On the other hand, this idea that at least in the U.S. yoga has become diluted into a shallow but widespread phenomenon is not particularly new.

FORBES: The Great Yoga Debate: Has Yoga Sold Its Soul?

To determine the top U.S. cities for yoga, we turned to data from the marketing firm GfK MRI, which conducted surveys in 205 markets last year, asking participants whether they practiced yoga, and if so, how frequently and for how long.

FORBES: The Top 10 Cities For Yoga In The U.S.

Lululemon has grown to 211 stores, including 135 stores in the U.S. and 51 in Canada, as its yoga and other workout clothing has gained popularity with men and women.

NPR: Lululemon: Downward Dog Not Required For Returns

In his new book, The New Geography of Jobs (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2012), Moretti argues that every high-tech job in a metropolitan area in the U.S. translates into five local service jobs--lawyers, cabdrivers, hairdressers, yoga instructors.

FORBES: Magazine Article

It also has 22 "Body and Brain" franchises in the U.S. at which it teaches a technique it calls brain wave vibration, a kind of "yoga for the brain" that uses rhythmic movements to "balance" your mind and reduce stress.

FORBES: On the Docket