Big Success in Albany! But pressure still on

This just in! From Yoga for New York action committee:"Success! Terrific Success! The vote in the NYS Senate Higher Education Committee was a unanimous "YES" in support of S5701A - protecting yoga teacher training from burdensome and unnecessary government regulation and licensing.

Now what? More Committees to get through (remember in school learning about how a bill becomes a law - were are in it!!)  --- yup democracy requires a lot of work - we will keep you posted, of course, as working collaboratively on this is how we protect yoga!

What must we do now to keep the heat on? * Please Call Senator Carl Kruger, the Chair of the NYS Senate Finance Committee, the next Committee the bill is before @  (518) 455-2460* You will be connected to a representative of Senator Kruger who will take your message for the Senator.

Here’s the message script:

"My name is  _________________ I am calling Senator Kruger because he is the Chair of the Finance Committee. I urge his support for S.5701A which will protect yoga teacher training from burdensome government regulations, unfunded expenses on local government and ensure that yoga studios stay in business. Thank you"

What else do we need?

Very important: funding and donations to make sure the hard work in the State's capital continues.  Want to know how to donate or ideas for raising funds? Email action@yogaforny.org

Save the Date: Yoga Benefit & Silent Auction, Jan 21

This is no ordinary benefit. If you are going to donate to any cause this winter, this is the one. Protect yoga from state mandates! January 21---cocktails, hor d'ouevres, and silent auction at Chibo (info below). Save the date.Yoga for New York, a non-profit formed last summer to prevent state government regulation of yoga, needs to raise $25,000. That's a lot of cash. YFNY needs to hire a lobbyist to help pass legislation early this year that will help protect yoga from being defined by government officials who don't know anything about the practice.

Protect your practice! Protect your local studio.

Read more---and get the latest scoop on the issue---at Yoga City NYC.

Most of all, save the date:

Thursday, January 21stWhere:   Cibo Restaurant

Location:  767 2nd Ave. at 41st Street

When:     January 21, 2010

TIme:       6:30PM-8:30PM

Tickets:   $100 in advance, $125 at the door.

*Teachers will receive a special entry rate of $75 if paid before January 18th, 2010.

Silent Auction items include

• a weeklong stay at a Villa in Southern Italy

• a yoga retreat weekend at The Ananda Ashram

• dinner for two in the Theater District with actor/singer Dominic Chianese

• and much more!

Register at www.yogaforny.org/events Download invitation: Invite YFNY Jan Benefit

ATTEND THIS MEETING TODAY (if you're a new york yoga teacher)

Yo, New York yoga teachers! This meeting today is for you. I'm in Miami, but YOU need to be there!

"We need yoga teachers to help determine the future of yoga in NY. We are at risk of having our future decided for us, without our voice," say the organizers, the lovely Liz and Mel of Yoga High. "Whether you are for or against licensing, it is important we hear your thoughts and ideas on how we can all be involved in the process.  This will ensure that when regulation happens, it does so with intelligence, compassion and a deep respect for the yogic traditions."

They mean the issue of New York State passing legislation requiring yoga studios to obtain costly licenses to run teacher training programs. "So please come to a meeting specifically for NY yoga teachers to discuss licensing, health insurance, pay transparency and any other issues you feel passionate about. As a yoga teacher, dealing with these issues can sometimes be a very isolating experience. This is our chance to come together to talk about something that we love and how we can all continue to enjoy a yogic lifestyle."

IT’S CRUCIAL THAT WE COME TOGETHER NOW. YOGA IS AT RISK. EVERY SMALL STUDIO IS AT RISK OF CLOSING IF LICENSING PASSES WITHOUT US GETTING INVOLVED.

"This is our last chance to meet and discuss these issues before the vote goes to the state senate. We can use our collective voice to buy us time to have input into how, where, and when regulation happens. If not, yoga in NY will become very limited and there will be fewer choices and a bottom line corporate approach."

The meeting for just teachers will be Wed. January 6th 2010. 12 - 1pm.

"We encourage you to stay for the Yoga For NY meeting that will be held immediately following from 1-3pm."

The meetings will be held at YOGA HIGH 19 Clinton St. between Houston and Stanton. (Ave B turns into Clinton Street South of Houston) 212-792-5776F, V to 2nd Ave or F, J, M, Z to Delancey

***If you're a yoga teacher, please forward this on to other teachers you know and to studio owners where you teach."

THANKS everyone. (Non-yogis welcome to volunteer for Yoga for New York, too, you know.)