From Kadhas to AI Yoga: India’s ancient wisdom powers $120B industry

Yoga and Ayurveda have increasingly become vital facets of lifestyle and wellness within the Indian American community, blending traditional roots with modern innovations. This cultural adoption is backed by significant market growth and evolving habits that prioritize holistic health over conventional gym exercises and pharmaceuticals.

Rising statistics: Indian Americans and the Yoga-Ayurveda wave

The North American yoga and meditation market is valued around $22.4 billion in 2025, growing steadily at about 9.1 per cent CAGR expected through 2035. In the US, yoga has permeated deeply: approximately 11 per cent of the population practices yoga regularly, encompassing around 36 million Americans. Indian Americans, with a strong cultural connection to these traditions, actively drive and participate in this growth.

Globally, the yoga market exceeds $120 billion in 2025 and is projected to keep growing with innovations like AI and hybrid yoga (a mix of in-person and virtual classes).

Ayurveda, India's ancient system of natural healing, also sees heightened interest as Indian Americans adopt preventive health measures via herbal supplements, dietary routines, and lifestyle adjustments. The wellness sector overall is embracing holistic and sustainable health practices, reflecting the integration of Ayurveda within mainstream health conversations.

Hybrid Yoga: An alternative to gym exercises

The Indian American community exemplifies a shift toward hybrid yoga, favoring it over traditional gym workouts and steroid-enhanced fitness. Hybrid yoga merges conventional in-studio sessions with virtual classes augmented by AI-powered personalization—for instance, AI apps like Skill Yoga with Movement Coach, FitYoga, and Trueyogi analyze practitioners’ postures via smartphone cameras and tailor routines in real time. This facilitates accessible, safe, and highly customized practice, fitting modern schedules and goals better than rigid gym routines.

Additionally, smart yoga wearables (such as Apple Watch and Fitbit) monitor heart rate, breath control, and physical activity during sessions, supporting wellness with data-backed insights. Indian Americans are among early adopters of this technology, blending age-old yoga philosophy with health tech, which has contributed to the growing $16 billion annual spend in the US on yoga classes, accessories, and equipment.

Simple lifestyle habits and Ayurvedic kadhas for wellness

Incorporating Ayurveda into daily routines, Indian Americans cultivate life-changing habits for maintaining gut health and overall vitality. Ayurvedic kadhas—herbal decoctions made from ingredients like tulsi, ginger, cinnamon, and black pepper—are popular additions to morning rituals. These kadhas promote digestion, boost immunity, and support energy balance.

Some effective tips for a healthy start include:

• Drinking warm lemon water or herbal kadhas early morning to stimulate digestion.
• Practicing pranayama (breath control) and light yoga stretches to awaken body and mind.
• Consuming balanced diets emphasizing fresh fruits, vegetables, and spices with anti-inflammatory properties.
• Prioritizing mindfulness and meditation to reduce stress and improve mental clarity.
• Using natural oils and self-massage (Abhyanga) to enhance circulation and relaxation.

These simple, holistic practices help Indian Americans maintain wellness and counter the stressors of modern life.

Americans embrace Yoga and Ayurveda over traditional gym and steroids

Yoga and Ayurveda’s popularity continues to rise across the broader American population as an effective and natural alternative to gym workouts and pharmaceuticals, including steroids.

Statistics show over 86 per cent of yoga practitioners witness significant stress reduction, and companies increasingly integrate yoga into corporate wellness programs—with 44 per cent offering yoga as part of employee health benefits. More than 90 per cent of US gyms now offer yoga classes, highlighting its mainstream acceptance.

Americans are drawn to yoga’s holistic benefits—improving flexibility, mental health, and chronic condition management—without the risks associated with steroids or high-intensity weight lifting.

The yoga industry is expanding rapidly in the US, estimated to grow at a 9.6 per cent CAGR through 2028, reflecting the shift towards sustainable, mind-body wellness practices.

The integration of Ayurveda further complements this trend, with rising demand for natural dietary supplements and treatments. Indian American entrepreneurs have contributed to this growth by launching Ayurvedic wellness startups and educating wider audiences on holistic health principles.

Indian Americans are at the forefront of a wellness revolution in the US, blending yoga and Ayurveda with technological advancements and hybrid delivery models to foster accessible, personalized health regimes.

Their embrace of simple Ayurvedic habits and AI-empowered yoga contrasts with conventional gym workouts and steroid use, reflecting a broad societal shift toward holistic, preventive, and sustainable wellness. Increasing adoption by Americans of all backgrounds underscores yoga and Ayurveda’s transformational potential in shaping healthier lifestyles nationwide.