in balance," Nixon told reporters after the Legislature ended its work.
Rajan Zed, president of Universal Society of Hinduism, said yoga is a mental and physical discipline, for everybody to share and benefit from. The society represents about 3 million Hindus in the U.S.
He noted the practice, sometimes referred to as "a living fossil," can be traced back to beginnings around 4,000 years ago, in the Indus Valley civilization.
Although introduced and nourished by Hinduism, he said, yoga is a world heritage and liberation powerhouse to be utilized by all.
The U.S. National Institutes of Health, said yoga's potential benefits may include feeling more relaxed, being more flexible, improving posture, deeper breathing and getting rid of stress.
A recent study found about 37 million Americans practice yoga; and yoga is strongly correlated with having a positive self image.