Va. law to exempt yoga teachers

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell has signed legislation that will exempt yoga teacher-training programs from state regulations.

The state's higher education council had sought to regulate programs in which students were trained to be yoga teachers, just as it does other vocational programs.

But many Virginia yogis said the regulations, including a required $2,500 application fee, were overly burdensome. And several yoga teachers had filed a federal lawsuit arguing the proposed regulations hindered free speech protections.

The bill exempting yoga from the regulations passed unanimously in both houses of the Virginia Legislature and McDonnell signed the measure Tuesday night. The law takes effect July 1.