What is happening at Yoga Alliance, and what do the recent changes mean for yoga teachers, teacher trainers, and the broader yoga community?
In this episode of The Mentor Sessions, I'm joined by Rebecca Sebastian, yoga teacher, yoga therapist, founder of Sunlight Media, and host of the Working in Yoga podcast. Rebecca has spent more than two decades working inside the yoga profession and has become an important voice examining the systems, economics, and culture that shape our industry.
With Yoga Alliance recently announcing significant changes to its credentialing structure, I wanted to bring Rebecca on to help us understand what's actually happening, why these changes matter, and what yoga teachers should be thinking about.
We unpack the shift from Yoga Alliance functioning primarily as a registry to moving toward a competency-based certification model, including the proposed 40-question test, the consolidation of existing credentials, and the introduction of specialty badges. We also discuss the decision to open membership to yoga students and what that could mean for the organization.
But this conversation goes well beyond the new credentials. We explore the importance of transparency and trust, the financial realities of working as a yoga teacher, and the growing disconnect between the organizations representing our profession and the people doing the actual work.
Rebecca also shares her perspective on the emerging American Yoga Council, whether yoga teachers really need professional designations, and the possibility of state-level yoga associations that give teachers a stronger voice in shaping their own futures.
One of the most important themes of this conversation is that the people doing the work deserve a say in the decisions that affect their profession. Rather than automatically supporting or rejecting any particular organization, Rebecca encourages us to ask questions, understand the mission, examine the financials, and consider whether we're actually receiving value from the organizations we support.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
The recent changes to Yoga Alliance's credentialing structure
The difference between a registry, a credentialing body, and a certifying organization
The proposed 40-question competency-based certification test
Why transparency and organizational trust matter
Yoga Alliance leadership salaries and the financial realities of yoga teachers
The American Yoga Council and emerging alternatives for yoga professionals
Whether yoga teachers actually need professional credentials or memberships
The importance of reputation, experience, and building trust with the public
What a 501(c)(6) trade organization is and what it means for its members
The potential for state-level yoga associations and collective advocacy
Connect with Rebecca:
Instagram: @RebeccaSebastianYoga
Resources Mentioned:
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Recent Podcast Episodes
What is happening at Yoga Alliance, and what do the recent changes mean for yoga teachers, teacher trainers, and the broader yoga community?
In this episode of The Mentor Sessions, I'm joined by Rebecca Sebastian, yoga teacher, yoga therapist, founder of Sunlight Media, and host of the Working in Yoga podcast. Rebecca has spent more than two decades working inside the yoga profession and has become an important voice examining the systems, economics, and culture that shape our industry.