If you haven’t already heard, there’s some hubbub happening about the state (specifically, the Texas Workforce Commission) regulating the yoga industry here. The law on the table would allow the TWC to regulate yoga studios with teacher training programs, since this qualifies them as “post-secondary career school or college.”
The Texas Yoga Association does not support this change and has created a petition against the passing of this bill — 1,500 Texans have signed it so far. To further peacefully demonstrate their stance, the TYA is organizing a massive group practice on the lawn of the Capitol Building today from 5:30-7pm. Anyone is welcome to join.
Why is the TYA against the pending law? Its President and Executive Director Jennifer Buergermeister said in a press release: “Regulation by the Texas Workforce Commission is not appropriate for yoga studios and does not benefit yoga students. Regardless of what stance is taken on this important issue, of whether or not there should be some standards regarding what a yoga teacher training program consists of, the State of Texas (Texas Workforce Commission) is not the proper entity to make that determination. By staging this peaceful demonstration, we hope to keep regulation out of our over 5,000 year old tradition.”
Very good points. I agree.
This same debate has happened in other states as well (it was kicking in New York two years ago when I was moving to Austin), and some have argued that the states’ involvement is really about getting a cut of the growing, profitable yoga industry.
However, some studios here in Austin feel that TWC regulation is not a bad thing. In fact, they argue that it legitimizes teaching yoga as a profession, as a viable trade that should be supported and recognized by our government. (If you are among these, please chime in with a comment below; I regretfully didn’t have time to speak to anyone individually.)
Also a good point. I agree here as well.
It’s an interesting place to be: I want to practice yoga on the Capitol south lawn with a huge group of people — it’s an amazing experience — but I’m still a bit ambivalent about what I’ll be endorsing. Does that mean I shouldn’t practice? That I should?
All of a sudden, yoga’s gone political.
Or has it? Regardless of when and where you practice, yoga is yoga. It’s a tuning in to the the infinite — to the eye inside that sees the totality of every situation. And this divine part of us is downright amused by (and also compassionate towards) our human attachments to any particular outcome or identity.
Sometimes it’s so funny being human and divine all at once, isn’t it?
See you at the Capitol.
photo credit: jjwright85 (top)
photo credit: Rbrammer (bottom)