methodology InSpiral Yoga conducted qualitative research via an online survey from October 1st - December 28th 2013 to help better understand the wants and needs of the United States’ yoga community.

The sample is representative of the overall yoga practitioners universe. However, the results are directional due to it’s limited size. Future research will focus on a more granular segmentation.

Sample:   200 yoga practitioners   25% male 75% female   Years of practice:

• 9% less than 1 year • 15% 1-2 years • 21% 2- 4 years • 23% 5- 10 years • 32% more than 10 years

 Age: • 5% 15-24 • 30% 25-34 • 33% 35-44 • 23% 45-54 • 9% 55-64

what we found out   the whys for yoga are, “it is spiritual & physical practice” and “trains mind and body”.

  the most important class elements are restorative poses, structured vinyasa flow and savasana.

  meditation (normally neglected in traditional western practices) showed as much importance for practitioners as inversions.

  chanting and arm balances were the least favored.

  location and convenience are the main reasons to choose a studio.

  respondents desire more personal attention, space and meditation in a yoga class.

  local and short weekend retreats are preferred.

  price is an issue; no more than $500 for retreat.

  while spa/massage and hiking were not unexpected winners as

retreat activities, cooking at #3 was the surprise.

why practice yoga

75% it is a spiritual and physical practice 70% it trains my body and mind 34% it relieves my stress / it’s a journey to myself

#1. restorative

poses  

#2.

structured vinyasa  

#3.  

relaxation savasana  

creative vinyasa  

core work   meditation  

#6. #5. #4.

most important elements of a class

note: visit the appendix section for the complete results

reasons to choose a yoga studio

top six preferred activities during a retreat

how much for a retreat…

  61% of the respondents agreed they can pay $200 to $499

  32% agreed they can pay $500 to $999

retreat or escapade?

  49% preferred a weekend at a location close to home.

  34% preferred a single day of the weekend at a location close to home.

  34% preferred an exotic oversees location.

Illustration by Laura Gharrity

what yogis are missing

In conclusion

  more than exercise, yogis want mind/spiritual and body practice.

  surpassing teacher, style or price, convenience and location are what bring us to a studio.

  unlike our Indian counterparts, pranayama and chanting. did not score too high with us.

  the restorative and relaxation benefits of the practice are what we value the most.

  yogis are on a budget

  and off course, yogis don’t have time, so local and short duration is preferred on retreats.

Special thanks to Robert Mazze for being my 3rd eye and to all the yogis out there that took the time to answer and

offer their valuable insights.

More fun surveys to come

Namaste!

Hiking  

Surfing  

Kayaking  

Horseback  riding  

Music/Singing  workshop  

Wine  tas;ng  

Cooking  lessons  

Gardening  

Sustainable  Farming  

Sustainability  workshop  

Spa-­‐Massage  

Reiki  

62.79%    

67.44%    

top 6 preferred activities during a retreat

32.56%    

27.91%    

30.23%    

37.21%    

41.86%    20.93%    

16.28%    9.30%    

11.63%    

16.28%    

most important elements of a class

note: rated in order of preference being #1. the most preferred. Graphic based on averages

#1. restorative poses #2. structure vinyasa #3. savasana.

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