Demand for yoga instructors likely to increase by 35 percent: ASSOCHAM

The increased focus on yoga by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government, coupled with growing awareness about the traditional Indian ways of dealing with stress in the corporate sector has improved job opportunities in yoga training with commensurate demand for trainers set to grow by 30-35 percent in the couple of years, according to an ASSOCHAM paper.

The initiative like 'International Yoga Day' has brought the enhanced focus on yoga at a global level. On the other hand, due to lifestyle stress, more and more people are taking to yoga which requires trained teachers.

According to the paper done by ASSOCHAM Health Council events like 'International Yoga Day' will also give way to yoga tourism in India.

"Today, Yoga has millions of practitioners worldwide. It promises to become multi-billion dollar market in the form of health clinics, ayurveda resorts, holiday camps, corporate training etc.," said the Secretary General of ASSOCHAM, D.S. Rawat.

With the high unemployment rate and increasing stress of everyday modern life, it is no surprise that the demand for yoga teachers has grown exponentially, according to the paper.

The preventive survey carried by the Associated Chamber of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) has revealed that south India has taken a lead in practising yoga as 15 percent of people in the age group of 30-70 years are availing the preventive healthcare measures as against the other region. The West region registered the third position followed by East and North East.

The career as a yoga trainer/therapist is fast emerging as a new generation vocation offering glitz, glamour, and upward mobility. As per the paper, with yoga gaining popularity around the world, there's a shortage of trained yoga instructors.

The recent statistics reveal that corporates and business firms are facing the problem of stress among their staff members. Depression alone affects more than 350 million people globally and is the leading cause of disability worldwide, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Stress and mental illness are also a major cause of work place productivity loss. Obesity and diabetes and heart disease are rising fast as our lifestyle changes. Alzheimer disease is expected to triple in coming decades.

"Yoga is not only the greatest stress buster, but it is also an effective therapy option It prevents and cures diseases and promotes general good health as it imparts mental, spiritual, and physical well being," said the Chairman of ASSOCHAM Health Committee Council, Dr. B.K. Rao.

As per the ASSOCHAM recent estimates, there is about a 30-40 percent annual increase in demand for yoga learning in India with a growing publicity and health awareness. This demand trend will accelerate.

"Yoga helps people to think clearly, sharpens intelligence, improves learning ability, helps cope with problems and produces better job performance. About 14.3 million people in the India practised yoga in 2013, up from 6.3 million in 2001. According to the paper, the popularity of yoga amongst celebrities makes teaching yoga an even more lucrative profession. It could vary from Rs 400 to Rs 1,500 per hour depending upon the policy of the institution and the experience," said the Co-Chairman of Health Committee Council of ASSOCHAM, Dr. H.K. Chopra.