Yoga magazine deserves many thanks for publishing two articles in its October edition which represent opposing stances on the issue of the regulation of Yoga teaching. This debate urgently needs to be had within the Yoga Community, particularly amongst those involved in teaching.

Paul Fox argued that the practical way forward for Yoga now is for the British Wheel of Yoga to control Yoga in the UK through its liaison with The Register of Exercise Professionals (REP) and Skillsactive. An author writing on behalf of the Kevala Institute argued that the situation as it stands is potentially bad for Yoga generally, with one organisation moving to dominate the scene.

As a Yogi with over thirty years of experience, I have little sympathy with Paul Fox’s view and believe it will be a disaster for Yoga if it prevails. Here are my reasons for thinking this way.

Firstly, it cannot be a good thing for either Yoga or the world for good Yoga teachers to be put out of work and for good Teacher Training programmes to discontinue because potential candidates have been discouraged by articles like Mr. Fox’s. Surely we need more Yogis not fewer.

Second, it cannot be a good thing that the diversity of Yoga and the creativity that enables it to continually flourish and develop is attenuated by the dominance of an unrepresentative body.

Thirdly, REP and Skillsactive are not the natural home for Yoga. These bodies are concerned with sport, fitness, outdoor activities and caravanning (yes, really!) and are not equipped to appraise Yoga. Yoga, given its defining concern with spirituality, clearly belongs to a different class of activity. We should also note that Skillsactive represents the interests of corporate bodies involved in the “fitness industry”. This is made clear on the Skillsactive website: “It has been established by Employers in; Sport and Recreation, Health and Fitness, Playwork, The Outdoors and the Caravan Industries”. (my italics.) Furthermore, it is charged by Government to improve the productivity of this sector. (my italics.) To fully get the picture, look at the CVs of the Trustees of Skillsactive on its web site and note the preponderance of fitness industry figures. I am sure these are good people, but they are not qualified to have power over Yoga.

Fourthly, the attempt by a single body to marginalise other schools and teachers is bound to prove divisive for the Yoga community. This is the last thing Yoga needs and it is certainly the last thing the world needs for those who preach compassion and unity to begin fighting amongst themselves.

But even if Paul Fox is right, and British Wheel hegemony is the practical (i.e. easy) way forward, the situation remains bad and it remains bad for ethical reasons. Firstly, if things pan out as Mr. Fox predicts, there will be a conflict of interests within the regulating body because the body regulating training will also itself be a provider of training. Such a situation is rightly thought to be unhealthy and unfair by all other regulatory bodies in pretty well every field that has such a body and is not permitted. There is no reason why Yoga should be an exception to this ethical principle.

Secondly, as the Kevala author intimates, the BWY is self-appointed. It is the governing body because it says so. (No, I haven’t forgotten that the Sports Council says so too – but again, what has Yoga to do with sport? This simply cannot be taken seriously.) If Mr Fox’s self-fulfilling prophesy comes about, the BWY will have become the governing body because its ceaseless propaganda and lobbying will have born fruit. It will not be because the Yoga Community at large has consented. It has not consented as is evidenced by the fact that many teachers, schools and organisations have chosen to keep it at a distance. It is unethical to take over the Yoga Community without its consent, and doubly unethical if this has been achieved through a propaganda exercise.

So what is the way forward? I think that British Yoga needs an organisation similar to the US based Yoga Alliance. It would be a voluntary alliance of Yoga schools from across the broad spectrum which would honour diversity in Yoga. It would register teachers who have met an agreed minimum standard of training which is flexible enough to accommodate the diversity of approaches, and it would also register schools that provide this training. People who have had training from a variety of sources would also be able to register provided they could demonstrate that they had met the standards. It would not itself provide training. It would represent the interests of its members to government, REP if necessary, to gym owners, studio owners etc and it would publicise its standards and generally educate the public about Yoga. I think this would protect the public and protect Yoga from outside interference or domination by one group with a vested interest, thereby allowing it to maintain its vitality and continue to develop. Ideally, this group would bypass REP and go straight to the public with reassurance, accurate information and an open-hearted willingness to share the blessings of Yoga. However, if it was necessary to work through REP, then this could be done. (If REP has entered a closed-shop agreement with BWY, it should be taken to task.)

How then to realise this? I think a good first step would be to hold a conference bringing together as many Yogis concerned with teacher training as possible to weigh the arguments and develop a way forward which is in keeping with the fundamental nature of Yoga.

In the meantime, I would advise people thinking of doing Teacher Training with non-BWY teachers who they are inspired by and resonate with and who are evidently doing good, rigorous work, to going ahead. At least if you are a free spirit! You will not be doing anything illegal. It would certainly be an injustice if you did not have an equal opportunity to work in a gym or adult college, but, in reality, no great loss to you. (Generally, these are frustrating places to work in.) I’m sure discerning Yoga studio owners will see through the limitations of registration as it stands and employ you (if you are good!). Anyway, the best teaching environment is a space of your own creation. I taught some of my first classes to a few friends at home and it was a wonderful experience and such a contrast from teaching in a cold, noisy and flashy but soulless fitness centre.

To Teacher Training schools thinking of affiliating with the BWY, I would say don’t, that is unless you want to be party to the eventual corporate and bureaucratic dominance of Yoga. Remember, Yoga is radical freedom and the very antithesis of bureaucracy, fundamentalism and business for business’ sake.

I’m interested in continuing this conversation with anyone, whether they are for or against what I’ve said. Contact pete@heartyoga.co.uk.

Peter Yates RYT

The above contribution represents the personal views/researches of the author - a founder member of: www.independentyoganetwork.org. Peter Yates may be contacted directly at: yabyum@connectfree.co.uk or www.heartyoga.co.uk at the Parkdale Yoga Centre (International tel: + 44 1902 424048 UK tel: 01902 424048).

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