Yoga is an ancient practice that incorporates physical, mental, and spiritual aspects. It has been linked to numerous health benefits and has grown in popularity in Canada and other Western countries. It is now one of the most popular forms of exercise among Canadians.

In this article, you will find statistics on yoga including how many Canadians practise yoga, what a yoga teacher can earn in Canada, and how many yoga teachers there are in the country. We have also included information on the benefits of yoga as well as global statistics to give you a wider picture of how yoga is practised around the world.

Yoga Statistics for Canadians

  • Over one in five Canadians practise yoga.
  • Canada has over 2,000 qualified yoga instructors.
  • 9% of Canadian adults have used yoga as a form of therapy and exercise.
  • Canadians living in British Columbia are the most likely to search “yoga” using online search engines.
  • A yoga teacher in Canada earns on average just under $55,000 per year but this varies across the country with yoga teachers in British Columbia earning the highest average salaries.
  • The cost of private lessons ranges from $45 for online lessons to over $100 for in-person lessons depending also on location and type of yoga.
  • Yoga practitioners spend $90 per month on average on classes, workshops, and equipment.
  • Globally, there are at least 300 million yoga practitioners.
  • The pandemic led to faster growth in the online yoga industry with the number of online yoga students growing by 91%.
  • There are around 20,000 retreats for yoga around the world.

Yoga Practice in Canada

The Canadian yoga market was valued at $861,78 million in 2022. It is predicted to grow up to $1,536,99 million by 2030. This represents a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.5%.

According to a survey from 2019, 21% of Canadians practise yoga. However, that percentage is likely to be higher following the pandemic, but there is no more recent survey data currently available.

Canadians aged between 18 and 34 are the most likely to practise yoga with 35% of the age group saying they do yoga. Quebec has the lowest percentage of yogis in the country with only 16% of its residents reporting they practise yoga.

Studies Show Yoga Has Grown in Popularity in Canada

Not only have Canadians become more physically active in recent years, but they are also increasingly turning to yoga as one of their preferred exercise methods. The most popular exercises among Canadians are walking, weight lifting, yoga, and aerobics.

Residents of British Columbia are the Most Likely to Google Yoga

Canadians living in British Columbia have used the search term “yoga” most often in Canada. “Yoga” is a popular search term in the whole province especially in Vancouver, North Vancouver, and Victoria.

Almost Half of Canadian Yoga Practitioners Practice up to Three Times Per Week

According to Eventbrite, 44% of yogis practice two or three times every week. For 34% of yogis, the morning is their preferred time to do yoga and 18% are most likely to do their yoga practice in the evening. 

There Are Over 2,000 Qualified Yoga Instructors in Canada

According to the Canadian Yoga Alliance, there are over 2,000 professional teachers of yoga in Canada. The Canadian Yoga Alliance was founded by Violet Pasztor Wilson and lists a plethora of useful information for yoga enthusiasts in Canada, including yoga instructors and schools across the country.

The Median Yoga Instructor Salary in Canada is $54,893

According to the recruitment website Talent, the median annual salary for yoga instructors in Canada is $54,893, which represents $28.15 per hour. However, according to Indeed, another recruitment website, the average hourly pay for yoga teachers is $34.50 per hour.

The highest average salaries are in British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario. The cities where yoga teachers can expect the highest salaries are Ottawa, Montreal, and Calgary. Nationally, the average pay for a new yoga teacher is $39,000 per year and for an experienced teacher, it is $78,858 per year.

Lululemon Increased Its Net Revenue by $5.4 Billion in Ten Years

Lululemon, which is a Canadian yoga and activewear brand, increased its net revenue by $5.4 billion from 2010 to 2020. The company is best known for its high-quality activewear designed for women. However, they also do activewear for men as well as offer fitness activities.

The Number of Online Yoga Practitioners Grew During the Pandemic

Following the closure of yoga studios because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of yoga teachers offering classes online grew by 86%. The number of yoga students attending online lessons grew by 91%.

Before the global pandemic, only 40% of students were practising yoga online and just 8% of teachers were offering lessons online. The preferred method for online classes at 67% was live-streamed classes.

The Cost of Private Yoga Lessons Ranges Widely

The cost of private yoga lessons in Canada varies between provinces and territories and across cities, too. While you can access private virtual yoga lessons for around $45 through the online learning platform Superprof, an in-person lesson can cost you over $100 depending on location and the style of yoga.

Sales of Yoga Equipment Grew by 154% During the Pandemic

As the pandemic forced people to do their exercise from home, the sales of yoga accessories and equipment grew by 154%. This includes sales of yoga mats, blocks, and other accessories used to assist in yoga practices.

Benefits of Regular Yoga Practice

The increased popularity of yoga has sometimes been explained by the growing number of people who experience stress and anxiety. More than a quarter of working Canadians say they experience high stress every day, while approximately two-thirds say work situations are the primary source of their stress.

Regular yoga practice can help treat ailments such as insomnia, anxiety, hypertension, and gastrointestinal afflictions. Overall, 94% of yogis practice yoga to reap the wellness benefits not just for their physical well-being, but mental and spiritual well-being, too. 9% of Canadian yogis say they do yoga because of its therapeutic effects.

Just Twelve Sessions of Yoga Can Reduce Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression

According to Compare Camp, a study of 52 women showed reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression after twelve sessions of yoga. In addition, 54% of yogis say their practice helps them to be calmer and release tension, while studies show that just ten minutes of daily yoga can change the chemistry of your brain and improve your mood.

Regular Yoga Practice Can Lower Cholesterol

Studies have shown that by regularly doing yoga, practitioners can lower their cholesterol by 23%. Regular practice can also reduce bad cholesterol by up to 26%.

Practising Yoga Can Lead to a More Positive Self-Image and Healthier Habits

Doing yoga can lead to a more positive image of your physical and mental health. People who practice yoga are 20% more likely to have a better self-image than non-practitioners. 60% also felt motivated to exercise more and 40% to eat healthier.

Worldwide Yoga Statistics

There are over 300 million people across the globe who practice yoga. 74% of yoga practitioners have been doing yoga for less than five years and 98% are at a beginner to intermediate level. While 40.5% of yogis around the world prefer to practice in the morning and 42.2% in the evening, 30.2% end up practising at irregular times.

The yoga market in the United States is growing at an average rate of 9.8% per year and is worth US$12 billion(CAD 16.2). In the UK, the market is worth £908 million (1.48 billion CAD) and the rate of growth is 2%. In China, the revenue from yoga is worth 46.7 billion yuan (9.12 billion CAD).

The Majority of Yogis Practice Two to Four Times Per Week

Most yoga practitioners around the world practice two to four times per week. 22% practice once per week, 14% say they practice several times per month, and 12% practice less than once a month. 6% of yogis practice five or more times per week and another 6% practice once a month while 9% say they do not remember how often they practice.

Being More Flexible is The Biggest Reason for Starting Yoga

While there are many reasons for starting yoga, the most popular reason is to improve flexibility. This was chosen as the top reason by 61% of yogis. 56% do it for stress relief, 49% for overall health, and 44% to improve their physical fitness.

Spending by Yogis

According to research carried out by the Yoga Alliance, a typical yoga practitioner will spend $62,640 on classes, workshops, and accessories during their lifetime. While this might sound like a huge amount, it only equates to approximately $90 per month. Around half of the monthly amount is spent on classes.

Yoga is More Popular Among Women

Globally, women are more likely to practise yoga than men. 72% of yoga practitioners are women. Women are also more likely to attend classes more often than once per week and they prefer practising in the morning.

30-49-Year-Olds Practice Yoga the Most

The group with the most yoga practitioners is the 30-49 age group which represents 43% of yogis. The next biggest group is formed of people aged over 50 who represent 38% of global yoga practitioners. Only 19% are aged between 19 and 29.

There Are Approximately 20,000 Yoga Retreats

Yoga enthusiasts who like to immerse themselves in yoga can choose from around 20,000 yoga retreats around the world. In Canada, yoga retreats can be found in various locations from mountains to lakeside locations. Some of the popular yoga retreats in Canada include Brag Creek, Boston Bar, and Ghost River.

Yoga Accessories, Equipment, And Retreats Are Big Business Globally

The global market for yoga apparel is worth $42.46 billion and the expected annual growth rate is 6%. The yoga mat industry generates $17.64 billion and wellness tourism, including yoga retreats is expected to reach $1.2 trillion in 2023.

Calm is the Most Popular Yoga and Meditation App

The number of yoga and meditation app downloads increased during the pandemic. The most popular app is Calm, which has been downloaded 9.6 million times from Apple Store and Google Play. It offers people exercises and courses that help to reduce anxiety and stress using breathing techniques and music. Yoga Go and Headspace are the next popular downloads both having been downloaded 5.2 million times, while Meditopia has been downloaded 4.6 million times.

Conclusion

Yoga, an ancient form of exercise originating from India and combining physical exercise with mental and spiritual practices, has grown in popularity in Canada. It is now practiced by at least 21% of Canadians.

In recent years, the popularity of online yoga has grown and this development was speeded up by the pandemic. However, after the pandemic, people in Canada have returned to yoga studios, too, and the popularity of the exercise form looks set to continue growing.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Canadian yoga market was worth $861,78 million in 2022.

21% of Canadians practise yoga. However, this percentage is based on survey results from 2019, so the percentage could well be higher now, especially following the pandemic.

How much a yoga instructor can earn depends on their location. However, the average annual salary at the start of 2023 is just under $55,000. Yoga teachers can boost their earnings by offering private sessions.

Around 300 million people practise yoga across the globe. However, this figure could be higher following the pandemic.

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