The Results Are In!
Yoga Alliance partnered with Yoga Journal to conduct the 2016 Yoga in America Study and there is some great news for our industry. The study shows the number of U.S. yoga practitioners has increased to over 36 million, up from 20.4 million in 2012, and practitioner spending on yoga classes, clothing, equipment and accessories, rose to $16 billion a year up from $10 billion over the past four years.
Survey data for this comprehensive study of the consumer yoga market was collected by Ipsos Public Affairs on behalf of Yoga Journal and Yoga Alliance.
Thirty-four percent of Americans, or 80 million people, say they are likely to try yoga for the first time over the next 12 months. The results indicate that women represent 72 percent of U.S. practitioners, with men and older Americans striking a downward dog pose at a growing rate.
“Beyond yoga’s increasing popularity, what’s fascinating is the data shows that those who practice and teach yoga have measurably better perceptions of their individual strength, balance, dexterity and mental clarity versus non-practitioners,” said Yoga Alliance Executive Director and COO Barbara Dobberthien. “Practitioners are also much more likely to be involved in a variety of other forms of exercise, as well as focused on sustainable living and eating.”