The Power of Yoga Statistics and Demographics in Finding Your Target Market

Last Updated on 13 September, 2024

So, you want to open a yoga studio. Or maybe you’re already a proud studio owner looking to niche down and grow your business. Either way, your first step should be to find your target yoga demographics.

According to 2024 data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, around one in six adults in the U.S. practice yoga. Pinpointing your target market among the hundreds or even thousands of people who may practice yoga within your local area alone will enable you to retain existing clients and attract new ones.

That same research discovered that around 80% of yoga students practice to improve their health, while 30% practice to manage pain. This statistic along with more information about your target market can inform the way your yoga instructors design their classes.

In this blog, we discuss:

• Researching yoga statistics and your local market
• Identifying and understanding your yoga demographics
• Increasing organic traffic with yoga keywords
• Selecting your yoga style
• Growing your yoga studio with WellnessLiving

Researching yoga statistics and your local market

Before identifying your ideal clients, it’s important to understand the yoga business in general. Find recent yoga statistics to gain insights into trends you can leverage for potential opportunities. For example, get an idea of how many people do yoga in your community. Is there a popular style of yoga that isn’t offered in your local area? Maybe that’s the style your studio should specialize in.

Here are some other factors to consider as you conduct market research:

Explore your local competitors

There are endless general yoga stats online. The key is to narrow down your research to your local yoga market. Then look at competitors on search engines and social media to see how yoga is growing in your area compared to other regions. For example, in some regions, yoga popularity is rapidly increasing in general or more men are taking up a regular practice. In other areas participation rates may be more stable.

You should also know the number of yoga studios in your area, the styles they offer, and how they market themselves.

Narrow down your yoga target audience

Through research, you’ll discover illuminating yoga industry statistics. Maybe people of certain age groups, income brackets, or levels of experience are more likely to participate in the styles of yoga you offer. This information can help you decide which demographics to target.

Identify gaps in the market that your studio can fill

When looking at competitors, identify gaps in the market. Are there underserved communities or underrepresented styles of yoga? This could be your chance to fill that niche or serve a specific audience.

Identifying and understanding your yoga demographics: How many people practice yoga and who are they?

Want to know how many people practice yoga? Around 300 million people practice yoga worldwide regularly. So, targeting the right demographics is crucial to your yoga studio’s success. By understanding who is most likely to benefit from and enjoy your classes, you can tailor your marketing and offerings to meet their needs. You can also generate more ideas to grow your yoga studio’s clientele.

Some of the most important factors to consider are:

Age range and level

Age range and experience level are two foundational ways to identify your target market. For example, if you notice a large portion of your audience is aged 25-35 with intermediate yoga experience, you might offer more intense and fitness-focused classes like Power or Hot Yoga. But if you want to serve older clients who are new to yoga, you might offer gentler styles like Hatha or Chair Yoga.

Lifestyle and interests

Consider the lifestyle and interests of your target demographics. Are they busy professionals looking to unwind or be active? Are they retirees with time to invest in longer, slow-paced, and meditative classes? Or are they expecting mothers looking for prenatal exercise?

Understanding your potential clients’ goals and lifestyles will help you create the most effective classes and schedules and offer the right blend of online and in-person sessions. Building a schedule that caters to your clients’ lifestyles and when they’re available for classes is a proven way to attract more clients.

Cultural and community considerations

In the competitive yoga industry, it’s easy to forget about building a community with your studio. For example, if you’re in a diverse community, you can offer classes in different languages to attract a wider range of clients. Additionally, being community-focused can help you foster client loyalty.

Income levels

Consider your ideal clients’ income levels. A CDC survey published in 2024 found that people with higher incomes were more likely to practice yoga. This can influence your pricing strategy, your yoga studio’s location, and more.

It can also be an opportunity to cater to beginners and those with lower incomes by offering an accessible range of pricing options, including drop-in classes and promotional class packages.

Use client profiles

Client profiles help you zero in on how to best structure and schedule your classes. Here’s an example followed by some thought-starter questions:

Name: Shannon
Age: 25-35
Gender: Woman
Yoga Experience level: Intermediate
Occupation: Office worker
Goals: Increase flexibility and lose weight

With this information, you can start asking the right questions. Which styles would help this client achieve her goals? How would you ensure your classes are engaging and challenging enough for a student with her level of experience? Would a meditative yoga style help her with work-related stress? Remember to always put yourself in the student’s shoes to elevate the client experience.

Increasing organic traffic with yoga keywords

Once you understand your yoga demographics, ensure your audience can find you online. This is where keywords come into play.

Conduct keyword research

Keyword research can boost your ranking and increase website traffic. Tools like Google Keyword Planner, Ahrefs, and Semrush will help you find keywords that potential clients are searching for and understand their search intent. Be sure to also use a mix of short and long-tail keywords.

Long-tail keywords typically include locations or specific services. Here are some examples:

• Prenatal yoga near me
• Yoga studios for seniors in Miami
• Hot Yoga in South Florida
• Yoga class for beginners in Miami

Short-tail keywords are less specific. Here are some examples:

• Hot Yoga
• Yoga studios
• Yin Yoga

Incorporate keywords into your content

Once you’ve identified the right yoga keywords, incorporate them strategically into your website content. Make sure they appear on your homepage and in class descriptions, blog posts, meta descriptions, and image tags.

For example, if you’re targeting beginners, use terms like “yoga for beginners.” Be sure to use keywords in a natural-sounding way to ensure your content is high-quality and flows well as visitors read through it.

Stay up to date with relevant keywords

Blogging, updating your website, and posting regularly on social media are powerful ways to drive website traffic. Conduct research often to see if there are any relevant and commonly searched-for questions that your content can answer. This strategy will help your search ranking and establish your studio as a knowledgeable yoga business in your local scene.

Selecting your yoga style

One of the biggest aspects of your yoga studio’s branding and identity will be the yoga styles you decide to teach. This will also dictate your approach to your website and other content.

Here is a rundown of some popular yoga styles you should consider and the types of clients they appeal to most:

Yin Yoga

Yin Yoga focuses on recovery and deep tissue release. It has gained popularity in recent years for its meditative and restorative qualities.

Demographic: Yin Yoga is for those seeking a slower practice, better flexibility, and enhanced mindfulness. As a result, it’s especially appealing to older adults, students with injuries, and people looking for stress management.

Hatha Yoga

Hatha Yoga is one of the most popular styles, known for its gentle and foundational approach to postures and breathwork.

Demographic: Hatha appeals to a wide range of students, including beginners and anyone wanting an accessible way to stay active. Hatha is attractive to students who want to increase their overall well-being. This style will likely draw clients of all experience levels.

Power Yoga

Since its start in the 1990s, Power Yoga has attracted students who want a fitness-oriented practice. It’s a cardiovascular workout that builds strength and boosts stamina.

Demographic: This style is typically a favorite of younger demographics, experienced students, and people with specific fitness goals.

Vinyasa

Vinyasa Yoga is one of the most popular styles in the United States. It’s characterized by dynamic, flowing sequences that synchronize breath with movement. It can vary in intensity and be meditative.

Demographic: Vinyasa attracts a range of clients, including fitness enthusiasts, younger adults, and yoga beginners. Offering this style helps you cater to clients seeking versatile and engaging classes to attend regularly.

Hot Yoga

Hot Yoga can be any style of yoga done in a heated room to promote sweat and detoxification.

Demographic: Hot Yoga is great for fitness-minded clients who want to increase strength and flexibility. Many also find motivation in the mental and physical demands of practicing yoga with added heat.

Growing your yoga studio with WellnessLiving

With all these elements and ideas to consider, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed as you try to build and grow your yoga studio. That’s where WellnessLiving comes in.

The right business management yoga studio software is key to growing and scaling your business. Our all-in-one solution will help you streamline operations, automate marketing, and elevate the client experience.

 

Ready for a solution that helps your yoga studio attract and retain more clients? Book your no-commitment demo today.