Parents angry over relaxation programs in schools.

School programs that use relaxation techniques such as breathing and guided imagery are reaping both praise and scorn. In Michigan, a parent's group fought a health-education plan that taught students to breathe deeply to help them relax. In Minnesota, parents opposed teacher-led "imagery trips" claiming they manipulated students to the point of paralysis and introduced religion into public classrooms. But in California, stress-reduction programs are running successfully in at least two school systems, with widespread support from parents and school administrators.

Proponents of relaxation programs say they are important because students are under far more stress than were previous generations. "When teachers in the 1940's talked about students' problems, they meant running in the …