Working alongside SkillsActive, the Sector Skills Council for Active Leisure and Learning, the Register of exercise Professionals (REPs) is involved in the launch of an industry-wide consultation for yoga.

Members of all major yoga disciplines have been invited to get involved.

Once complete, the consultation will form the basis for yoga specific National Occupational Standards which will become a national qualification at level 3 for teaching yoga.

Producing the national standards is the first step in the process which will allow yoga schools to submit their courses for approval to give entry to the Register.

It is hoped the new qualification will be accepted as the standard for all major yoga training providers, but covering the diverse range and styles of yoga.

SkillsActive and REPs are now encouraging as many yoga organisations as possible to provide a response to the consultation with a finalising of the standards later this month.

This will be the first step in achieving an agreed criteria and system of submission and evaluation for yoga training awards to give entry to REPs – probably by providers submitting through the industry award route or working with an awarding body.

SkillsActive’s qualifications and standards manager, Ben Gittus said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for UK yoga organisations to lead the way in developing a yoga specific standard which can be used for recognition of yoga teachers throughout the fitness industry.”