Mumbai: Ahead of International Yoga Day, Hansa Research’s latest year-on-year study reveals that yoga continues to remain deeply embedded in urban India’s lifestyle, while evolving beyond its traditional association with physical fitness into a broader practice linked to spiritual growth, cultural identity, mindfulness, and holistic wellbeing.
The study highlights that awareness of International Yoga Day remains exceptionally high, with 88% of respondents recognising the occasion in 2026, compared to 95% in 2025. Despite a marginal decline in awareness, yoga continues to command strong relevance across age groups.
Consumers also continue to view yoga as an important symbol of India’s cultural identity and global influence, although the share of respondents who strongly agree with this perspective declined from 77% in 2025 to 64% this year.
Participation levels remain robust. More than half of urban Indians surveyed (56%) said they practise yoga every day, while another 22% engage a few times each week, taking total weekly participation to 78%. Although daily participation eased from 64% last year, yoga continues to rank among the most widely adopted wellness practices. At the same time, the proportion of non-practitioners rose from 2% to 8%, indicating a growing range of wellness choices among consumers.
One of the strongest shifts identified in the study is in the way people perceive yoga. While physical wellness remains the dominant association, yoga is increasingly viewed through a more holistic lens. The percentage of respondents linking yoga with spiritual growth rose significantly from 46% in 2025 to 58% in 2026. Similarly, those associating yoga with a global fitness movement increased from 29% to 45%, while connections with India’s cultural heritage rose from 24% to 33%.
The findings suggest that yoga is increasingly being embraced as a practice that supports self-awareness, emotional balance, mindfulness, and personal development, while helping individuals remain connected to their cultural roots.
Yoga’s perceived effectiveness also remains strong among practitioners. Nearly 65% said yoga helps reduce stress and anxiety, while 49% reported relief from physical discomfort. Additionally, 67% believe yoga is more effective than other forms of exercise. Though these numbers are lower than 2025 levels, they continue to reinforce yoga’s position as a trusted and enduring wellness practice.
Community engagement remains a key driver of participation, with 82% of respondents saying they have taken part in mass yoga sessions organised by schools, workplaces, or public institutions. While slightly lower than last year’s 89%, the data reflects continued enthusiasm for community-led yoga experiences and public celebrations.
The study also points to yoga’s increasing relevance among younger audiences. More than three-fourths (76%) of respondents under 30 expressed interest in attending yoga, music, and wellness festivals in their cities. Around two-thirds reported being inspired to try yoga through celebrities, influencers, or fitness brands.
Social media continues to influence discovery, although its impact appears to be maturing, with respondents citing social media trends as a reason for trying yoga falling from 42% in 2025 to 30% in 2026. Guided yoga sessions, breathing practices, journaling, and mindfulness-led experiences continue to gain traction.
Commenting on the findings, Piyali Chatterjee Konar, Executive Vice President, Head – Customer Experience /UX/B2B at Hansa Research Group Private Limited said, “The findings indicate that yoga’s relevance is evolving rather than diminishing. While physical wellbeing continues to be the primary reason people engage with yoga, we are seeing greater recognition of its role in supporting mental wellness, emotional balance and spiritual growth. What’s particularly noteworthy is the stronger connection consumers are making between yoga, cultural heritage and holistic living. For younger audiences especially, yoga is becoming part of a broader lifestyle centred around mindfulness, community and self-care. This ability to remain rooted in tradition while adapting to contemporary needs is what continues to make yoga so relevant today.”
Overall, the study suggests that while participation indicators have softened slightly year-on-year, yoga’s role in people’s lives continues to expand beyond exercise into an increasingly meaningful practice encompassing wellness, spirituality, cultural connection, and mindful living. The findings also indicate opportunities for brands, institutions, and policymakers to create stronger engagement through community-led initiatives and formats that resonate with younger generations.
