WHY DO WE NEED A YOGA REGISTER?

The Yoga Register is an initiative created by the Independent Yoga Network (IYN) to provide Registration for Yoga Teachers and Yoga Teacher Training Schools which meet a standard based on fundamental Yogic Principles.

It aims to inform the public and potential employers that registered teachers are safe, effective and authentic. It also aims to help those who aspire to become Yoga Teachers to find the highest quality of teacher training.

This initiative was initially thought to be necessary by members of the IYN because of moves on the part of the fitness industry to dominate Yoga Teaching and Yoga Teacher Training. The fitness industry bodies, Skills Active and Register of Exercise Professionals (REPS) have recently instituted the National Occupational Standard for Yoga, and are seeking to make this standard mandatory within the fitness industry and beyond, requiring Yoga Teachers to register with REPS. The British Wheel of Yoga is quite prepared to co-operate with and participate in this development.

The National Occupational Standard actually applies to the teaching of all fitness regimes at NVQ Level 3 thereby implying that Yoga is a fitness regime similar to Aerobics and Step Classes. Moreover, it implies that the fitness industry has the moral right to say who can and who cannot teach Yoga. It also claims that the fitness industry has a higher perspective on Yoga than Yogis themselves.

The IYN, however, believes that the National Occupational Standard is completely inappropriate for Yoga. Not only that, but we believe that it gives the wrong message to the public about the real nature of Yoga and will hinder its crucial movement into the mainstream of western culture and compromise its essential independence.

On the positive side, the Yoga Register offers Teachers and Teacher Training Schools the opportunity to express their solidarity and assist in the development and continued vitality of authentic, independent Yoga in the UK. It also enables Teachers and Teacher Training schools to present their work to their peers.

The IYN and The Yoga Register are committed to promoting and publicising its training standard. Both organisations are committed to diversity and will only seek the influence which comes from a well-earned reputation.

For further details of the debates about the future of Yoga and the history of the IYN and The Yoga Register see www.independentyoganetwork.org.