Yoga has long been the activity stereotypically associated with wellness, and for good reason. Yoga is associated with lower stress levels, better heart health, better moods, and improved strength and flexibility, according to Johns Hopkins. An estimated 300 million people and counting practice yoga, which has become an $80 billion industry. 

For second home locations with key wellness credentials, provisions for yogis are an advantage. High numbers of yoga studios with relatively affordable classes are important, along with easily accessible yoga necessities such as high-quality leggings and low-cost smoothies for post-class socialising.

Add in the other essentials for a proper yogi location: high quality of life, excellent air quality, and lower property costs, and you have the Savills Yoga Index. This index can be used to identify locations which might be most desirable for buyers looking to truly prioritise their wellness in their off-time.

The top two locations in this index are well-known destinations for those looking to improve their yoga practice. Bali and Phuket have built their brands on yoga retreats and helping people get back in touch with themselves and with nature. Each location has a high number of yoga studios where classes can be taken for relatively low costs. They also have low cost yoga essentials and high quality of life scores.

Three European locations round out the top five and each has a strong showing for the number of yoga studios, low class costs, high quality of life, and accessible yoga essentials. They also have a low cost of living and very high air quality. In fact, there have been several examples of buyers in the Cost del Sol purchasing country estates and converting them into cycling centres, yoga retreats, and other wellness spaces. The locations in Europe are also much more easily accessible for yogis in the region who might not want to fly to the top locations in Bali or Phuket.

Each location in the index has ample scope for growth, adding more places for yoga practice in new and converted spaces and creating additional wellness infrastructure. As more people begin to practice yoga, they will require class space, kit to attend classes, and will likely be looking for the most relaxing environments in which to practice. And for an industry that is 70% female, there is ample opportunity for growth as more men begin to take up the practice in larger numbers, further increasing the demand for studio space, equipment, and the yogi lifestyle.