American Yoga Council Kick-Off Event Review

On Saturday, September 27th, a new organization, The American Yoga Council, hosted a live event to kick off their launch into the world. I listened to the whole 3.5 hours of the event, so you don’t have to. You can, of course, watch it yourself when the replay comes out (find out more here: American Yoga Council) but here are my thoughts.

First, a little about me so you know where I’m coming from: I have a communication studies degree—specifically organizational communication—and I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about how groups and organizations function. Add to that 20+ years of teaching yoga, 14 years as a practicing yoga therapist, co-founding a nonprofit focused on financial accessibility in yoga, running and selling a yoga studio, training teachers, and hosting a podcast about how we work in this industry. My whole adult life has been about working in yoga. You could say I have a weird passion for supporting the work we do.

So when someone runs a 3+ hour event about a yoga organization, you better believe I’m going to be there.

Now, here’s the thing: organizations don’t spring up fully formed. They’re built brick by brick, with intention (hopefully), a ton of labor, and—if we’re lucky—the magic combo of passion and moral compass. In the beginning, it’s just people with a vision and some hope that they can make a slice of the world better. Over time, with action and persistence, those people shape something bigger than themselves. But it doesn’t happen overnight.

With that in mind, here’s what I think the AYC is getting right, what raised my eyebrows, and what they flat-out need to improve. These are just my opinions, but I hope they give you something to chew on as we watch a group of yoga pros build something new for all of us.

What They’re Getting Right

1. They Are Us

With the recent appointment of IAYT’s new Executive Director, I think the need for “yoga-first” leadership is more critical than ever. And I’ll say with my whole ass chest that AYC leadership (Andrew Tanner especially) is yoga-first. His love and devotion to the practice are obvious.

Like a teacher’s union or farmer’s co-op, leadership should come from people who’ve lived our lives and done our work. Do they need to be teaching 15 classes a week right now? No. But should they know firsthand what it’s like to build a career in yoga?

Absolutely. Non-negotiable.

The trade-off other orgs have made—hiring leaders without lived yoga experience in the name of “professionalization”—is complete bullshit. Neither IAYT’s nor Yoga Alliance’s executive directors were ever professional yoga teachers or therapists. And to both of those orgs I say: fuck all the way off.

(Nope, not just “off.” I said alllll the way off. Keep going.)

If you think this industry lacks the talent to appoint leadership from within, go look at the thoughtful, nuanced discussions in the Facebook group I run. The brainpower is there, and then some.

That’s why I love that AYC is founded and led by us. This alone earns them some grace as they work through growing pains.

2. They’re Trying a New Model

AYC is a B-Corp—a for-profit structured for the public good. Interesting move. I suspect they’re aiming to be the credentialing body for yoga. Honestly, we need that. Training and credentials that actually matter is a problem begging for a solution.

Nonprofit structures can make decision-making excruciating. Everyone votes after what is usually a very lengthy discussion, the majority rules, and progress is almost always slow. But sometimes, quick decisions are essential—and nonprofits just aren’t built for speed.

AYC, on the other hand, is structured to be nimble. They’re also pledging to give a percentage of dues back to training schools and teachers—potentially strengthening the financial bottom line for those doing the heavy lifting of training and growing the industry.

Will it work? Who the hell knows.

Nobody knows until they try. Skepticism is fair, but this is new, and newness always comes with an awkward learning curve. I’m cautiously optimistic.

One suggestion: rotate advisory board members regularly. The yoga world can be clique-y as hell, and fresh perspectives matter. Everyone deserves a chance at the mic.

What Raised My Eyebrows

1. Tech Troubles & Professionalism

Yes, the tech was messy. Frustrating audio, clunky Zoom logistics—all compounded by the statement “we are a tech company first.”

But honestly, this isn’t just about glitchy Zoom. It’s about professionalism that we sorely need.

Some of us are negotiating contracts with hospitals, Fortune 100 companies, and government agencies. For more of that work to flow down to the rest of us, yoga needs to show up professionally.

So AYC, get obsessive about optics. Triple-check your tech. Set clear agendas. Elevate the standard so we have something to aspire to. You don’t need suits and ties, but you do need to show up polished and prepared.

2. The “2013 Energy”

The town hall had a wholesome, earnest vibe that reminded me of the early “shoebox money” yoga days of the 90s and 00s—long conversations about life, leaving inspired. Sweet, nostalgic. I kinda loved it.

But nostalgia can be tricky. Not everyone felt safe or seen in those days—especially folks of color, marginalized communities, and women dealing with predatory male teachers. That reality hasn’t gone away.

So sure, borrow some of the gentleness from back then. But let’s not pretend it was the golden age. COVID forced this industry to evolve, and in many ways, we’re stronger now. Bring the chai-fueled conversations and the sharper professionalism of today.

3. Public Protection

How will AYC help protect the public from predators? One panelist touched on this, but I want a real, concrete answer.

For now, my eyebrows are raised. And I promise to be a pain in the ass about this until it’s addressed.

Where They Need to Improve

1. Clarity of Purpose

This is the big one.

While insisting they aren’t Yoga Alliance, AYC mentioned Yoga Alliance 27 times. I counted. In fact, I stopped counting after a while. If I were PR at YA, I’d send them a fruit basket.

Here’s the truth: you don’t beat Yoga Alliance by watching them. You beat them by building your own clear, compelling vision.

Also, too much vague “behind-the-scenes” talk. It came across paranoid, like you were afraid to share anything. But the whole point of a for-profit is agility. Stop hedging. Say what you are. With your whole fucking chest.

Be the credentialing body. Be the registry. Then do it better. Be innovative enough that YA becomes the org people only join for pants discounts.

And I get it—Yoga Alliance has a long history of dirty play: hoarding resources, stealing ideas, and taking credit for other people’s good work. Look no further than what they did to the Accessible Yoga Association a couple of years ago. That’s the kind of player they are. So yes, be cautious. But at some point, too much caution just stops you from doing your actual work.

So say who and what you are with your full chest. And please, for the love of yoga: know what you’re doing so clearly you can explain it in two sentences. If you can’t, you don’t know it well enough yet.

As Jivana Heyman (Accessible Yoga Association’s founder) recently said, it’s hard work to make something simple. But you need to do that work. Be blunt, be clear, and don’t be scared of Yoga Alliance. They aren’t led by us, which means you’ll always be faster and more authentic. And yoga folks care deeply about authenticity.

2. South Asian Representation

In the year of our lord 2025, when asked why South Asian or Indian teachers aren’t on your advisory board, “the whole board isn’t here” is not a good enough answer. Did you answer this more and we couldn’t hear via Zoom?

South Asian representation on your advisory board is non-negotiable. Full stop. Yoga is not from here. It doesn’t belong to us. Representation is not optional—it’s foundational.

I know you know this. I think you know this. You know this…right?

Final Thoughts

The meeting was long, messy, and a work in progress.

Like us.

But like us, there’s potential and excitement. I want to see what the American Yoga Council builds and how it benefits the rest of us. We’re all in this together, babes.

Right now, they’re like a new teacher still reading their class sequence off a sheet of paper. But given who’s in the room, I suspect they’ll be teaching from the heart and to the class sooner rather than later.

xx,
R