Reaching Inner Harmony

A bucolic spot and comfortable clothes are all you need to do yoga, a major reason the ancient Hindu practice has become big business. As with most business trends, there is always potential for upscaling, however. On top of classes, yogis in search of their higher self are now buying higher-end equipment and traveling to exotic retreats. According to IBISWorld Market Research, yoga-generated revenues are estimated to hit $3.3 billion this year, up from $1 billion in 2001.

While yoga can be done on the cheap just about anywhere, spending on trendy yoga gear and fancy yoga retreats boosts costs quickly. Bloomberg Rankings researched the potential cost for a woman living in New York to start practicing yoga and to continue for one year.

Note: Data providers and methodology appear on the final slide. Brand mentions are not endorsements.