Burlington Yoga Studio Introduces Controversial Enhancement Option

     Beginning in January, 2014, Evolution Yoga Studio in Burlington's South End will offer clients the option to pay $10 extra for ten personal adjustments during their class.  This practice, known as adjustment enhancement (AE) has long been an "under the table" source of income for yoga teachers, and is not without controversy.  The issue came to a head last week during a "community class", which is a class that is less expensive in order to encourage all members of a community to participate.  One student had paid an extra $40 to the teacher and received 40 adjustments throughout the class, which dominated the majority of the teacher's time and made many students feel uncomfortable.  The adjustments that yoga teachers perform on students during classes are assumed by most to be acts of teaching and goodwill, and many are upset to learn that the reason that they have not been receiving adjustments is because they have not slipped the teacher some money or trade.  "I always notice that certain people in my classes are getting adjusted constantly, and that I rarely receive any adjustments."  noted longtime Evolution client Dan Cahill.  "I assumed that it was because my form didn't need any work, or at worst that the teacher wasn't as comfortable approaching males, but I never would have guessed that there was money involved."  Some area teachers have been quick to say that they think that this practice is fundamentally unethical.  Emily Garrett of Laughing River Yoga Studio retorted "You go to a yoga class to work on yourself, but also to glean the energy of a group.  The leadership that channels this energy is fundamentally flawed if it is not looking at all clientele equally."
   A fissure has ruptured between those local studios who support AE's and those who don't.  Those who do, however, are still reluctant to advertise the service for fear that it will create division within classes.  As with so many things in life, the best way to approach your next yoga class may be with the old adage "ignorance is bliss".    

Evolution Yoga Studio teacher Kai Beckford adjusts student Emily Elverson while student Jake Hollenbach looks on.