This NY Times article talks about how hotels and resorts are improving the guest experience and catering to the popularity of yoga by providing yoga classes. According to the article, while the previous hotel yoga programs used to be an on demand class on TV or a class with yoga masters at resorts, the yoga programs at hotel chains and resorts have developed into something more complex. The article suggests that the yoga class is a must-have amenity, such as WiFi. According to the Yoga Journal, 7% of Americans (15.8 million people) practiced yoga in 2008.
Some resorts have developed their yoga program by hiring a yoga instructor. In another example, the InterContinental Montelucia Resort & Spa contracted with a local chain of Arizona yoga studios. To increase the appeal of the program, some places combine their yoga program with other activities, like skiing in the Ski to Live program.
The article ends with some interesting quotes from spokespeople of Four Seasons and Kimpton. Christopher W. Norton of Four Seasons says that they would not build a spa without allocating space for yoga. Niki Leondakis of Kimpton mentions that yoga is an easy program to offer, since it does not need a lot of gear or space.
