Yoga Popularity
There may no better sign of the shift in consumer healthcare than yoga popularity. The number of Americans who have practiced yoga continues to rise and so does the money they put into lessons and equipment.
Yoga and meditation have not reached all parts of American society equally, but that will continue to change with research and new programs to address chronic illnesses that incorporate yoga and meditation. Just another demonstration that consumers will engage where they see value and support.
Yoga and meditation aren’t so alternative anymore. About 14% of adults and a growing number of kids now practice yoga and meditation, according to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics.
Between 2012 and 2017, the percentage of kids and adults who said they had done yoga or meditated in the last year rose significantly. About 14% of adults reported practicing both yoga and meditation in 2017, up from about 9.5% and 4%, respectively, in 2012. Meanwhile, the percentage of kids ages 4 to 17 who had done yoga in the last year increased from about 3% to 8%, and the percentage of kids who had practiced meditation rose from 0.6% to 5.4%.
Yoga and meditation have proliferated in recent years. More gyms, boutique studios and apps teach the practices, and a 2016 Yoga Journal survey estimated that Americans spent almost $17 billion on yoga classes, apparel and equipment that year. Research on the health benefits of these mindfulness practices — ranging from reduced stress, anxiety and depression to better vascular health and a lower risk of heart disease — is also increasing, which is likely inspiring more people to hit the mat. As more adults pick up these practices and learn about their benefits, the message seems to be trickling down to children, too.
Source: Here’s How Popular Yoga and Meditation Really Are | Time
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