Results of survey conducted by InSpiral Yoga's founder Mercedes R. Bermejo about Yoga practitioners behavior.

2. 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

3. 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.

4. 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

5. most important
elements of
a class
#1.
restorative
poses
#3.
#2.
relaxation
savasana
structured
vinyasa
#4.
#5.
creative
vinyasa
note: visit the appendix section for the complete results
#6.
core work
meditation

6. reasons to choose a yoga studio

7. top six preferred activities during a retreat

8. how much for a
retreat…
 61% of the
respondents agreed they
can pay $200 to $499
 32% agreed they can
pay $500 to $999

9. 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

10. what yogis are missing

11. 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.

12. 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!

14. top 6 preferred activities during a retreat
Hiking
30.23%
Surfing
62.79%
Kayaking
Horseback
riding
67.44%
32.56%
Music/Singing
workshop
Wine
tas;ng
16.28%
27.91%
11.63%
16.28%
9.30%
Cooking
lessons
Gardening
Sustainable
Farming
41.86%
20.93%
37.21%
Sustainability
workshop
Spa-­‐Massage
Reiki

15. most important elements of a class
#1. restorative poses
#2. structure vinyasa
#3. savasana.
.
note: rated in order of preference being #1. the most preferred. Graphic based on averages