Yoga as Serious Leisure Activity: Socio-Demographic Differences in Mindfulness Levels Among Yoga Retreat Participants

Yoga retreats are an emerging component of international well-being tourism. This form tourism focuses on groups with specific demographic characteristics and interests, highlights natural destinations high value, supports the development personal through such practices as mindfulness. study investigated 203 Greek yoga retreat tourists in relation to their mindfulness levels. The also effect different asana, meditation, philosophy courses formation 'Mindful Attention Awareness' scale (Mantzios, Wilson & Giannou, 2015), consisting 15 items, was used evaluate psychographics were successfully tested. results show statistically significant differences between subgroups participants marital status, financial profile, age, number years practicing meditation philosophy. concludes that is a serious leisure activity work life involvement. findings enrich data regarding Greece establish profile according mindfulness, philosophical practice participation. Tourism providers can give prominence concept dominant theme wellness industry and, consequence, develop improve quality services.
 
 Received: 30 August 2022 / Accepted: 13 October Published: 5 November