Are you considering training to be a yoga teacher but aren't sure where to start? With a host of options, letters and abbreviations for the various yoga-related governing and accreditation bodies - the BWY, REPS, IYN, Yoga Alliance UK and USA - it's hardly surprising that confusion reigns. Anne-Marie Newland, founder of Sunpower Yoga, offers a resume of the main accreditation options in the UK.
BWY - The British Wheel of Yoga
The BWY has been awarded the title 'Governing Body of Yoga In Great Britain' by Sports council/Sport England. The Sports Council are entitled to give awards. The BWY were the only yoga body to approach them for this title; and some argue they were awarded it for this reason. The BWY Diploma is recognised in the UK and by REPS, the Register of Exercise Professionals. BWY is not widely recognised in the USA, Australia or NZ, though the diploma course is recognised by all other awarding bodies in the UK.
REPS level 3
REPS means The Register of Exercise Professionals and was set up to improvie the standards of yoga taught in the health clubs and gyms of the UK. This register monitors teachers' qualifications and training. They do a great job; but for some teachers who trained all over the world or in traditional schools in India, for instance, this has been difficult. REPS membership has now spread to Europe. With a Level 3 REPS qualification you can work anywhere in the UK and Europe.
Yoga Alliance USA
This well-established and respected body was one of the first to standardise training schools and teachers in the world as a well oiled machine. The organsation came under great criticism by fellow American yoga schools and international bodies for not being strict enough. They have now raised entry requirements dramatically and improved their status. Yoga Alliance USA is well respected in most countries including China. However they are not strictly recognised here as the BWY is the Governing Body.
Yoga Alliance UK
Yoga Alliance UK are not part of the Yoga Alliance USA. There has been great confusion as many teachers, students and prospective teachers have thought that Yoga Alliance USA had opened an office here in the UK. This body do the same as other registration and standards panels and offer a membership scheme to support teachers. Yoga Union is the birth mother and The Yoga Union Teacher training is aligned to this.
IYN - Independent Yoga Network
The IYN, Independent Yoga Network was set up to give a balance in the yoga community, as BWY seemed to be the only route to training. It is made up of modern and traditional yoga schools; some long established who have resisted the big guns and kept yoga independent. They offer membership to teachers, students and training schools.
As a Representative for the European Yoga Alliance and the International Yoga Federation in the UK, Anne-Marie Newland has to keep abreast of all that goes on and has tried to be impartial in her appraisal and information.
If you need more advice, please contact her through
www.sun-power-yoga.co.uk
or email: yoga@sun-power-yoga.co.uk
_0.jpg "Dancer Pose: Nataraja")
