New York Times Unconventional Twist in Yoga: Younger Teachers

As the yoga boom continues in the United States, the demand for teachers has accelerated, meaning that many have not followed the traditional path of decades of study and the slow acquisition of gravitas, which some say is necessary to attract students. The number of registered yoga teachers has increased sixfold, to 15,329 in 2006, up from 2,521 in 2001, according to Yoga Alliance, a national trade group.

As a fifty-some student, I find it ironic that my yoga teachers are frequently half my age. I do not expect my teachers to impart wisdom during the class. Probably more important is how long they have been practicing yoga. At Flow Yoga, they are requiring a minimum of two-years' experience teaching.