Today’s yoga trends might at first glance seem a far reach to what we know of the ancient early practices some 5,000 years ago. Yet a closer look at the current trends within the yoga world uncovers a deep curiosity toward self-discovery and a yearning for more meaningful present moment experiences.
What our modern-day lifestyle adds to ancient yoga – and particularly in the digital age – is an emphasis on connecting with others. The most striking thing about the variety of yoga trends is how they push the envelope on how and in what medium we can use the tools of yoga.
In this article, we’ll explore the top current yoga trends that are expected to gain momentum throughout 2024.
Here’s the list:
Adaptive Yoga
Face Yoga
Virtual Yoga
Mindfulness
Rhythmic Breathing
Yoga for Mental Health
Yoga Festival Resurgence
These Are the Top Yoga Trends of 2024:
1. Adaptive Yoga: Yoga for All
Adaptive yoga is an accessible form of yoga for those who might have physical limitations due to illness, age, or disability. It uses variations/modifications, yoga props, chairs, and/or adjustments to adapt the poses to the body, rather than the body to the pose.
It’s so good to see more awareness of adaptive yoga spread throughout the yoga community. It brings a sense of belonging and empowerment for individuals with disabilities while also promoting diversity within the yoga community demonstrating that yoga truly is for every body.
As yoga continues to gain momentum, adaptive yoga will continue to grow as a genuine way for yoga to be accessible for all.
2. Face Yoga: Self-Care for Natural Beauty
Face Yoga is becoming a popular holistic approach to self-care and beauty, not to mention it’s the perfect antidote for those not wanting to invest in costly injectables and enhancements of the like.
Face Yoga uses a combination of massage and facial exercises to tone facial muscles which can enhance your facial structure and tone skin elasticity when practiced consistently over a period of time.
This yoga trend will continue to gain popularity in 2024 and beyond as people seek natural alternatives to skincare and embrace a more holistic approach to beauty and self-care.
Try Face Yoga for Yourself With These 3 Exercises
3. Virtual Yoga: Fostering a Global Connection
Online yoga offers yoga practitioners unparalleled access to classes and teachers from all over the world in the comfort of their own homes. It’s a cost effective, flexible and convenient way for yoga students of any level and from anywhere in the world to practice and learn from teachers they wouldn’t otherwise have access to.
Advanced technologies coupled with feedback from students on what they want from their online practice will create new ways to personalize classes, create communities, and optimize the virtual practice space.
We expect that online yoga will continue to grow and usher in new and exciting ways to practice yoga at home and connect with other students and teachers on a global scale.
Did you know? YouAligned is named top ten global online yoga resources?!
Have you tried YA Classes by YouAligned yet? We have a library of over 1,000 online yoga classes (plus meditation, fitness, Pilates, barre, and more). Start your free trial and press play on a class today.
4. Mindfulness: Much-Needed Present Moment Awareness In a Fast-Paced World
Mindfulness can be practiced anytime, anywhere by simply becoming aware of the present moment and the task at hand, whether it’s the breath, doing the dishes, or anything else.
When we are present we release anxiety and stress and ease into a state of peace. Yoga teachers often weave mindfulness throughout classes by drawing students attention to their breath or body part to foster a mind-body connection.
Rooted in ancient Buddhism, mindfulness continues to gain popularity in today’s modern world – in yoga, meditation, and daily life – for its simple yet profound practice that allows people to let go of stress and be present.
Interested In Mindfulness Meditation? Here’s How to Get Started (From a Meditation Coach)
5. Rhythmic Breathing: Using Breath to Enhance Energy
Rhythmic breathing is an emerging practice that involves synchronizing the breath with rhythmic patterns using deep diaphragmatic breath. For instance, inhaling for a specified count, holding for a specified count, exhaling a specified count, and holding for a specified count.
Rhythmic breathing includes popular breathing techniques like Box Breathing (also known as 4-4-4-4 Breath) or 4-7-8 Breathing (inhaling for a count of 4, exhaling for a count of 7, holding your breath out for a count of 8).
When the pace and depth of each inhalation and exhalation is regulated, practitioners can induce a state of deep relaxation, heightened awareness and enhanced energy. While breath regulation is nothing new within the yoga practice, rhythmic breathing offers a fresh approach to those who may not practice the physical poses.
2024 continues to see a rise in the popularity of rhythmic breathing – and dedicated breathwork classes, workshops, and trainings.
YA Classes offers breathwork classes!
Meditation Class
With Ashton August
Check out our latest breathwork class led by Ashton August, along with our library of other guided breathwork classes.
6. Yoga: With a Focus on Mental Health
In The Yoga Sutras, Patanjali tells us that the purpose of yoga is to “still the fluctuations of the mind.” It’s no wonder that health practitioners and people of all walks of life are beginning to recognize yoga as a valuable tool to help relieve stress, manage depression, decrease anxiety, promote better sleep and so much more.
Trauma-informed yoga is a yoga class led by a qualified teacher with experience working with trauma survivors. These classes create a safe space for students to practice yoga with the aim of building confidence, feeling safe in the body, and lessening trauma response symptoms.
In 2024, we’re seeing a surge in yoga offerings specifically tailored to address mental health concerns such as stress, anxiety, depression, and trauma.
7. Yoga Festivals: Making a Resurgence
Yoga festivals are group gatherings that celebrate yoga through classes, workshops, music, dance and community connections.
In a post-covid world people are yearning for more meaningful connections and immersive in-person experiences, we’re noticing that yoga festivals are making a comeback!
In 2024 and beyond, we anticipate yoga festivals to grow in popularity and size. These gatherings of like minded-people showcasing inspiration, creativity, and community by providing a fun and diverse array of experiences. Yoga festivals often feature a wide range of yoga styles, wellness modalities while bringing together local businesses and vendors with the global yoga community.
Yoga Trends of 2024: The Takeaway
Trends of 2024 reflect a rich landscape characterized by self-discovery, present moment awareness, inclusivity and community.
Recognizing trends within the yoga community allows us to witness the evolution of the yoga practice. We realize, together, that collectively we shape the yoga journey.
What did you think of these yoga trends? Any that are passing fads, or any that are here to stay? Any additional trends you didn’t see listed here? Let us know in the comments – we love hearing from you!
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