Is Yoga Sculpt REAL Yoga? Here’s What The Instructors Have To Say

Following an intense “yoga sculpt” session that featured an overwhelming amount of push-ups—so many that I doubted I could even roll out of bed the next day—I hurried to lunch with a friend, still feeling sweaty despite a quick post-workout shower. I anticipated her asking about my workout, torn between admitting the truth that I had just participated in a yoga class blending weights with bursts of cardio.

We had first crossed paths during our yoga teacher training 15 years ago and have since continued to share insights about both the fundamental and intricate elements of the practice: How do you adapt crescent pose for someone with a knee injury? Does incorporating Sanskrit sufficiently honor the origins of yoga?

In her classes, she often delves into yoga principles and ethics, incorporates 15 minutes of breathwork, and chants mantras in Sanskrit. This stood in stark contrast to the class I had just exited, which was characterized by loud Lady Gaga music, burpees, bicep curls during warrior holds, and deadlifts transitioning into downward-facing dog. Reflecting on everything I had learned during my year of teacher training, along with nearly 20 years of personal practice, I felt as though I was straying from yoga.

“Why is your face so red?” she inquired. “Did you just go for a run?” I hesitated, then admitted, “I did… um… I was at yoga sculpt.” Her expression shifted, filled with disappointment.

“Why would you do that?” she finally asked. “You know that’s not real yoga.”

Is there such a thing as “real” yoga?

Among the phrases that can challenge a yogi, “real yoga” ranks high. It suggests a singular, authentic approach to the practice, implying that anything diverging from this standard is tainted and should be avoided. Particularly over the last decade, distinguishing the “real” path has become increasingly complex due to a myriad of deviations.

“Yoga transcends a physical practice—it is a way of life. Some people feel that incorporating these other elements dilutes the essence,” explains Kate Lombardo, a yoga instructor and co-owner of YogaRenew. “I agree to some extent, but I also believe that if more individuals engaged with yoga’s grounding and peaceful nature, we would all benefit.”

Lombardo emphasizes the importance of honoring yoga’s origins, however, she advocates for flexibility in its definition and acknowledges its evolving nature.

“It’s not detrimental to meet people where they are,” she asserts. “We shouldn’t reduce yoga to mere physical movement, yet we also don’t want individuals to avoid classes because they feel alienated by the spiritual or philosophical components. A balanced approach is needed, one that respects the various lineages while also making the practice accessible.”

The benefits of hybrid yoga

A forthcoming survey by BetterMe reveals that 42 percent of respondents identified new workout formats as a primary factor motivating them to stay physically active.

“Integrating different forms of exercise can enhance the effectiveness of a training regimen,” states Victoria Repa, a certified health coach, Pilates instructor, and founder of BetterMe. “For instance, while yoga is chiefly focused on strength, stability, and flexibility, combining it with elements such as cardio or resistance training can lead to significantly greater physical improvements than those achievable through yoga alone.”

Conducting hybrid classes can introduce yoga movements to novices while allowing experienced yogis the chance to learn proper forms of resistance training and increase their cardiovascular fitness, according to Jessica Feldman, who teaches the yoga-infused Warrior Sculpt classes at Life Time, a fitness and wellness company.

“Our classes incorporate various yoga elements, including breathwork, grounding techniques, sun salutations, and conclude with savasana,” she explains. “We also include weights and jumping jacks. This blend helps to expand participants’ comfort zones; whether they come from a group fitness background or a yoga-exclusive experience, they gain from learning new movement techniques, as well as enhancing balance, coordination, and overall mobility.”

Karen Verechia, a yoga instructor at Hilton Head Health who has incorporated TRX into her yoga sessions, notes that individuals from diverse fitness backgrounds are drawn to hybrid classes as a means of developing physical awareness in new ways. She believes that yoga can significantly amplify the benefits of these classes.

“In yoga, you cultivate a mind-body connection and overall awareness, remaining present and mindful,” she observes. “Integrating that awareness into other fitness environments allows you to embrace the best aspects of yoga while also diversifying your movement repertoire. Yoga has always been about maintaining a ‘beginner’s mind,’ which emphasizes openness and curiosity. Why should hybrid classes be any different?”

Embracing the “not real” approach

During my post-sculpt lunch with my yogi friend, reflecting on her “not real yoga” comment, I recognized the significant shift in my perspective on yoga over the past five years; I’ve come to believe that the practice must evolve in this way.

Certainly, concepts like goat yoga or brewery yoga may come off as somewhat whimsical, and aspects can feel diluted if one abandons Sanskrit, refrains from chanting, and avoids discussing philosophical elements such as the sutras or the other “limbs” of yoga. However, adopting this approach, in my view, opens the door wider to yoga’s potential, inviting a broader audience to explore the practice. Then, they can decide whether or not they wish to delve into deeper aspects—or simply enjoy lifting weights while listening to “Bad Romance.”

With this understanding, perhaps we can each determine our own interpretations of what constitutes “real” yoga, applying those definitions in ways that enrich both ourselves and those around us, rather than using the term to create barriers that may dissuade individuals from engaging with the practice. I often remind my students that their yoga journey is personal—everyone is on their own course, and comparisons can diminish joy. By embracing this broader perspective, we create an invitation for everyone to join and define their own experiences—and in doing so, it all becomes real.