Yoga is now apart of pop culture.  Many celebrates now do yoga and endorse it.  It is very easy to see that yoga has become much more popular.  There are now clothing lines and brands that are formed around yoga.  

Yoga can be seen as a healing practice because it relaxes the mind and body.  Practicing yoga helps bring down high blood pressure and lessens anxiety.  This is communicated by focusing on your breathing instead of things going on in your life at the moment.  After doing yoga I feel much more relaxed and able to do things that need to get done without stressing about finishing them.

I think that yoga does create a sense of community because it allows people to relate to each other.  no matter what level the person may be on it is a supportive community and everyone is working to better themselves.  People don't tend to care to much about your reasoning for practicing everyone is there to do yoga and that's all that matters.

My yoga practice can be considered a ritual because of the way the yoga class is taught.  During the yoga class we do the traditional "ohm" and namaste at that end.  The location in which you practice can also add to the ritual experience.  When you start and you are able to block out everyone else in your surroundings it helps you clear your mind.