In the past decade, yoga has become incredibly popular, and as yoga statistics show, the major reason for its popularity is its many physical and mental health benefits.
Yoga is a 5,000-year-old form of meditative exercise that helps raise self-awareness and self-reflection. There are many styles of yoga across the world, but all of them combine different physical postures, meditation types, and breathing techniques. So, let’s take a look at some of the surprising facts and statistics about yoga.
Top Ten Yoga Facts: Editor’s Pick
- The world’s oldest yoga teacher was Tao Porchon-Lynch, who lived to be over 101 years old.
- There are over 300 million yoga practitioners in the world.
- Over 60 million yoga posts are trending on Instagram at any given time.
- Only 12% of yoga practitioners claim to be advanced yogis.
- The pilates and yoga industry witnessed a growth of 12.1% in 10 years.
- 39% of people want massages incorporated into their yoga classes.
- Yoga health statistics show that it can lower systolic blood pressure by 26 points.
- Men pay an average of $6 more per pair of yoga pants than women.
- In just 4 years, the number of men practicing yoga increased by 150%.
- Yoga has helped 52% of practitioners reduce their PTSD symptoms.
General Yoga Statistics for 2021
Let’s warm up a little and go through some basic numbers and facts you should know, yogi or not. We will cover the history of yoga, how it grew and expanded, and what the yoga industry stands for today.
1. There are over 300 million yoga practitioners in the world.
(Yogi Times)(The Economic Times)
Yoga stats show that there are 300 million people in the world who practice yoga. Moreover, almost 50 percent of all yoga practitioners are from India, though the younger generations seem to be showing less enthusiasm for the discipline.
2. The world’s oldest yoga teacher was Tao Porchon-Lynch, who lived to be over 101 years old.
(USA Today)
Tao Porchon-Lynch was a yoga master of French and Indian descent who learned yoga as a child when she was growing up in a French colony of India.
The Guinness Book of World Records named her the oldest yoga teacher in the world in 2012, and she continued to teach yoga until her death in February 2020. This is one of the most interesting facts about yoga.
3. Global yoga statistics show that people spend $62,640 on average on yoga during their lifetime.
(Eventbrite)
According to statistics, the average yoga practitioner spends about $40 on a single, one-time yoga session. Moreover, about 6% of people are willing to spend over $100 on a single, special, memorable yoga experience.
4. 61% of people started practicing yoga to improve their flexibility.
This is one of the main reasons why so many people have started practicing yoga, according to statistics on yoga. Additionally, about 56% of people participate in yoga sessions to relieve stress, 52% are looking to get mentally and physically stronger, while 49% want to become healthier and fitter.
5. Only 12% of yoga practitioners claim to be advanced yogis.
(Eventbrite)
According to facts about yoga, only 12% have mastered the advanced levels of yoga. Additionally, 37% of practitioners said they just started practicing the discipline, while 27% said they are beginners. About 22% of yoga practitioners said they are at the intermediate level.
6. The pilates and yoga industry witnessed a growth of 12.1% in 10 years.
(IBIS World)
From 2002 to 2012, the pilates and yoga industry experienced a growth of 12.1%, making it one of the fastest-growing industries in the United States.
Stats on yoga also show it is also quite resistant to recession, as witnessed during the economic slumps of 2008 and 2009, and kept growing at a steady rate.
Yoga Statistics Worldwide
If you’re done with the warm-up stats, let’s go on to some more complex numbers which will show you how people practice yoga around the world.
7. Over 37 million people in the United States practice yoga.
(Forbes)
The number of yoga practitioners in the United States has almost doubled in the past decade, according to yoga statistics in America. Now, 1 in 10 Americans practices yoga, making the United States one of the top countries where the discipline is practiced.
8. There are over 10,000 yoga masters in the United Kingdom.
(Finder)
According to yoga statistics in the UK, there are over 10,000 yoga masters in the UK who teach over 460,000 British yogis every week. The interest in yoga in the UK rises by 73% every year.
9. About 21% of Canadians practice yoga.
(Leger360)
Over 1 in 5 Canadians enjoy yoga, according to yoga statistics in Canada. About 35% of Canadians who practice yoga are between the ages of 18 and 34. In Quebec, the number of practitioners is comparatively low, at 16%.
10. 30% of people in the Netherlands practice meditation yoga or mindfulness.
(Statista)
According to facts related to yoga, about 30% of Dutch people practice some form of mindfulness exercise, including yoga. Moreover, 25% of yoga practitioners prefer Hatha yoga, and 10% prefer Bikram yoga.
Yoga Trends You Should Know About
As we’ve learned, yoga seems to be constantly changing and it may be hard to find the right trend for yourself. Lockdowns brought yoga closer to people, which means different styles have started developing faster than ever—here are the ones you should consider.
11. About 20% of people want to try laughter yoga.
(Book Yoga Retreats)
One of the hottest trends is laughter yoga. Aside from that, about 18% of people said they would like to try hot yoga, 17% said they wanted to try silent disco yoga and immersive yoga, and 15% said they wanted to try aerial yoga.
12. Over 60 million yoga posts are trending on Instagram at any given time.
(The Good Body)
The latest yoga trends include posting about yoga on social media channels. Every single day, people post thousands of pictures showing themselves doing complicated yoga poses and enjoying the benefits of yoga.
13. 39% of people want massages incorporated into their yoga classes.
(Eventbrite)
This new yoga trend is not surprising, since many people practice yoga to reduce stress and relax. Furthermore, 21% of people want spa treatments and dance classes with their yoga sessions, 17% want in-person guided meditation, and 12% would like spin classes.
14. In just 4 years, the number of men practicing yoga increased by 150%.
(Yoga Alliance)
Although yoga facts show that the majority of people who practice yoga are women, more and more men are becoming interested in the discipline. According to yoga statistics, the number of male yogis increased from 4 million to 10 million between 2012 to 2016.
Yoga Demographics—Who Are Yoga Practitioners?
This is one of the questions you’re asking yourself if you are considering taking up yoga in groups. Who will be there with you? Will you stick out or blend in perfectly? Read on and find yourself in these stats.
15. About 72% of yoga practitioners are women.
(Forbes)
Even though the number of men is steadily increasing, almost three-quarters of practitioners are women, according to yoga population statistics. About a decade ago, the number of men was even lower, with women outnumbering men four to one.
16. Over 43% of yogis are between 30 and 49 years old.
(Yoga Alliance)
If we take a look at yoga statistics and demographics, 23% of the yoga population comprises 30- to 39-year-olds, and 20% is made up of 40- to 49-year-olds. Additionally, young adults between the ages of 18 and 29 make up 19% of the yoga population.
17. Yoga is also practiced by about 37% of yoga practitioners’ children under the age of 18.
(Forbes)
The practice of yoga has become so popular that preteens and teenagers are also taking it up, according to the stats on yoga demographic. Moreover, many schools include this discipline as part of their curriculum, so that their students can have an easier time staying focused during class.
18. About 14 million people over the age of 50 practice yoga.
(Yoga Alliance)
Unlike most physical sports and exercises, yoga can be done by people of all ages. Even middle-aged and senior citizens can reap the benefits of practicing yoga.
19. Americans spent more than $16 billion on yoga clothes, accessories, equipment, and classes in 2016.
(Forbes)
Americans only spent about $10 billion on clothing, accessories, and classes in 2010, according to the yoga fashion trends of 2010. This is a dramatic increase in expenditure on yoga-related goods and services.
20. Lululemon’s revenue reached $929 million between 2017 and 2018.
(CNBC)
One of the biggest yoga fashion brands, Lululemon, showed a growth of 18% in a single year. Even though this clothing brand continues to grow, the popularity of yoga apparel is such that other strong competitors have emerged on the market too, like Athleta and Fabletics, according to yoga clothing trends.
21. Adidas sales of yoga clothes saw a 30% growth in India.
(The Economic Times)
Yoga has become a multi-billion dollar industry, and this is greatly due to its booming clothing and accessories sector. On the Indian market, Adidas showed a 30% profit growth in its yoga sales and accessories department, according to yoga fashion trends.
22. Men pay an average of $6 more per pair of yoga pants than women.
Almost 99% of all yoga pants are designed for women. However, men also buy yoga pants and have to dole out an extra $6 for a single pair. The price of yoga pants is one of the very few areas where women don’t have to face the pink tax.
Yoga in the Workplace Statistics
With workplace stress becoming more prominent than ever, employers all over the world are striving towards making their employees feel better. Apart from the traditional methods, the number of yogis in workplaces seems to be rising.
23. Yoga practice among workers went from 6% to 11% from 2002 to 2012.
(CDC)
According to corporate yoga statistics reported by the CDC, the interest in yoga nearly doubled among workers in just 10 years. Meditation rates among employees also rose from 8% to 9.9%.
24. About 1 in 7 workers is engaged in some kind of mindfulness activity, including yoga.
( CDC)
About 1 in 7 workers shows engagement in activities that improve mindfulness, as they have been shown to improve employees’ health and productivity, according to yoga in the workplace statistics. These workers can also be a great example of all the benefits that practices like yoga can provide.
Yoga Health Statistics
The secret behind yoga’s lasting and growing popularity is its benefit for the practitioners. Studies have shown that yoga influences both the mental and physical health of yogis and here is what you should know if you’re still not sure whether you should start practicing.
25. Yoga has helped 52% of practitioners reduce their PTSD symptoms.
(NCBI)
Yoga benefit stats show that practicing yoga just once a week can help relieve anxiety, depression, stress, and several other symptoms of PTSD. Doing yoga just twice a month can also alleviate your stress levels.
26. Yoga health statistics show that it can lower systolic blood pressure by 26 points.
(Yoga Journal)
Only one month of practicing yoga can dramatically reduce your blood pressure and improve cardiovascular health. Aside from systolic blood pressure, yoga can also reduce diastolic blood pressure by 15 points.
27. About 15 minutes of yoga practice can boost your mood.
(NetDoctor)
Research has shown that spending just 15 minutes practicing yoga every day can make positive changes to the brain’s chemistry, increase your emotional stability, and improve your mood.
28. 77.8% of women in a yoga group did not experience any contractions when practicing yoga.
(NCBI)
According to prenatal yoga statistics, only 17.8% of pregnant women experienced contractions every 30 minutes, while just 4.4% of women experienced contractions every 10 minutes. This indicates that yoga is beneficial for pregnancy and can relieve the discomfort and pain associated with labor.
FAQ
What are the health benefits of yoga?
Yoga is considered to be beneficial for both physical and mental health. Yoga practitioners say yoga has helped them with chronic lower back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and headaches. It also helps with weight loss, resulting in improved cardiovascular health. Additionally, it reduces stress levels, promotes sleep, increases body awareness, and makes a person more focused.
(Healthline)
Who invented yoga?
Yoga is believed to have originated in the Indus-Sarasvati civilization in northern India about 5000 years ago. The word yoga was first written in a sacred Sanskrit text, the Rigveda, which was a collection of songs, rituals, and mantras performed by Brahman priests.
(Yogabasics)
How many types of yoga are there?
Because yoga has become so popular, more and more modern versions of it have been invented. Yoga now has over 100 styles around the world, like aerial yoga, hot yoga, iyengar yoga, and hatha yoga.
(AARP)
Is yoga scientifically proven?
There have been numerous studies proving that yoga is indeed beneficial for your physical and mental health. It facilitates muscle and mind relaxation and keeps you physically and mentally strong.
(Vox)
Is yoga a growing trend?
The popularity of yoga is growing day by day. According to yoga statistics for 2018, there was a 92% increase in yoga search queries on Google in January 2010 when compared to December of the year before. Interest in yoga also grows by 73% every year.
(Search Engine Journal)
What are the negative effects of yoga?
Even though yoga carries a lower risk of injury than other exercises, some people claim they suffered from injuries and chronic pains after doing yoga. Some of them also suffered from significant fatigue after their yoga session. However, most experts agree that people who want to avoid injury should understand their body’s limitations and take a break when needed.
(HuffPost)
Bottom Line
If you are interested in this ancient discipline, we hope these yoga statistics have shown you that it’s never too late to become a yoga practitioner. Taking care of your physical and mental health is of the utmost importance, and yoga is an easy and fun way to do that.
