136 Spirituality Studies Specifically, they pointed out the brief, superficial instructor training, which primarily focuses on gaining competencies in modern āsana-based yoga. However, participants disagreed in their attitudes towards continuous training, which largely reflected their views of yoga itself. Some did not deem it necessary to seek additional training, as long as they only act as instructors for physical yoga classes. Nevertheless, those who practiced traditional yoga held a different view: for those who approach yoga as a method of cultivating both the body and the mind, the basic training at the requalification level is insufficient. Both viewpoints illustrated the respective individuals’ approaches to additional training in the field. Finance and life priorities were also major factors in deciding whether to seek additional yoga training. The participants’ familial and financial situations were limiting factors in the further development of their qualifications. They also observed that any additional training for yoga instructors is purely optional and part of their yogic journey. Given the current culture in this field, it is not plausible to propose any control mechanisms, as there is no general consensus on what yoga is or what a yoga instructor should be capable of. The responsibility, therefore, lies with private training institutions, which can influence the qualifications of their graduates. This situation may also raise questions about the relationship between training structures and the institutional interests of training providers. The MŠMT maintains only a registry of facilities that it has accredited. There are no records of individual graduates, nor is there an independent source to verify the corresponding qualifications. This study documents how participating instructors describe the tension between traditional textual formulations of yoga and contemporary institutional practice. Although such divergences and trends have occurred throughout history, participants expressed doubts about the current training systems for yoga instructors, which they felt does not provide sufficient education on the historical development of yoga and therefore fails to connect the traditional approach with the modern one. The separation of these aspects leads to an ever-increasing diversification of the field. Discussions regarding standards for yoga instructor education continue within yoga teaching communities and professional organizations. The current version of qualification standards, revised in 2023, is unlikely to represent a definitive form of professional regulation in contemporary yoga contexts. The findings of this study offer insight into how practicing instructors perceive and interpret such issues. In addition, these developments raise the question of whether modern āsana-based yoga should be understood as a continuation of older yogic traditions or as a distinct contemporary practice shaped by fitness culture. With that, the stage has been set for a more public discussion. Acknowledgements The study was conducted in accordance with the ethical guidelines of Masaryk University, Faculty of Sports Studies. As the research involved adult professionals participating in a voluntary discussion without sensitive medical or vulnerable data, formal ethics committee approval was not required under institutional regulations. Nevertheless, all ethical standards for qualitative research were strictly observed. Informed consent was obtained from all participants before data collection. Participants provided consent for audio recording and the anonymized use of their statements for research purposes. Audio recordings and transcripts were stored securely and accessible only to the researcher. All data were anonymized prior to analysis and publication.
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