And the new Secretary of Yoga Sciences is...

My friend Staci posted a link to this article on her Facebook page.

The focus of the article is a move by some states to go after yoga studios which offer teacher training programs in an effort to subject them to the same licensing rules which apply to other vocational schools. This has caused a push-back from the yoga community, and so far some states like New York, have backed off. Other states, like Michigan and Virginia, are still pursuing studios. Some studios have even been forced to close due to the amount of red tape and the high cost of licensing fees.

About 10 years ago, a group called the Yoga Alliance was formed as a voluntary registry for yoga schools who agreed to certain minimum levels of standards of training partly based on the ethical precepts of yoga philosophy, as a way to self-regulate and and avoid the very issue of government regulation and licensing. Currently, there are around 1,000 schools nationwide registered with the Yoga Alliance. Ironically, it was this very listing which prompted state officials to start investigating this arena.

Personally, I'm a bit on the fence on this one. My knee-jerk reaction is "NO REGULATION!" It seems to me that government could actually benefit from a little pranayama and some observance of the yamas and niyamas, besides with the wide variety of approaches to yoga practice ranging from the very physical forms of hatha yoga to practices which are more meditative and philosophical in nature, how would one go about coming up for a set of standards for everyone? They more than likely would have to rely on the standards set by the Yoga Alliance...so then why add this new layer of bureaucracy?

On the other hand, yoga has started to become very mainstream. I get asked several times a year about teacher training programs I would recommend. In the past year, I've seen three or four new studios open in Central Indiana (and those are just the ones I can think of off the top of my head). I've taken classes with teachers, both here and outside of Indiana, whose training I question, and in some cases, who I thought were downright dangerous. And, as Sybil Killian (who is the general manager of OM Yoga Center in NY...yes, where I got my training...) pointed out in the article, “Make no mistake, ladies and gentlemen, yoga is an industry. One need only leaf through the advertising section of Yoga Journal to know that.” Even though most privately owned yoga studios barely make enough to keep their doors open, yoga as an industry is making huge money. We've been convinced that it's okay to spend $100 or more on a pair of yoga pants...that somehow the $75 sport top with the cute spaghetti straps will make your Downward-Facing Dog more dynamic. Maybe somebody does need to keep a closer eye on things…

But the real problem I found in the article was that some opponents of licensing and regulation cite “religious infringement” and that new rules might “contradict religious underpinnings.” HUH?!?!?

OK…so, I admit, this question comes up a lot. And, depending on who you talk to, you will get many and varied perspectives. I think my favorite answer comes from Doug Swenson who said in a workshop that while many treat yoga as a religion, the practice of yoga is not in and of itself a religious practice. Because of it’s origins, the practice borrows from Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism, much like Alcoholics Anonymous borrowed it’s steps and concepts from many western religions. Yoga is a practice which helps us unify our bodies, minds and spirits. It’s precepts and ethical practices are spiritual in nature, however it’s practice is personal and self-exploratory. You do not have to believe in any particular deity, nor are you forced to follow any specific rules of diet or observance, though many practitioners do explore various belief systems and dietary restrictions which support their own personal ethics and choices. (Here is a link to a great article by Georg Feuerstein on this subject)

The problem that I see with defending yoga from regulation by calling it a religion is that it becomes exclusionary. Now, in order to become licensed, will I have to prescribe to a set of beliefs which I don’t hold? Will I be obligated to follow certain dietary restrictions and observances which don’t have relevance to my life? In the Midwest, we’re still struggling against fears and prejudices held by those who practice western religions such as Catholicism, Christianity and Judaism. I have been told on more than a few occasions that someone can’t try a yoga class because it’s against their religion. The ironic thing is that many people find that their yoga practice supports and enhances their religious practice. Declaring yoga a religion simply to avoid regulation will further enlarge that schism, and many who might benefit from the physical, mental and spiritual benefits of yoga practice may turn away in fear or ignorance.

It seems that it may only be a matter of time before government regulation and licensing become a reality. As with most things, there will be unexpected consequences both positive and negative. The important thing, for me, is to keep the practice of yoga inclusive. There is room for everyone, from Christian to Hindu; from Ashtangi to Raja Yogi.