Growth in Mind-Body Therapies During the Pandemic
Complementary practices have increased significantly, particularly via online classes.
Mindfulness meditation and yoga classes have seen explosive growth since the onset of the pandemic. A report on the Mindful USC program at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles said, “Registration for [mindfulness] classes is up 86% from the same time last year, and some classes [have] tripled in size. Most courses now accommodate as many as 100 registrants.” The top 10 wellness apps experienced 2 million downloads in April 2020, and industry leaders predict that virtual wellness will be a booming business for years to come.
For more information, see “Pandemic Drives Increase in Mind-Body Therapy Use: Implications for the Future” in Alternative and Complementary Therapies (2020; 26 [6]).
See also: Growth in Yoga and Meditation Practice
Shirley Eichenberger-Archer, JD, MA
Shirley Archer, JD, MA, is an internationally acknowledged integrative health and mindfulness specialist, best-selling author of 16 fitness and wellness books translated into multiple languages and sold worldwide, award-winning health journalist, contributing editor to Fitness Journal, media spokesperson, and IDEA's 2008 Fitness Instructor of the Year. She's a 25-year industry veteran and former health and fitness educator at the Stanford Prevention Research Center, who has served on multiple industry committees and co-authored trade books and manuals for ACE, ACSM and YMCA of the USA. She has appeared on TV worldwide and was a featured trainer on America's Next Top Model.
