By Jennifer Buergermeister and Chiza Alba

Author of The Healing Path of Yoga, Nischala Joy Devi, said, “With humility, we embrace the sacredness through the study of Yoga.” An open mind and heart will follow.

“Yoga” is a derivative of a Sanskrit word meaning “unity.” Many yoga practitioners will define yoga as a series of stretching and strengthening postures, known as asana, used in combination with meditation and breathing techniques. What they describe is actually Hatha Yoga, the yoga of postures. This popular form is only one branch of the yogic tradition. There are many branches on the yogic tree, much like the tree of life. But they share in a complete sense that yoga is about unification.

Yoga and the Texas Workforce Commission

Recently, yoga teacher training programs in Austin, Texas became subject to scrutiny of the Texas Workforce Commission, resulting in administrative nightmares, financial burdens and ultimately a number of facilities choosing to shut down operations completely. The Texas Workforce Commission first contacted Austin yoga teacher training programs with a demand letter alleging that teacher trainings were subject to career school regulations and licensing requirements of Title 3, Texas Education Code, Chapter 132. This letter required that the yoga teacher trainings be brought into compliance with the regulations or be prepared for the enforcement of penalties against them if they did not seek compliance.