Yoga Bearish

This is an interesting variation on Missouri's theme. Last month, Missouri attempted to institute taxation of yoga studios. Various Hindu organizations countered with claims that yoga is a religion, and thus non-taxable. Loud voices in the studio community - largely run by Americans - said just the opposite, despite the fact that yoga is unquestionably the product of hindu, buddhist and jaina institutions in ancient India. But please don't tax us. At present, yoga instructor regulation occurs only through the Yoga Alliance. Their requirements are fairly stringent, but they do not guarantee that a given program adheres closely to them - nor are they inherently religious. Bottom line: the regulation and taxation issue boils down to whether or not yoga is or is not legally called a religion. It will be very interesting to see how all this shakes out.

I would say that the choice to do stupid things is true choice; there is no freedom in doing the popular thing, but saying that each paying customer is capable of making the right distinctions is an overestimation of intelligence. Suppose there are unaccredited certificate courses for yoga instructors, and some people even bite thinking that it will help them build a career. Surely people who avail of their newly educated services would care to see some accreditation. We can't possibly evaluate everything on a case by case basis, can we?

>>Woodley says it’s about ensuring that students who plunk down cash for training programs that can run a few thousand dollars are getting their money’s worth<<

With regulation -- probably a state licensing arrangement with inspections/oversight -- that few thousand dollars that those students are plunking down now will be sure to inrease [reduces yoga instructors or, at the very least, they'll pass on the compliance costs to students].

I'd like to say that I have no dog in this hunt [as I'm not into yoga and have half a brain] but the truth is, is that any liberty that could be lost should be challenged by those that love liberty. If we don't the state will swallow everything...and there won't be any easy way to plan our 'Escape'

The overlords (i.e., politicians) want to do this too here in the People's Republic of New York, under the pretense of helping consumers. It's all about the money, of course, or theft of it by the political class.

This development is depressing.

name a recent development that isn't.

"Woodley says it’s about ensuring that students who plunk down cash for training programs that can run a few thousand dollars are getting their money’s worth"

I'm so glad the guvmint is here to protect me! Muirgoo, you can run this on your blog as an example of the filial love the state has for us all.

And Ms. Woodley apparently completely oblivious to the irony of a government advocate or official concerned about people getting their money's worth.

Choice is overrated anyway. I say we have a group of experts just choose the best course of action for us all. They will make good educated choices because they are experts after all. Then we can all be free and happy with no care in the world. How wonderful would life be then!

/snark

Com'on Don,

It's not like we are talking about people who are actually educated to choice and personal responsibility.....my God man! They are looking out for all those public school educated people who are so helpless in the face of life decisions.

Do not rail against those who would make life easy for you by eliminating choice.