After an intense session of “yoga sculpt,” which included a seemingly endless number of push-ups—so many that I questioned my ability to get out of bed the following day—I rushed to meet a friend for lunch. Even after a quick shower post-workout, I was still damp with sweat. I braced for her to inquire about my workout, caught between the urge to confess that I’d just finished a yoga class combining weights with bursts of cardio.
We first met 15 years ago during our yoga teacher training, and since then, we’ve exchanged thoughts on both the fundamental and nuanced aspects of the practice: How should you modify crescent pose for someone with a knee issue? Is it respectful to integrate Sanskrit into yoga practice?
In her classes, she often explores yoga ethics and principles, dedicates 15 minutes to breathwork, and leads mantra chanting in Sanskrit. This sharply contrasted with the class I’d just left, which buzzed with loud Lady Gaga tracks and featured burpees, bicep curls during warrior stances, and deadlifts transitioning into downward-facing dog. Reflecting on my year of teacher training and nearly two decades of personal practice, I felt as if I was drifting away from the essence of yoga.
“Why is your face so red?” she asked. “Did you just go for a run?” I paused before admitting, “I did… um… I was at yoga sculpt.” Her expression shifted to one of disappointment.
“Why would you do that?” she eventually queried. “You know that’s not real yoga.”
Is there such a thing as “real” yoga?
Among the most challenging concepts for a yogi is the notion of “real yoga.” It implies there is a singular, authentic approach to the practice, which suggests that anything straying from this model is inferior and should be avoided. In recent years, pinpointing the “real” path has become increasingly complicated because of numerous variations.
“Yoga is more than just a physical discipline—it’s a way of life. Some people feel that the introduction of other elements diminishes its essence,” says Kate Lombardo, a yoga instructor and co-owner of YogaRenew. “While I share that view to a degree, I also maintain that if more people embraced the grounding and calming aspects of yoga, it would benefit everyone.”
While Lombardo underscores the need to respect the origins of yoga, she also advocates for a flexible interpretation that acknowledges its progressive nature.
“It’s not harmful to meet individuals where they are,” she states. “We should avoid reducing yoga to just physical exercise, but we also don’t want people to forgo classes because they feel disconnected from spiritual or philosophical aspects. A balanced approach is vital—one that honors various traditions while making the practice accessible.”
The advantages of hybrid yoga
A forthcoming study by BetterMe highlights that 42 percent of participants noted new workout formats as a leading factor in their motivation to remain physically active.
“Combining various forms of exercise can make a training routine more effective,” explains Victoria Repa, a certified health coach, Pilates instructor, and founder of BetterMe. “While yoga is primarily about strength, stability, and flexibility, merging it with cardio or resistance training can lead to greater physical advancements than what yoga alone can achieve.”
Hybrid classes can introduce yoga postures to beginners while providing seasoned yogis the opportunity to learn effective resistance training techniques and improve their cardiovascular health, according to Jessica Feldman, who teaches Warrior Sculpt classes at Life Time, a fitness and wellness company.
“Our classes blend numerous yoga elements such as breathwork, grounding exercises, and sun salutations, and they end with savasana,” she describes. “Weights and jumping jacks are also part of the mix. This combination expands participants’ comfort zones; regardless of whether they come from a group fitness background or a solely yoga-focused experience, they benefit by acquiring new movement techniques as well as enhancing their balance, coordination, and overall mobility.”
Karen Verechia, a yoga instructor at Hilton Head Health who incorporates TRX into her yoga classes, notes that hybrid formats attract individuals from diverse fitness backgrounds interested in developing physical awareness. She believes that yoga greatly enhances the benefits of these classes.
“In yoga, you nurture a mind-body connection and overall awareness, staying present and mindful,” she remarks. “Infusing that awareness into other fitness settings enables you to absorb the best elements of yoga while diversifying your movement repertoire. Yoga has always emphasized maintaining a ‘beginner’s mind,’ which fosters openness and curiosity. Why should hybrid classes deviate from this principle?”
Embracing the “not real” approach
During lunch post-sculpt with my yogi friend, reflecting on her “not real yoga” comment, I recognized a significant shift in my views on yoga over the past five years; I’ve come to accept that the practice should evolve this way.
Certainly, ideas like goat yoga or brewery yoga can seem rather eccentric, and elements may feel diluted if one forsakes Sanskrit, avoids chanting, and skips discussions on philosophical topics like the sutras or other limbs of yoga. However, I believe that embracing this approach broadens yoga’s possibilities, inviting a wider audience to explore the practice. They can then decide whether to delve deeper—or simply enjoy their workouts while jamming to “Bad Romance.”
With this perspective in mind, perhaps we can each define our interpretations of what constitutes “real” yoga, applying those definitions in ways that enrich both ourselves and our communities, rather than using the term to build barriers that might discourage engagement with the practice. I often remind my students that their yoga journey is personal—everyone travels their own path, and comparisons can detract from joy. By adopting this more inclusive viewpoint, we can create an invitation for all to participate and define their own experiences—and in doing so, it all can be considered real.
