Comments on: New York Times Covers the ‘State Regulation of the Yoga Studio World’ Issue

By: An Update On The “Yoga Studio Licensing Issue” | Drishti - Yoga Clothing & Essentials

Tue, 18 Aug 2009 16:44:17 +0000

[...] the yoga studio licensing issue which we’ve discussed several times here on our blog? The gist is that in some states, [...]

By: Interesting News Items You Might Have Missed vol. 9 | Drishti - Yoga Clothing & Essentials

Thu, 06 Aug 2009 19:29:06 +0000

[...] Remember the whole “state licensing of yoga studio” fiasco which has been taking place in the great state of New York over the past few months? [...]

By: Interesting News Items You Might Have Missed vol. 8 | Drishti - Yoga Clothing & Essentials

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 00:54:11 +0000

[...] one of their advice columns. A couple of weeks later, they published an article on the hot topic of state regulation of yoga studios. (We discussed both of these NYT articles here on our blog when they were first published.) And [...]

By: jenni

jenni — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 19:36:10 +0000

Hmmm… This debate about yoga studio regulation is extremely interesting – and not, it seems, a black-or-white issue. I have to admit that I agree with Brian’s point that yoga studios do qualify as organizations for whom regulation is somewhat justifiable. Teacher training programs do, after all, teach a trade for which people earn money, just like other government-regulated trade schools do (i.e. massage schools). I’m not sure whether yoga studio regulation will result in any tangible benefits for studios or their students, but is it less fair to impose regulation on yoga businesses than on massage schools?

The issue is further complicated by the involvement of the Yoga Alliance, which has always been a somewhat controversial organization. The government’s decision to regulate an industry is one thing, but the Yoga Alliance – a seemingly arbitrary assemblage of people who decided to step forward one day and self-regulate the yoga world (vigilantes…?) and whose actual effectiveness has been questionable – is another.

All of that said, it seems likely that the government has more to gain from regulating yoga studios than the yoga world itself does (i.e. $$$). And money is probably the main motivating factor on their part. And it’s also unprofessional and quite scary of the regulators to have sent sudden, unexpected “cease-and-desist or pay $50,000″ letters to NY yoga studios. That is no way to endear oneself to these unsuspecting business owners!

It’s clearly a complicated issue for an equally complicated yoga community. What will happen next, guys?

By: Brian Monnier

Brian Monnier — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 18:57:28 +0000

I think that is just a matter of time. Studios (myself included) that do teacher trainings ARE producing a industry that does interact with the public at large. I believe that a enforceable set of educational standards and perhaps regulation should be done.

The yoga industry as whole I would say agrees. Thus the forming of the Yoga alliance. I personally have never liked the yoga alliance. They to me do not represent an organization that can make difference to quality teacher trainings. Just the opposite in fact. Nearly anyone can get their training listed and it has become (once again in my opinion) a sub par registry.

By making Yoga teachers get licensed with a state, the state can enforce rules on the things that plague our industry. Such as unethical behavior, cleanliness, studio which develop a reputation for high rates of injury and so forth. Much as the state bar for attorneys.

No that being said, it would really not be fun having to pay all the fees, which is where I feel the most resistance comes from.

By: yoga nation

yoga nation — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 20:35:20 +0000

Thanks for the ping Drishti. Liked your post, nice and succinct.

I do think all states might eventually feel the sting of this kind of initiative. Let’s hope New York’s fight sets a precedent for other states and other yogis–not just to ward off the State, but to band together and promote yoga from the point of view of experts. Let experts take the reigns rather than bureaucrats or profit machines.