PULSE POINTS
2016 Yoga in American Studies Indicates
Significant Increase of Yoga Practitioners
ccording to the 2016 Yoga in America Study,
yoga practitioners have increased to more than
36.7 million, significantly more compared to
the estimated 20.4 million yoga practitioners
in 2012.
Commissioned by Yoga Journal and Yoga Alliance, the study
indicates that 72 percent of yoga practitioners are female, but
there’s a growing interest among male and older demographics. In
fact, 34 percent of surveyed respondents said they are likely to try
yoga for the first time in the next 12 months.
From a business standpoint, there’s more positive news for spa
and fitness centers. With the growth in numbers, yoga practitioners are not only more willing to spend on yoga classes, but
are also spending on yoga apparel, equipment, and accessories.
In fact, total yoga-related spending rose to US$16 billion, up from
US$10 billion over the past four years.
Additional key data from the study include:
l Practitioners are significantly more involved in many other
forms of exercise, such as running, cycling and weightlifting,
than nonpractitioners.
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The 30- to 49-year-olds make up 43 percent of the practicing
public, followed by those ages 50 and above (38 percent) and
18- to 29-year-olds (19 percent).
74 percent of American practitioners have been doing yoga for
five or fewer years.
The top five reasons for starting yoga are: flexibility (61
percent), stress relief (56 percent), general fitness (49
percent), improve overall health (49 percent), and physical
fitness (44 percent).
86 percent of practitioners self-report having a strong sense of
mental clarity, 73 percent report being physically strong, and
79 percent give back to their communities.
Respondents surveyed agree that warm and friendly
demeanor, clarity, and knowledge of yoga poses are characteristics that make for a great yoga teacher.
Two yoga practitioners in every one current teacher is
interested of becoming a yoga teacher.
Half of yoga teachers have been teaching for more than six
years. n