Characteristics of Practicing Yoga Therapists in the United States and Canada: An Update

Yoga therapy is an emerging therapeutic healthcare profession. A 2017 workforce survey established an initial understanding of yoga therapists in the United States and Canada. The present study builds on this work by offering updates and additional insights based on the results of a follow-up workforce survey completed in January 2024. Specifically, this study describes the sociodemographic, practice, income, and employment characteristics of yoga therapists. A cross-sectional, descriptive e-survey yielded responses from 360 yoga therapists practicing in the United States and Canada. Respondents were predominantly women (91.9%), middle-aged (80.5%), and White (86.9%), although more than 60 ethnic and cultural backgrounds were represented. The majority of participants reported earning incomes below $75,000 and practiced tele-remotely most frequently (41.4%). Conditions most frequently seen in practice include general wellness, chronic pain, and mental health. Although several characteristics of yoga therapists mirror those established in 2017, this updated workforce study found a maturing workforce with continued lack of diversity, albeit complemented by varied backgrounds, experiences, and practices. Shifts in education and training suggest dynamic changes in the workforce. Employment and income indicators point to a portfolio career consisting of multiple roles and sources of income. These findings highlight opportunities for the development of improved outreach and recruitment strategies, updated training modules, and promotion of yoga therapy services to advance professional acceptability and support a sustainable career path.