41 Yoga Statistics: How Many People Practice Yoga?

How many people practice yoga in America?

It’s estimated that 34.4 million people practice yoga in America.

According to an estimate by Statista, that’s an incredible 10% of the current US population, making yoga more popular than golf!

Another survey, conducted by the Yoga Alliance and Yoga Journal, found that one in three Americans have tried yoga at least once.

Are more people practicing yoga?

The number of Americans practicing yoga grew by 63.8% in the last 12 years.

Statista report the number of people practicing yoga in 2010 was 21 million rising to 34.4 million in 2021.

In fact, yoga popularity stats show that 15% of Americans have practiced yoga in the last six months.

Yoga was also declared the most commonly used complementary health practice among US adults in 2017.

Statistics show that meditation has also grown in popularity and become another go-to complementary health approach for Americans.

How many yoga studios are there in the US?

There are currently 7,000 yoga studios in the US registered with the Yoga Alliance.

How many yoga instructors are there?

There are currently more than 100,000 yoga teachers registered with the Yoga Alliance.

Yoga instructors earn an average of $24.96 per hour, with the average professional earning between $31,000 and $100,000.

What type of yoga is most commonly practiced in America?

Hatha is the most practiced style of yoga.

Hot yoga, originally known as Bikram yoga, is also growing in popularity. It has lots of benefits but there are also a few risks that you can read more about here.

Key Statistics:

• 55 million Americans now practice yoga.
• 1 in 3 people in the US have tried yoga at least once.
• The number of people practicing yoga grew 65% between 2016 and 2020.
• 15% of US yogis have completed a yoga session in the last six months.
• There are 6,000 yoga studios registered in the US.
• More than 100,000 yoga teachers are registered with the Yoga Alliance.

Sources: Statista | USA Today | Harvard Health Publishing | Yoga Alliance | National Institutes of Health | Yogi Times | Yoga Alliance | IBIS World | Book Retreats | Serenity Yoga

Who practices yoga the most?

Women aged between 30 and 49 years old are the group who practice yoga the most.

The female population can enjoy lots of health advantages from the practice, including improved heart health and support coping with symptoms of the menopause.

What percentage of yogis are men?

According to the 2016 Yoga in America study, 28% of yoga practitioners are male.

It was predicted that this number will grow, and it’s no surprise when we consider the amazing health advantages that the practice offers men.

What age do most people do yoga?

People aged between 30 and 49 years old practice yoga more than any other age group.

However yoga statistics show it’s growing in popularity with those over 50:

• 19% of yoga practitioners are 18 – 29 year olds
• 43% of yoga practitioners are 30 – 49 year olds
• 38% of yoga practitioners are 50+ year olds

In fact, the amount of adults over 50 practicing yoga has tripled over the last four years.

Is children’s yoga popular?

1.7 million children are practicing yoga in the US.

With so many advantages for kids, it’s no wonder that 400,000 more children are practicing yoga in 2012 than they were in 2007.

Statistics also show that children are more likely to take part in yoga if one of their parents does, with 37% of yoga practitioners having children who also practice.

How much is the yoga industry worth?

The global yoga industry is worth over $88 billion.

In 2012, yoga was one of the fastest growing industries in the US.

Information from IBIS World showed that from 2002 to 2012 the pilates and yoga industry grew on average 12.1% per year, and was very resistant to the recession by still experiencing growth in 2008 and 2009.

How much do Americans spend on yoga?

Americans spend $16 billion on yoga classes and equipment each year and it looks set to keep rising.

The Yoga in America Study revealed a $6 billion increase from $10 billion in 2012, for classes as well as equipment, clothing, books and magazines.

Key Statistics:

• The yoga industry is worth over $88 billion globally.
• In 2012, yoga was recognised as one of the fastest growing industries in the US.
• Yogis in the US spend $16 billion on yoga classes and equipment annually.

Sources: Wellness Creative Co. | Yoga Alliance | Philadelphia

Can I lose weight by doing yoga?

Over 40% of people who do yoga feel more motivated to make healthier food choices.

Research conducted by the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center found that yoga can help you lose weight.

Not only did respondents drop pounds during the research but they reported a changed mindset.

Does yoga actually help back pain?

Research published by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has shown yoga to be an effective treatment for back pain.

In fact, there are a number of yoga poses that are particularly useful.

If you’re one of the 80% of Americans struggling with back pain, it could be worth a try!

Why is yoga good in the workplace?

Yoga in the workplace can improve productivity.

Research by the CDC showed that yoga practices in the workplace can improve the wellbeing of employees and in turn increase efficiency.

Is yoga good for anxiety and depression?

Yoga can ease the symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Findings published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, showed the more yoga sessions a respondent attended each week, the greater the reduction in their symptoms of depression and anxiety.

There are a number of depression and anxiety-reducing asanas you can try, to help calm a busy mind.

Can yoga reduce stress?

The 2012 National Health Interview Survey revealed that 85% of yoga users feel the practice helps them to reduce their stress levels.

It’s just one of the many health advantages of becoming a yogi!

Why are more people doing yoga?

According to the 2016 Yoga in America study, improving flexibility was the most popular reason for starting yoga.

Stress relief, general fitness, improvement of overall health and physical fitness were also in the top five reasons for yoga participation.

The study revealed that there weren’t just benefits for their health too, yoga practitioners are more likely to live green, eat sustainably and volunteer their time to their local community.

Why should kids practice yoga?

Yoga has many proven health advantages for children, including helping to improve their attention span, aiding their flexibility and building strength.

It is also beneficial for a number of childhood conditions including Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

Researchers in Spain ran a study with 249 children looking at how physical exercise impacted the symptoms of ADHD.

Yoga proved particularly successful in alleviating core symptoms of the condition.

However children do require supervision when practicing yoga as some poses can be damaging on their bodies.

Is it good to do yoga before bed?

A National Health Statistics Report, published by the CDC, revealed that nearly 60% of yogis feel that practicing yoga improves their sleep.

With fascinating findings coming to light about the current state of people’s sleep, yoga was found to help yoga practitioners fall asleep faster.

Key Statistics:

• Over 40% of yogis feel the practice makes them more motivated to make healthier food choices.
• Yoga has been proven to be an effective treatment for back pain.
• Practicing yoga in the workplace can improve productivity.
• Yoga can ease the symptoms of depression and anxiety.
• 85% of yogis feel that yoga helps to reduce their stress levels.
• Improving flexibility was the most popular reason for starting yoga.
• Yoga has been proven successful in alleviating core symptoms of ADHD in children.
• 6 in 10 of yogis feel that practicing yoga improves their sleep.

Sources: CDC | National Library of Medicine | U.S. Department of Health and Human Services | National Library of Medicine | BMJ Journals | Yoga Alliance | National Library of Medicine | CDC

How common are yoga injuries?

There is evidence to show that yoga causes as many injuries as other sports.

Research published in the Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies discovered that 10% of people experience pain following a yoga session.

What is the most dangerous yoga pose?

The headstand is thought to be the most dangerous yoga pose.

A study by the Department of Internal and Integrative Medicine in Germany, found that the shoulder stand and variations of the lotus pose also caused a higher number of injuries than other yoga poses.