The budget announcement to include yoga under charitable activities has been appreciated by yoga practitioners in Mysuru.
“I don’t know the finer details of the budget announcement, but I presume that the institutions were going to get tax exemptions. This is a big step towards encouraging the ancient art,” said yoga exponent Sharath Jois of Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute in Mysuru.
His grandfather, the late K. Pattabhi Jois, a famous yoga exponent, had inspired a large number of students from the U.S. and Europe to learn yoga.
Pop star Madonna, rock icon Sting and Hollywood actor Gwyneth Paltrow were among the disciples of the late Jois. The institute founded by him, which is now run by Mr. Sharath, trains at least 1,000 enthusiasts from India and abroad.
Mr. Sharath, who tours the U.S. once a year to teach yoga, said, “If there is no service tax on yoga classes, it will largely benefit students. It will also help in promoting yoga among foreign nationals.”
Mr. Sharath felt that the move will also promote wellness tourism.
‘If there is no service tax on yoga classes, it will help in promoting the ancient art among foreign nationals’
