The pilates and yoga industry has grown massively in recent years, driven by consumer desire to focus on mental health and wellbeing.
Originating from Northern India, yoga blends spiritual, mental and physical disciplines to help with wellbeing.
Yoga has become so popular, that according to finder.com, the pilates and yoga industry has a revenue of over £895 million in 2023 in the UK, and is home to 4,800 yoga and pilates businesses.
But the industry has changed massively over the past few years, driven by advancements in technology. Here, we look at some of the ways tech has changed the yoga industry and explore the startups innovating in the sector.
How Has Tech Changed The Yoga And Pilates Industry?
Like in most areas, the yoga and pilates industry has changed alongside technology.
Here’s how:
Smart Yoga Mats
Whilst yoga mats were once simple bits of material, modern smart mats can do so much more.
Designed with sensors that can provide real-time feedback on posture and position, they can be a real game-changer for anyone wanting to focus on improving their form.
Not only this, the mat can track progress, even connecting to online classes to deliver them at home.
Online Classes
Whilst yoga studios remain popular, more companies are now offering options that include sessions online.
Whilst this does remove the element of community, it can also mean increased flexibility for yogis, allowing them to do classes whenever and wherever they want.
Wearables
Wearable technology has revolutionised almost every area of exercise.
These devices, be they watches, rings or clip on sensors, provide real-time performance data about the wearer. This allows people to get better data around the physical health benefits of exercise.
VR Yoga
A step above online classes, businesses are now offering VR Yoga classes, that provide a more immersive home experience.
These VR sets transform yogis to any environment they choose, allowing them to experience yoga in a virtual reality.
Startups For Yoga Lovers
Alongside tech advancement, a number of startups have also flocked to innovate in the yoga space. Some of these include:
YogiFi
YogiFi is a company that has developed a smart yoga mat, built with AI and designed to help people take their yoga to the next level.
The company markets the mat as an individual’s ‘personal yoga coach’, providing guidance, feedback and curated classes for their progression.
Yoganect
Yoganect is a community marketplace, designed to bring together like-minded yoga lovers.
Their digital hub connects people and allows them to book yoga classes, share knowledge and build relationships with other yogis worldwide.
XR Sweat
XR Sweat is a VR yoga experience, downloadable on MetaQuest.
The company allows individuals to practice yoga from their home, accompanied by a virtual instructor in an environment of their choice.
This allows people to enjoy all the benefits of a real life yoga instructor, but from the comfort of their own home.
YogaTrail
YogaTrail is a company that allows yogis to follow their favourite instructors and studios.
Almost like a social network, it connects people to show them the latest classes near them, led by the teachers they love most.
The platform is free and easy to use, helping teachers widen their network and yogis find the perfect instructor for them.
Down Dog
Down Dog is an app that provides a studio-like yoga experience from the comfort of your own home.
The app generates new flows, based on a person’s time, level and focus selection – helping them practice daily around their schedule.
