Rohit Shishodia
Facing unemployment and non-regulation of their profession, teachers and trainers of Yoga and Naturopathy have demanded that the government should regulate Yoga and Naturopathy.

They have said that there are a number of Yoga and Naturopathy centers across India that are flourishing but there is no regulation on them. They said that there is no provision of license to Yoga trainers and Naturopathy practitioners.

Earlier, license to Yoga trainers and Naturopathy practitioners used to be given by Medical Council of India. But today there is no governing agency which registers practitioners of Yoga and Naturopathy.

They say that the government should create boards at national and state levels to regulate Yoga and Naturopathy so that right and eligible candidates can practice in the profession. They feel that their profession is not regulated then it will affect the health of people as they would not be guided by eligible people.

Due to this non-regulation, they are facing a major unemployment crisis. The person who is not familiar with Yoga runs centers, while those who are qualified are running from pillar to post to get a decent job.

The trainers also submitted a charter of demands to Minister of Ayush Sripad Naik and sought his urgent intervention to solve their problems. The minister assured to look into the matter.

They demanded that every hospital should appoint Yoga and Naturopathy practitioners in the institutions.

Dr Balmukund Shastri, President, International Society of Yoga and Naturopathy, told DTMT: “We demand formation of Yoga and Naturopathy Board at national and state levels, minimum qualification for Yoga teachers, abolishing of contractual system in Ayush, regularization of jobs of Yoga and Naturopathy trainers and compulsory registration of Bachelor of Naturopathy and Yoga Sciences and Diploma of Naturopathy and Yoga Sciences.”

Dr Shastri added, “Government should recommence provision of fund for Yoga and Naturopathy hospitals. This fund used to be given by Central Council for Research in Yoga and Naturopathy. Government should also make uniform eligibility criteria for appearing in exam for Yoga certification. The exam fee should be reduced from Rs 6000 to Rs 500. Checking of copies of this exam should be done under the supervision of Ayush ministry."