Yoga in the United States
Graph of the Week
This week’s graph, courtesy of a report by the National Center for Health Statistics, illustrates the percentage of adults in the United States (U.S.) who participated in yoga in the past 12 months.
Key Points
Approximately 17% of the U.S. population said that it participated in yoga in the past 12 months.
A large sex difference in yoga participation was observed. A greater percentage of women (23.3%) than men (10.3%) reported that they participated in yoga.
Men who participated in yoga (31.8%) were more likely than women who participated in yoga (27.5%) to report that they participated for purposes of treating or managing pain.
Women (59.3%) were more likely than men (52.9%) to say that the yoga that they participated in included a meditation component.
Yoga participation was also most common among Asian and white adults, individuals aged 18-44 years, and individuals who were earning a high income.
Source: Elgaddal N, Weeks JD. Yoga among adults age 18 and older: United States, 2022. NCHS Data Brief, no 501. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2024.
Bonus Commentary
Yoga is a “mind-body technique that incorporates physical postures, breathing, and meditation.” Some people find yoga beneficial for their health and fitness. The data in the graph show that participation in yoga differs based on sex, age, race, and income level. Thus, not all persons are equally interested in yoga or have equal capacity or opportunity to participate in yoga. The reasons why people participate in yoga, and how they practice it, also relate to various demographic characteristics.
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Fantastic.
I do Yin Yoga to release stress/trauma in my body.
It would be good if more men entered this world and I have wondered how it would change the relationship between men and women - given the currently situation with Feminism, Equality and maybe something I cannot think of right now.
My last Yin Yoga class this week was a pleasant surprise with 10 people and 6 were men.
In the past it has been that I am the only male.