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21 Staggering Yoga Demographics

Yoga used to be a comprehensive spiritual practice. Today it is one of the largest growth industries in the world today. Even the WWE requires new trainees to attend Yoga sessions as part of their initial training. If professional wrestlers are doing it, are you?

More than 24 million people are believed to be practicing Yoga in the United States right now.

Although that seems like a lot, it represents just 7% of the population. In some areas in the APAC region, participation levels can reach 20%. It seems like everyone is embracing what Yoga is able to provide. It transcends virtually every demographic that exists, yet there are still some groups more likely to practice Yoga than others.

Who Enjoys Yoga The Most?

  • Women outnumber men who practice Yoga 3 to 1.
  • People over the age of 65 are the largest age demographic that is underrepresented when it comes to Yoga participation.
  • There is a direct correlation to the amount of annual household income and the likelihood of participating in Yoga classes. 68% of those who practice Yoga make at least $75,000 per year.
  • 3% of children in the US participate in Yoga classes on a regular basis.
  • Since 2012, Medicare programs which include cardiac rehabilitation are covering Yoga classes as a health benefit.
  • 41% of those who practice Yoga are in the 35-54 age demographic.
  • 71% of those who regularly attend Yoga classes have at least one college degree.

Yoga continues to grow, adding 4 million practitioners in the last 5 years. This makes Yoga as popular as golf in the United States. Although women outnumber men dramatically in this area, the times are changing. There are men-specific stores selling Yoga outfits today. Space has become so tight in some studios that people are fighting over mat placement. As incomes rise, so does the desire to experience mindfulness. This is what attracts people to Yoga.

Where Is Yoga Being Practiced?

  • People in the Northeast and the Midwest [30% each] are more likely to practice Yoga than people living along the West Coast [20%].
  • Every region of the US is experiencing a 20% annual growth in the participation levels of those who regularly practice Yoga.
  • More than $10 billion is spent every year in the United States on Yoga-specific products.
  • 87% of those who practice Yoga say that they have increased their spending on items for their classes over the last 5 years.
  • 44% of adults over the age of 18 state that they have an interest in Yoga even though they are not currently practicing it.
  • Only 1% of those practicing Yoga state that they are in training to become a Yoga instructor one day. 40% of participants rate their skill levels as being intermediate.
  • 47% of people practice Yoga at home.

Yoga can be something that is intensely personal. It can also be a unique social event. Outside of the home, health clubs and fitness centers are the most popular places to practice Yoga. Today even community centers are slightly more popular [11.7%] than Yoga studios [11.2%] for attending classes. Why is this?

What Matters When Practicing Yoga?

  • 70.5% of people say that the cleanliness of a Yoga facility is a determining factor to them taking a class there.
  • 59% of Yoga practitioners say that the convenience of a studio’s location is an important part of their routine.
  • Space, value, cost, and the availability of parking all rank above 40% in importance when determining where to practice Yoga on a regular basis.
  • On the other end of the spectrum, sales is a major turnoff for people who practice Yoga. Having food and beverage services, access to apparel, and having extended classes of 90 minutes or more are considered the least important attributes.
  • 20% of people don’t even know what type of Yoga they practice the most. In the US, Vinyasa is the most popular format, practiced by 45% of participants.
  • 78% of people say they take their first Yoga class to work on their flexibility. Only 13% are taking Yoga classes because of a medical condition.

Yoga can be a successful business opportunity. It can also be a way to successfully improve personal health. Strength, stress relief, and even spiritual development are all possibilities with the right Yoga class. The demographics of Yoga are quite varied, but one things remains the same no matter what: people take Yoga classes because they are looking to improve their lives in some way.

Yoga in the US

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