The United States Yoga Federation - usayoga.org
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The United States
Yoga Federation
usayoga.org
ORGANIZATION
PROFILE
Yoga Asana competitions originated in India hundreds
of years ago and are still being conducted there today.
USA Yoga brings the spirit of healthy competition to
the United States, where, according to the most recent
study by Yoga Journal and Yoga Alliance, more than
36 million people practice yoga in the US today. USA
Yoga believes that the sport of Yoga Asana will inspire
current practitioners to improve their practices, and
encourage newcomers to take up the practice of yoga
and the sport of Yoga Asana.
USA Yoga is developing educational programs, rules,
and regulations so that the necessary competitive skills
can be understood and mastered by athletes, coaches,
and judges. Successful athletes train to achieve mastery
of balance, strength, flexibility, and concentration.
USA Yoga organizes a three level competition process
each year beginning with a qualifier round via video
submission, followed by four invitational Regionals
held across the United States, and culminating in an
annual National Championship. These competitions are
open to competitors of any yoga school or style, and
all are encouraged to participate. To borrow an ancient
phrase, ‘the paths are many, the sport is one.’
A BRIEF HISTORY
The Beginning
2003: The 1st Regional and International Yoga
Asana Championships take place in LA.
Men and Women compete together. Lesli
Lounsbury (formerly Christiansen) is named
first female US Yoga Asana Champion.
2004: Male and Female Divisions introduced.
Esak Garcia is named International
Champion representing the United States.
2007: Cynthia Wehr and Ky Ha are the first US
Yoga Asana champions to tour the world
together demonstrating and inspiring others.
2008: Introduction of Youth Division in Yoga
Asana Competition.
OUR VISION
& OBJECTIVE
The United States Yoga Federation aspires to be the governing body for the sport of Yoga Asana in the
United States. USA Yoga’s goal is to develop Yoga Asana as a sport, whereby all athletes perform under a
uniform set of rules on a fair playing field. Further, it aims is to provide athletes, coaches, and judges
with the tools and resources necessary to unify the sport, while at the same time, promoting the sport of
Yoga Asana for the betterment of people’s health. USA Yoga is a member of the International Yoga
Sports Federation (IYSF). See iysf.org for more information.
“ Yoga is so beneficial,
especially in today’s world.
We need to make the change.
The change can only come
with you – within your
Spirit, within your beliefs.
”
Growth & Expansion
2008: The United States Yoga Federation is formed by visionary and five-time
winner of the All-India Yoga Championship, Rajashree Choudhury.
2012: 2011–2012 National Championship relocates from LA to NYC, and draws a
record crowd of approx. 1,000 people, with a total audience of approx.
30,000 watching via live streaming.
2013: Once again Nationals are held at the historic Hudson Theatre in New York,
and the “Champion of Champions” demonstration is added.
2014: Added the Senior Division.
2017: Held the National Championship in conjunction with the State Games of America, an Olympic-style, multi-sport event.
A Positive Future
2018: Added a second Youth Division, 7–11, and renamed the Senior Division to Adult 50+.
YOGA ASANA
CHAMPIONSHIPS
USA Yoga believes that the practice of yoga and Yoga Asana is beneficial for the physical and mental health of all
practitioners – children, teens, adults, and seniors. Increased awareness of the sport of Yoga Asana will encourage
existing practitioners to sharpen their skills through training, dedication, and devotion to the sport, and will inspire
new practitioners to begin a practice, which leads to a healthier and happier life.
OUR EVENTS
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
The top two winners from each division advance to the IYSF International Yoga
Championship, which is held bi-annually.
Years in Operation | 2003 – 2018
Venues | Los Angeles, New York, Jackson Hole, Grand Rapids
2017 Attendance | Approx. 500 Spectators
Number of Sponsors | 10
Live Internet Stream viewers | 3000+
Major National Press Pickups | MSNBC, BBC, AP, Reuters, Fox, ABC, CNN
REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
We have four Regional Championships that include over 40 States. The first place
winners from each state and each division advance to Nationals, in addition, the highest
scorers from all states are also invited to Nationals.
Average Total Participants, Annually | 500+
Average Sponsors Per Region | Up to 10; depending on size of regional
Timespan | 6 Months from first regional to last
Finalists | Over 130 athletes compete at Nationals
OUR
ATHLETES
The United States Yoga Federation welcomes practitioners from all yoga lineages and disciplines. Our athletes
span a vast number of backgrounds, ages, ethnicities, and yoga disciplines. They represent almost every single
state in the country and all hold a shared goal of striving towards excellence and precision in the performance
of Yoga Asana. Our athletes range from the naturally sport inclined, to those who have overcome medical
issues and risen beyond expectations to be awarded the title of Yoga Asana Champion.
DEMOGRAPHICS
ADULT DIVISIONS
The Adult Division performs 4 compulsory with a choice of three difficulty
levels for each one, and 2 optional postures.
Age Range | 18+
Gender Breakdown | 65% Female /35% Male
Average Years Practicing | 4.3 Years
Instructors vs. Students | 75% vs. 25%
YOUTH DIVISIONS
Youth Division perform 4 compulsory and 2 optional postures.
Age Range | 7 – 17
Gender Breakdown | 85% Female, 15% Male
Average Years Practicing | 1.3 Years
YEARLONG SPONSORSHIP
PACKAGES
Involving your brand with the United States Yoga Federation’s vision and events is a valuable resource for reaching
new health and wellness oriented customers. USA Yoga does not subscribe to one type of yoga philosophy,
opening its doors to millions of practitioners nationwide, across all forms and disciplines. According to the Yoga
Journal and Yoga Alliance study the demographics of the 36 million + are 72% women, and 28% men. They spend
over 16 million on classes and yoga related products.
Booth Sponsorship | $1000
• Name on digital assets
• Hyperlinked logo on website
• Name in all event email communications
• Social media tag on event posts
• Logo in event slideshow
• Branding on printed collateral
• Sponsor table space
Business Sponsorship | $200
• Name on digital assets
• Hyperlinked logo on website
• Name in all event email communications
• Social media tag on event posts
• Logo in event slideshow
• Tax deductible receipt
• Vip seating at the event
Individual Sponsorship | $100
• Name on digital assets
• Name on website
• Name in all event email communications
• Tax deductible receipt
• Vip seating at the event
INDUSTRY TRENDS
& RESEARCH
USA Yoga competitions generate an audience of yoga practitioners, as well as those with an aspiration to try
yoga. The 2016 Yoga in America Study conducted by Yoga Journal and Yoga Alliance predicts that over 80
million Americans plan to try yoga. The same study shows that practitioners spend over 16 million on classes
and yoga related products, including equipment, clothing, vacations, and media. Partnering with USA Yoga
events is an optimal way for brands to reach a new group with disposable income and strong ethical views.
Our sponsors are representative of the yoga,
health, and wellness universe. They represent
diverse brands that supply vital products and
services to the yoga community – from local
studio and business sponsorships, to apparel,
beauty, food & beverage product promotion.
Rajashree USA Yoga was founded by one of the leading lights of competitive yoga
in the US and worldwide, Rajashree Choudhury, who remains an honorary
board member.
Choudhury Rajashree Choudhury started her yoga training at the urging of her parents
at age four. She was a five-time winner of the All-India Yoga Championship
from 1979 to 1983. Rajashree founded the USA Yoga Federation in 2003. She
also presides over the International Yoga Sports Federation, formed in 2010. She
credits yoga competition to her current yoga path.
Rajashree has accumulated over 15 years experience in the East, and 25 years in
the West, and holds a Certification in Hatha Yoga Therapy for chronic diseases and
disorders. She helped devise a successful Yoga Teacher Training program in the United
States, is involved with a number of charities, regularly conducts worldwide seminars
on yoga and personal development, and teaches her highly acclaimed Pregnancy
Yoga Classes.
The United States Yoga Federation is led by a Board of Directors and by Executive
Director, Ainslie Faust, who supports the organization and runs the day to day
operations.
usayoga.org
UNITED STATES YOGA FEDERATION RESOURCES
5405 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 245 WEBSITE usayoga.org
Los Angeles, CA 90036 EMAIL info@usayoga.org
RULES usayoga.org/rules
PHONE 323-879-6998
FAX 310-579-8651 FACEBOOK facebook.com/usayoga
TWITTER twitter.com/usayoga
INSTAGRAM instagram.com/usayoga
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