PROTECTING YOGA STUDIOS

last year, yoga studios received letters from the state's education department demanding licenses for instructors and promising stiff fines for violations.

the state since dropped the regulation after a bill was introduced to protect yoga studios. but the legislation sponsored by state sen. eric schneiderman and assembly member linda rosenthal recently passed both legislative chambers, ensuring that such licensing will never be required.

the bill aims to prevent yoga instruction studios from being fined for employing unlicensed teachers.

"i am pleased to put an end to this mistaken interpretation of existing law that would imperil new york's thriving yoga community," rosenthal said.

schneiderman called the state education department's original regulation "onerous" and said it could have forced some studios to close.

"this common sense bill ensures that yoga studios from buffalo to brookhaven can operate in peace once again," schneiderman said in a statement.