YOGA TEACHING PROFESSION GROWS ALONG WITH INTERST IN YOGA
Yoga Yoga Teacher Training responds to demand with new location, program change.

Austin, Texas - (May 5, 2005) The growth in the number of Americans practicing yoga, up 43% from 2002 according to a study sponsored by Yoga Journal magazine, is reflected in the growth of yoga teachers. NAMASTA, the North American Studio Alliance which is an organization for mind-body professionals, estimates that currently there are 70,000 yoga teachers in North America. More than 70 yoga instructors teach at Yoga Yoga.

In response to increasing demand for yoga teacher training, Yoga Yoga Teacher Training (YYTT) relocated to Yoga Yoga South, 1700 South Lamar, in May of 2005. YYTT's new site, which is Yoga Yoga's original location that opened in 1998, provides additional space for staff offices along with more access to classrooms. While a limited number of public classes continue to be offered at Yoga Yoga South, YYTT occupies the majority of the center.

In addition to a change in location, feedback from students spurred a major program change for YYTT. Students now have the option to complete the nine-month Hatha teacher training program by attending class only one weekend a month instead of the multiple weekends that were required in the past, making the training more accessible for out-of-town students.

The top three reasons students give for registering in the YYTT program are to supplement a current career, to make a major career change, or to deepen their yoga practice. "Our largest demographic is women over 40 who are retired or looking for a career change," says Kisha Conroy, managing director of YYTT. "However, there are a growing number of men and people under 35 going through our program."