To coincide with World Yoga Day which took place on June 21, a nationwide campaign has been launched to resuscitate the industry.
With their doors closed and a grim outlook forecasted for an industry that will be adversely affected by social distancing requirements, the Association of Irish Yoga Studios, of which Tricia Fleming, Hot Yoga Athlone is a committee member, was recently formed with the intention of reopening yoga studios nationwide and to keep an industry that was thriving just a few months ago, viable in the future.
They are highlighting that the higher VAT rate for individual service providers has been erroneously applied to yoga studios, businesses which have fixed overheads, running purpose designed facilities with associated costs, rates, insurance and staff wages.
It is estimated that more than 300,000 people practice yoga regularly in Ireland and rely on yoga for their physical and mental wellbeing.
Several yoga studios have closed permanently since April and the Minister of Finance must act now to save the rest of the yoga industry in Ireland.
The face of the local studio and industry will change drastically as we observe social distancing requirements but there is a small window of opportunity for the community to rally together to save these businesses.
‘Cut the vat so we can get back on the mat’ is the pertinent nationwide campaign motto.
