What Happened to Yoga?

It used to be the peak symbol of wellness. Now many studios can barely stay open.

What Happened to Yoga?

TL;DR

  • Yoga studios are struggling financially, with many closing or facing unsustainable business models, exacerbated by the pandemic and rising costs.
  • While yoga is still practiced, its status as the defining symbol of holistic health has waned.
  • Many yoga studios are cutting back on yoga classes and incorporating other fitness styles like Pilates to stay afloat.
  • The cultural perception of wellness has shifted from yoga's focus on inner peace and mindfulness to a contemporary obsession with outward physical perfection.
  • Historically, yoga in the US evolved from a countercultural spiritual pursuit to a mainstream fitness trend, emphasizing physical benefits and celebrity endorsements.