Top Yoga Trends in 2022 - What People Are Searching
Is Yoga Still Trendy in 2022?
The short answer is that practicing yoga is a wellness trend that is not only here to stay, but it is also growing in popularity and diversity. A survey conducted by the Yoga Alliance and Yoga Journal found that the number of Americans doing yoga rose from 20.4 million to 36 million between 2012 and 2016. According to The Good Body, although the overwhelming number of yogis are still female, the number of men practicing yoga rose from 4 million in 2012 to 10 million in 2016. Good mental and physical health doesn’t discriminate, so I certainly encourage more men to try yoga.
If you’re like me, it takes you a while before you try something new. So even though we are already a few months into the new year, let’s look at the top 5 yoga trends that many of us have been searching online over the past few months. The global pandemic left its mark on our yoga practices as we adjusted to our new lifestyles and routines. Some of this year’s yoga trends are a result of this shift. Others may be seen as the influence of a new generation of yogis. Regardless of how and why these yoga trends were introduced, the following ones are worth considering. Look at your lifestyle, and particularly what your routine will be like as the world opens up more. Decide which yoga trends will support you in creating the greater inner stillness, vibrancy, and well-being that is yoga.
Outdoor Yoga
Practicing outdoors became a more popular yoga trend as we practiced social distancing during the pandemic. However, did you know about the benefits of being in nature? For those of us who love to hike and explore the great outdoors, we do it for the sheer joy it brings us. So you may be pleasantly surprised to see Select Health’s list of additional health benefits. For one, natural light is healing. So if you are recuperating from an injury or are on pain medication, consider looking for outdoor yoga classes to increase the benefit to your overall well-being. During the pandemic, more people became aware of the benefits of Vitamin D for immune health. Did you know that studies have shown that it may prevent heart attacks, osteoporosis, and cancer? Even just being in nature has proven to boost the immune system. So depending on where you live (and the weather), the good news is that outdoor yoga classes will become a staple offering so consider incorporating this yoga trend into your routine.
If you love practicing yoga outdoors, have you tried SUP yoga? According to Yogapedia, SUP “(stand-up paddleboard) yoga, combines yoga poses with a variation of stand-up paddleboard surfing. The sport incorporates hatha and vinyasa poses on a 10 to 12-foot paddleboard. It is practiced on a calm body of water such as a lake, bay, or slow river.” It requires balance and therefore strengthens your core muscles, which are key to avoiding falling off the board. It may take a few classes before you’re not so worried about falling off but why not be open and explore?
Mini Yoga Classes
For most people, telecommuting or having a hybrid office/home situation will be the norm. What can this mean for your yoga practice? For many, this new schedule will increase demand for shorter classes that can easily be incorporated into the workday. You may be surprised that the Mental Health Foundation UK suggests that 10 minutes of physical activity can improve the quality of life. That is welcome news for even the best procrastinator! Although I experience a deeper benefit in a 75+ minute Kundalini Yoga class, if a shorter class is the difference between you not getting on your mat and being consistent in your practice, incorporate the yoga trend of mini-classes as needed. Also, keep in mind that Kundalini Yoga is considered householders yoga - designed so that even a short kriya (series of exercises) will maintain your vibration while allowing you to quickly get on with your day. It’s not ideal, but maybe you divide up practicing your asanas from your meditation. I find the greatest benefit when I meditate after my asanas but again if you’re under a time constraint, consider this yoga trend.
Aerial Yoga
According to Wikipedia, “Aerial yoga requires a special kind of hammock… hanging from the ceiling. The hammock acts like a swing supporting the hips for forward bends and backbends. Difficult mat-based yoga postures may prove easier to perform through aerial yoga, while the hammock's movement further contributes to adding variety to the aerial workout”. Some students mention that it builds greater core strength training since it requires more balance. Who doesn’t love feeling weightless lying in the hammock? It can take Savasana to a whole new level. That’s why I’m currently in discussions with yoga studios that offer aerial yoga to bring gong sound therapy to them. So keep an eye out for new events and classes!
Virtual Yoga Classes
Who didn’t take a virtual yoga class in the past 2 years? The yoga community pivoted quickly to respond to the needs of people everywhere who were suffering from the effects of the global pandemic. We truly entered global studios where we were no longer practicing with friends in our local studio; we had the opportunity to practice with other students across the globe. Although Zoom fatigue is real, for those of us who will be traveling more or who like the idea of service coming into our homes (as opposed to having to leave our homes), this is a solid option. I offer virtual private Kundalini Yoga classes for those who are just beginning or who would like to deepen their practice with one-on-one support. I would still encourage students to make an effort to attend live classes to come together in the community.
Active Meditation
For many, a yoga practice just isn’t complete without meditation. According to Harvard Medical School, “ Meditation reduces activity in the limbic system—the part of the brain dedicated to emotions. As your emotional reactivity diminishes, you have a more tempered response when faced with stressful situations.” So consider it part of your mental health self-care regime. That said, for some people meditation can be challenging. It will come as no surprise to hear that I strongly recommend incorporating gong sound therapy into your self-care routine since you get the same benefits of meditation but with zero effort.
Another option is one of the latest yoga trends - active meditation. No, it’s not an oxymoron. One active meditation option is walking meditation. Consider walking a labyrinth like the one in the photograph above. According to GoodNet.org, the practice deepens our connection with ourselves and the sacred earth according to Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh. “Take one peaceful step, you can take another, and another. Place your mind at the sole of the foot as you step. When your foot kisses the Earth, your mind also kisses the Earth.” Another active way to get the benefits of meditation is by practicing the ancient art of Tai Chi. It is a gentle practice, so accessible to most. In addition to reducing stress, it also increases balance and flexibility.
Domestic Yoga Retreats
Domestic US travel has certainly increased during the past year and is expected to continue to rise. Although many people will be keen to travel abroad on yoga retreats, it is projected that for the next year, domestic yoga retreats will be the focus for those who want to invest the time to go deeper with their practice. Depending on where you live, a Google search for “yoga retreats near me” may surprise you with a list of options close to home. Many of the teachers that you would study with overseas may be staying stateside, as well. So don’t think of it as less of an experience.
A Little Known Trend: Increased Interest in Kundalini Yoga
These challenging times are calling many people to explore their spirituality, which brings them to information about their subtle, or energetic selves. There is increased curiosity about Kundalini Awakenings and awareness of what it truly means to view ourselves as complex, holistic beings. For many, this brings them to Kundalini Yoga. As people learn more about the efficiency of Kundalini Yoga (since it is the yoga of meridians) and the inclusion of vibrational medicine and meditation, they are intrigued and for many, a regular practice becomes an addition to their wellness routine.
Summary: 2022 Marks a Return to Inner Focus
Although this may not be a yoga trend, I am including it (as a wish for our collective well-being). Yoga Journal recently interviewed some leading yoga teachers for their perspectives on the direction yoga is taking. There was a lot of mention of the impact of social media on the industry. Exposing more people to the science of yoga and offering useful information is certainly a plus. However, teachers also noted concerns over the heavy use of advanced postures. For me, Gina Caputo, founder of the Colorado School of Yoga, summed it up best, “For people to experience yoga’s full potential potency, I think we need to collectively shift emphasis away from the execution of complex, photo-worthy postures, and towards the cultivation of awareness and the transcendence of conditioned consciousness. In other words, much more balanced focus on the outer (gross) and inner (subtle) aspects of the practice.
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