Recent Study Shows Yoga Is Among Top Complementary Therapies

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A study conducted by the American government on the subject of alternative medicine was released on Tuesday February 11. This recent study shows yoga is among top complementary therapies.
According to the survey, more than 21 million American citizens practice yoga. In comparison to 2002, the numbers doubled. The number of yoga practitioners aged between 45 and 64 years old has risen from 5.2 % to 7.2%. Also, a lot of people from the Latino community have started doing yoga.
Among the reasons for starting yoga practice were physical well-being, chronic pain control or in an attempt to lessen anxiety but also in order to and to increase mindfulness.
The authors of the study explained that yoga is also popular because one can practice it at home, without needing to invest in pricey equipment.
Children have also taken a liking to this Indian practice as public schools have started to include yoga in their fitness curriculum.
The study analyzed various forms of alternative medicine and supplements that have become popular amongst American citizens. Fish oil, due to its high content of omega-3 fatty acids, is still holding the lead amongst supplements as is has for the last 5 years. In 2012 there was an increase in fish oil usage to 7.8% from 4.8% (data recorded in 2007).
The study revealed that out of the total number of U.S. health consumer, a third of them are using complementary therapies, different from the traditional Western medicine. Complementary therapies refer to yoga, acupuncture, chiropractic therapy, meditation, massage and the usage of herbal products.
Indians, however, disagree with the way yoga is being practiced in the Western world. This opinion has become even more popular since the dawn of such derived practices as power yoga, hip hop yoga or hot haha yoga which are becoming more and more popular in the United States.
Hindus are not planning to rebrand the original yoga method. According to traditional practitioners, yoga has been diluted and modified in such a way that it no longer contains the essence of this 2500 year old practice. So nowadays, the poses we learn in yoga classes are just a small fraction of the whole routine.
Nonetheless, the number of American yoga practitioners is on the rise.
Image Source: Camel City Yoga

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