Yoga News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – August 25, 2009
CONTACT: Christina Harvey; 914.263.4443
Yoga Studios To Breathe Easier
After State Regulators End Harassment
Sen. Schneiderman and Assm. Rosenthal Applaud Education Department’s Reversal
NEW YORK – In response to the advocacy of Senator Eric T. Schneiderman and Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal on behalf of New York’s yoga community, the State Education Department announced it will suspend burdensome licensing requirements for yoga instructors that carried penalties of $50,000 for noncompliance. The reversal comes months after the Department accused yoga studios of violating the law by training new instructors without a license, despite the fact that such licenses have never been required before.
“The message from the community has been loud and clear: get your government hands off my yoga mat. Next time, the state will think twice before threatening a practice that brings so much tranquility to New Yorkers,” said Sen. Schneiderman (D-Manhattan/Bronx). “The Education Department did the right thing by suspending these onerous, arbitrary regulations that threatened the livelihood of yoga studios throughout the state.”
In May, the Department of Education sent letters ordering yoga centers that train instructors to stop operating immediately and not reopen until the studios undergo a lengthy, state-run curriculum approval process. In response, Sen. Schneiderman introduced a bill (S.5701) that amends section 5001 of the state education law to include licensing exemptions for the instruction of students who enroll in courses “for the purposes of leisure, hobby, or personal enrichment,” including yoga. Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal (D/WF- Manhattan) is the bill’s lead sponsor in the Assembly. After the bills were introduced, the Education Department backed down. S.5701 passed the Senate Higher Education Committee and is now awaiting a vote in the full Senate. Citing its support for the Schneiderman/Rosenthal legislation, the Education Department wrote in its letter, “we are suspending any licensing requirements pending action by the New York State Legislature. At this time, we will not require licensure nor will we pursue any organization offering this training as an unlicensed school.”
“I am relieved that the State Education Department has agreed to abandon its stance demanding licensure of yoga instructors," said Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal. "The prospect of the state shutting down yoga studios caused a lot of worry and anxiety; the resolution of this situation will allow all those involved with yoga to continue its healthful and stress-relieving practice, unfettered by government intervention.”
“I am proud to say that the State Education Department has achieved supreme awareness and enlightenment on this issue,” Schneiderman added.
The State Education Department’s letter to yoga studios is available at:
join the fight!
In the past couple of months many of you may have heard that New York State has decided to regulate yoga teacher trainings.
This regulation is the beginning of licensing trainings, studios and then eventually individual teachers. Many of us in the yoga community have come together and started a new not-for-profit organization to fight these regulations. The Yoga for New York is going to be the backbone of yoga in New York and already has a strong influence on this issue.
If you are interested in the issue, and feel that New Yoga State should not have any right to tell us how to teach yoga, please take a look at the attached information and join Yoga for New York.
A new website is coming soon. Meanwhile, we are still posting updates at this link below.
click here for information
click here for the Yoga for New York Membership form
New York Times Article
I am so pleased to announce that Yoga Haven won reader's pick for the best yoga studio for Westchester Magazine!
Thank you to all the teachers, staff and especially the students for making Yoga Haven a place where like-minded people can come and explore the many aspects of yoga, in relationship to their body, mind and spirit.
This is the 4th time we have won in the past 11 years, and as always I am so surprised and thrilled.
It is an honor to be part of something so meaningful in my life and many others.
Om Shanti,
Betsy Kase, Director/Owner