by Samantha Maracic: Over the past two years, members of both the fitness world and the yoga community were asked to pivot the way they traditionally functioned…

In doing so, yoga, fitness, and wellness trends began to transition away from in-person classes, and navigate instead to the digital space.

With 2022 showing signs of positive change, new yoga and wellness trends are beginning to emerge. From taking things outdoors to yoga for aesthetic purposes, there’s a lot to expect from this year.

These Are the 3 Biggest Yoga and Wellness Trends for 2022:

When it comes to wellness trends this year, here’s what to look out for.

1. In and Out of the Studio Class Offerings

If there is one thing we’ve learned since 2020, it’s that there’s no substitute for human connection. People value having a sense of community, and for that reason, many students have chosen to return to in-person classes.

However, the concept of being part of a local studio will likely look a bit different. While 75% of consumers surveyed in 2021 reported they would eventually return to gyms, many also revealed they would still retain some form of virtual training subscription.

To keep pace with this fitness trend, expect to see more yoga studios offering both. The convenience of both digital and in-person class options is something students enjoy, and so, it will likely increase this year.

2. Yoga Featured In Wellness Events

Another yoga trend you’re likely to see more of in 2022 is yoga to enhance your wellbeing. While it’s no secret that yoga has always enhanced our wellness, this year marks the massive increase of virtual and in-person wellness events that include yoga, meditation, and guided breathwork classes and workshops.

In addition to yoga conferences and festivals coming back onto the scene, broader wellness events are cropping up everywhere with a focus on mental, emotional, and physical wellness.

This mental-emotional-physical focus is met in part with yoga offerings geared towards individuals who may not have had a lot of prior experience with the practice.

There is definite benefit to adding more yoga and wellness events into our schedules and social calendars. In fact, did you know yoga increases the brain’s release of happy chemicals including gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), dopamine, oxytocin, and serotonin?

So, it’s no wonder that teachers, brands, event planners and venues are all finding new ways to help people discover yoga through wellness and deepen their practice to further integrate it into their lives.

3. Face Yoga

If you haven’t heard about this latest yoga trend to take the world by storm, then you may want to buckle up.

Face Yoga, a combination of techniques that include facial exercises, massage, and acupressure, helps to tone facial muscles and improve one’s overall complexion. Sure, yoga has always been said to keep practitioners feeling young, but this style certainly seems to bring the concept of “anti-aging” to a new level.

With skincare taking center stage over the last few years, it is no wonder that beauty enthusiasts are having a similar reaction to Face Yoga.

Existing at the intersection of aesthetics and wellness, this wellness trend boasts some serious benefits including improved circulation, an increase in collagen production, and a reduction in overall tension.

With a few relaxing movements, students can work the 57 muscles found in the face and neck. When performed regularly, practitioners can expect to achieve a tightened, toned, more lifted appearance.

The Takeaway on Wellness Trends in 2022

When it comes to the world of wellness trends, yoga is certainly having a moment. From reconnecting with one another, to moving for improved mental and physical health, there’s no telling where the practice of yoga will go next.

One thing is for sure: yoga is a gift that keeps on giving!

SOURCE: Yoga Approved