2016 Yoga in America Study Conducted by Yoga Journal and Yoga Alliance Reveals Growth and Benefits of the Practice

BOULDER, Colo., Jan. 13, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The newly released 2016 Yoga in America Study Conducted by Yoga Journal and Yoga Alliance shows that the number of US yoga practitioners has increased to more than 36 million, up from 20.4 million in 2012, while annual practitioner spending on yoga classes, clothing, equipment, and accessories rose to $16 billion, 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.

The results indicate that women represent 72 percent of US practitioners, with men and older Americans doing Downward Dog at a growing rate. Thirty-four percent of Americans, or 80 million people, say they are likely to try yoga for the first time in the next 12 months.

"The data tells a compelling story," says Carin Gorrell, editor in chief of Yoga Journal. "More people than ever across all age groups are realizing the benefits of yoga, from stress relief to flexibility to overall well-being. Yoga is a thriving, growing industry."

"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."

2016 Yoga in America Study Highlights:

• There are 36.7M US yoga practitioners, up from 20.4M in 2012
• 34 percent of Americans say they are somewhat or very likely to practice yoga in the next 12 months – equal to more than 80 million Americans
• 37 percent of practitioners have children under the age of 18 who also practice yoga
• Students spend $16B/year on classes, gear, and equipment, up from $10B in 2012
• Women represent 72 percent of practitioners; men, 28 percent
• Practitioners are significantly more involved in many other forms of exercise, such as running, cycling and weightlifting, than non-practitioners
• 30–49 year olds make up 43 percent of the practicing public, followed by those ages 50+ (38 percent) and 18–29 (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 – all significantly higher rates than among non-practitioners
• All audiences surveyed agree that warm and friendly demeanor, clarity, and knowledge of yoga poses are characteristics that make for a great yoga teacher
• There are two people interested in becoming a yoga teacher for every one current teacher
• Half of yoga teachers have been teaching for more than six years

The full 80+ page report is available at www.yogajournal.com/yogainamericastudy and www.yogaalliance.org/2016yogainamericastudy.

About the Study
The 2016 Yoga in America Study Conducted by Yoga Journal and Yoga Alliance is a national study building on a similar study conducted in 2008 and 2012 by Yoga Journal. For this study, Yoga Journal and Yoga Alliance partnered with Ipsos Public Affairs to expand the understanding of the practice of yoga in America and to determine how Americans view yoga. This augmented study focused on the growing practice of yoga in America, from the perspectives of yoga practitioners, teachers, and studio owners, as well as the non-practicing US public.

ABOUT YOGA JOURNAL
Founded in 1975 by members of the California Yoga Teachers Association, Yoga Journal (yogajournal.com) offers all practitioners—from beginners to masters—expert information on how to live a healthier, happier, more fulfilling life both on and off the mat. Every day, Yoga Journal engages its print, online, and live audience with top teacher insights and in-depth reporting on poses, breathing, meditation, nutrition, health, trends, and more. Always informative and inspiring, the magazine's welcoming, inclusive point of view puts every reader in front of the world's best teachers. With 12 international editions spanning 28 countries, and five national live events annually, Yoga Journal is the world's largest yoga brand.

ABOUT YOGA ALLIANCE
Yoga Alliance is the largest international nonprofit association promoting and supporting the diversity and integrity of the teaching of yoga. Currently, more than 67,700 Registered Yoga Teachers (RYT®) and 4,300 Registered Yoga Schools (RYS®) are represented by Yoga Alliance. The organization also educates the public on the value and credibility of voluntary registration with Yoga Alliance Registry and upholds the worldwide growth of yoga through education and community.

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SOURCE Yoga Alliance

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