Top Yoga Influencers of 2020

Although it’s been around for thousands of years, yoga is still growing in popularity in 2020. But what’s the big deal? For some observers, yoga sessions seem to simply involve stretching yourself into unusual poses. Regular yoga practitioners know there’s more to it than that, and they’re reaping physical and mental benefits from their hobby.

According to Harvard Health Publishing, yoga can boost your health in numerous ways. It’s an exercise routine that increases your flexibility, strength, balance and cardiovascular health, and it also helps rein in stress and pain levels. Yoga is even a pathway to an improved self-image and mental clarity.

Getting started with yoga isn’t difficult. Although working with an in-person instructor at a studio has its benefits, it’s also possible to try out some yoga practices in your own home. But you’ll still need some professional guidance to get the most out of your session and avoid injury. The influencers listed below can offer some advice, or at least inspire you to get out to a local studio.

Sjana Elise Earp

Sjana Elise Earp turned to yoga to help her overcome tough times. But now this Australian influencer is a well-known and trusted voice on the subject. Her Instagram account, @sjanaelise, has more than 1.6M followers. Her photo collection contains colorful, inspiring shots of her in various yoga poses in tropical paradises. Instagram isn’t the only place to find Earp; she has 165K followers on Facebook and 16K followers on Twitter.

For more informative video content, take a look at Earp’s YouTube channel, which has more than 110K subscribers. Some of her most popular instructional videos include “45 Min Intermediate Yoga Flow” and “10 Min Bed Yoga for Beginners.” Yoga isn’t the only thing of Earp’s mind though. She also uses the account to share travel guides and personal vlogs.

Faith Hunter

Like Earp, Faith Hunter relied on yoga to help her cope with stressful times — more specifically the passing of her older sibling. Today, a worldwide audience recognizes her as a yoga and meditation instructor. She’s involved in international workshops and retreats and has appeared in publications like Yoga Journal, Essence and Women’s Health.

Hunter’s Instagram account, @spirituallyfly, has more than 42.8K followers. You can also find her on Twitter, where she goes by @faithhunteryoga, as well as on Facebook. Although she’s not as active on the video-sharing platform, Hunter has a YouTube channel called Faith Hunter. The channel hosts a collection of meditation and yoga lessons and advice on mental wellness practices.

Patrick Beach

Patrick Beach is a Seattle-based yoga instructor. He specializes in Awakening Yoga. The style has roots in hatha vinyasa yoga, and it focuses on creative, modern movement patterns. Beach is also an instructor and co-owner of a studio called Commune Yoga and Wellness.

You can find some examples of Beach’s yoga moves on a YouTube channel called Patrick and Carling, which he shares with his partner. They also share a Facebook account, @patrickandcarling, with 104K followers.

On Instagram, Beach’s personal account, @patrickbeach, has more than 480K followers. Follow the account to get information on Beach’s upcoming workshops and keep up with all the positive developments in his personal life.

Carson Calhoun

You might picture yoga instructors as calm and poised. But there’s always room to inject a little humor into the practice. Carson Calhoun is a yoga instructor who also goes by the nickname, “the Handstand-Up Comedian.” Although he’s serious about his yoga sessions, he approaches the activity with a playful attitude.

Back in 2010, Calhoun’s mother encouraged him to get into yoga. Now, he’s a popular instructor online and offline. His Instagram account, @carsonclaycalhoun, has more than 124K followers. Browse through his collection photos to find silly and often impressive images of Calhoun in yoga poses. More often than not, he’s upside-down.

Derrick “DJ” Townsel

Some people might connect the name Derrick Townsel’s name with football, rather than yoga. This former NFL athlete journeyed from the field to the studio. He initially started practicing yoga as a form of physical therapy. However, his sessions brought him a sense of peace and clarity that changed his lifestyle.

After his uncle passed away, Townsel felt inspired to work as an educator and help others benefit from mindfulness and yoga. Now an international yoga instructor, Townsel uses his Instagram account, @dade2shelby, to show off his moves and share information about upcoming retreats. He has more than 98.7K followers on the image-sharing platform. He also offers content on Facebook, where he has more than 6K followers.

Yoga influencers aren’t just great resources for novice practitioners; they can also lend their talents to anyone who is building a fitness brand in 2020. For example, if you’re opening up a local yoga studio, find an influencer who can represent your business well on social media. An influencer’s ability to produce viral content and draw a crowd is invaluable to a budding business.