Yoga Alliance is putting together a comprehensive report on state regulation of Yoga teacher training. Our initial research shows that over 40 states have regulation that could be applied to Yoga schools. To gain a better understanding of these laws and how they are being applied in each state, we are reviewing materials from states and having conversations with RYSs in each state to share their firsthand experiences with our community.

Yoga Alliance’s Position on State Regulation

We believe that Yoga teacher training must be held to the highest practicable standards. These standards are best developed and implemented by those with a comprehensive knowledge of the ancient practice and historical traditions of Yoga. It is our belief that government regulatory attempts are financially motivated and state regulators are ill-informed about the nature of Yoga and the practice of teaching Yoga to others. Regulation unfairly burdens smaller Yoga schools resulting in a decrease in the availability and quality of instruction.

That said, we recognize that there are different perspectives on this issue.

Varying Opinions

Through our research, we’ve heard stories ranging from daunting accounts of financial burden and arbitrary regulatory efforts to reports from schools that banded together to achieve exemptions. We also heard from schools who strongly believe that regulation enhanced their business reputation and the overall credibility of Yoga teacher trainings. We sincerely hope that our community can work together, practicing the yamas and niyamas, in our pursuit of what we collectively feel is best to preserve the ancient teachings of Yoga in the US.

Different Tactics, Same Result

In May 2011, the Texas Yoga Association garnered the support of thousands of yogis across the Longhorn state to celebrate victory of an amended Texas statute. The amendment redefined “career school” to specifically exempt Yoga teacher training programs from regulation by the Texas Workforce Commission. Jennifer Buergemeister of the Texas Yoga Association explained, “This was a huge victory for the Yoga community in Texas. Regulating Yoga as a career school detracted from its rightful place as a spiritual and philosophical tradition. It is rare that the little guys can win, but when you are truly passionate about what you believe in, you can achieve the change that you dream of.

At the same time Texas yogis were celebrating their victory with attention from the local media, large rallies and concerts on their state Capitol steps, another victory was being much more quietly celebrated in Louisiana. Through strategic contact with the Louisiana state legislature, a law which amended Louisiana’s proprietary school law to exempt Yoga programs was signed by the Louisiana Governor in June 2011. The full legislative effort was resolved in less than three months, without a single article in the media. The champion of Louisiana’s efforts, Michael Morton, explained, “Throughout the legislative process, we ensured that no press was involved and actually avoided many contacts by the press. It was important to stay under the radar and not ruffle any feathers of our state legislature.”

Yoga Alliance congratulates the hard work of both Texas and Louisiana in successfully achieving exemptions in 2011. The fact that their playbooks for victory were so different offers an inspiring lesson for Yoga teacher trainings in other states looking to replicate their successes. If there is one piece of advice Michael Morton wants to share with Yoga teacher trainings facing state regulation, it is simply, “Finding a legislative solution doesn’t have to be costly and it doesn’t have to be a battle.” The legislative success falls on the heels of successful efforts in Virginia and New York who also won exemptions in 2010.

What We Can Do

We thank all of you who have extended your time already to share your thoughts with us. If you have experience with regulation in your state and would be open to speaking with us, please contact our community development team.

Along with our research, Yoga Alliance has recently launched YA+ , the professional society for Yoga teachers, schools and studios. YA+ will be able to serve the Yoga community in ways that go beyond the scope of YA, which include the potential for organizing grassroots and legislative lobbying, and creating voluntary certification programs.

The YA+ Community is an exclusive online space to connect with other Yoga teachers about issues we are facing. The online community now has state groups that will allow you to network with your peers and share information specific to your state.

Stay tuned for the full research report soon!

Sincerely,
Yoga Alliance