Yoga’s growing commercial reach?

The modern commercial yoga is turning out into a multi-billion industry especially in the West. Yoga is seen as a physical fitness activity, stress management and even cure for certain ailments. As the physical component precedes the spiritual element, yoga industry is on the rise. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s emphasis on this glorious Indian tradition is expected to expand yoga market much more.

Across America, students, stressed-out young professionals, CEOs and retirees are among those who have embraced yoga, fueling a $27 billion industry with more than 20 million practitioners, 83% of them women the Huffington Post reported In an article published in Economic and Political Weekly (November 29, 2014), Meenal Annachhatre estimated that “Iyengar yoga” alone is taught in 78 countries. There are over 30,000 Iyengar yoga students in 57 cities in China alone.

More than six million Iyengar yoga practitioners, an estimated 20,000 Iyengar-certifi ed yoga teachers and 200 Iyengar yoga institutes crowd the world, the commodifi cation of yoga, egged on by the counterculture movements infl uenced by eastern philosophies, has created a yoga for every taste and energy level.

The affluent in America is more attracted to Yoga. Estimates quoted by the Huffington Post suggest that more than 30 percent of Yoga Journal’s readership has a household income of over $100,000. More and more American research demonstrated their measurable physical and mental health benefits, legitimizing yoga in the eye of the public. (Hans Special Desk)