Unless you’ve been living in a cave lately (a rent-free cave) you probably know we’re in a recession. And unless you’ve been living in that cave AND on an incredibly long media fast, you know that people are cutting back on their expenses. It seems like I hear some economist tells me how to more effectively hoard my money every five seconds. However, the same economists seem to be stumped about why we yogis keep spending our money on pricey yoga classes and (gasp!) pricier yoga mats. It’s as if they’re saying, I know these yogis say yoga keeps them calm through the chaos, but what is the real, economic reason?”

A recent Time article cites polls, yoga studios, and yoga teachers to come to this sweeping conclusion:

“Yogis are yuppies. And if there’s one thing yuppies do, it’s copycat their brethren. So as more stressed-out young professionals flood the yoga studios and see other people with comfy Manduka mats supporting their glutes, they’re bound to buy the pricey products too. Look at me: I’ve got a Manduka; I’m totally into yoga.”