When Swami Vivekananda left India 125 years ago, he brought with him a vast knowledge of Hindu philosophy, particularly the concepts and teachings of jnana, bhakti, karma, and raja yoga. Although it took decades for yoga to catch on in the US, it eventually evolved from the spiritual practice of a few enthusiasts into the billion-dollar industry it is today. As we close out 2018, we are looking at the state of the industry and how it has grown throughout the years.
More People Are Practicing Yoga Than Ever
According to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 14.3% of people surveyed now practice yoga in the US. This is up from 9.5%, as reported in 2012. Even children are getting into the practice. In 2012, only 3% of children were reported to have practiced yoga. This number increased to 8% in 2017.
Yoga is no longer an alternative practice, nor is it a growing trend. It is a mainstream form of exercise and recreation, especially for women. The CDC reports 20% of women have joined the practice, compared to 9% of men. Some other demographic breakdowns of people who currently practice yoga include:
- 17% of white adults
- 9% of black adults
- 8% of Hispanic adults
- 18% of those ages 18 to 44
- 12% of those ages 45 to 64
- 7% of those 65 and older
More Facilities, More Revenue
As more people pick up the practice in more cities and towns across the country, the industry has experienced solid growth in the amount of facilities popping up in both rural and urban areas. Market data from IBISWorld estimates there to be 34,687 yoga studios in the United States, an increase of 5.4% over the past five years, and the latest Yoga in America Survey conducted by Yoga Journal estimates yogis spend $16.8 billion dollars on yoga classes, clothing, equipment and accessories every year. This is an increase of $6.1 billion since 2012.
Where Yogis Practice
As the industry expands, more types of facilities are offering yoga as an exercise option. As it stands today, the top five places yogis practice are:
1. Home
2. Gyms/Health Clubs
3. Yoga Studios
4. Community Centers
5. Parks
Where Are We Going in 2019?
Recent data shows the growth of the yoga industry will not likely slow in 2019. More people are getting involved in the practice, more businesses are opening, and more money is being spent on classes, equipment and other peripherals. At Zebra, we are excited to continue delving into this industry, meeting the people who have allowed this practice to spread and providing them with everything they need to open and run a successful studio.