Power Yoga Defined

What Is Power Yoga?

Power Yoga is an athletic, Western-style yoga practice that emerged independently in the 1990s through teachers like Bryan Kest, Beryl Bender Birch, and Baron Baptiste. All trained in Ashtanga Yoga, they adapted its intensity for Western audiences who wanted a serious workout without the rigid structure of a fixed sequence.

The result is a flowing, strength-based practice that varies widely from teacher to teacher. There's no single "Power Yoga" sequence—the term describes an approach more than a specific method. Classes are typically fast-paced, physically demanding, and focus on building heat through continuous movement.

Power Yoga deliberately downplays the Sanskrit terminology and spiritual elements of traditional yoga, making it accessible to fitness-oriented practitioners who might be intimidated by Eastern philosophy. Some teachers see this as democratizing yoga; others view it as stripping away essential context.

What to Expect in Class

The Founding Teachers

Power Yoga vs. Related Styles

Benefits of Power Yoga

• Builds significant muscular strength
• Improves cardiovascular fitness
• Burns substantial calories
• Increases flexibility under effort
• Develops mental focus and discipline
• Provides intense stress release
• Accessible to those unfamiliar with yoga philosophy
• Complements athletic training

Common Elements

While classes vary widely, Power Yoga typically includes:

• Sun Salutations — Usually multiple rounds to build heat
• Standing pose sequences — Warriors, triangles, balances—held and repeated
• Core work — Plank variations, boat pose, integrated abdominal work
• Chaturanga repetitions — Many, many Chaturangas
• Arm balances — Crow, side crow, other strength-intensive poses
• Brief cool-down — Often shorter than in traditional styles
• Savasana — Usually, though sometimes abbreviated

Who Power Yoga Is For

Power Yoga tends to attract:

• Athletes — Cross-training for sports, building functional strength
• Fitness enthusiasts — Looking for a serious workout
• Those intimidated by traditional yoga — No Sanskrit, no philosophy required
• Type-A personalities — The intensity matches their energy
• Anyone needing physical stress release — The effort can be cathartic

Who Might Try Something Else

Power Yoga may not be ideal for:

• Complete beginners — The pace leaves little time for instruction
• Those with injuries — The intensity can aggravate problems
• Anyone seeking stillness — The practice is more doing than being
• Those interested in yoga philosophy — It's usually not emphasized
• Pregnant practitioners — Prenatal Yoga is safer

The Criticism and the Response

Power Yoga has faced criticism from traditional practitioners who argue that it strips yoga of its spiritual essence, reducing a 5,000-year-old practice to gym culture. The counterargument: yoga has always evolved, and making it accessible to Western bodies and mindsets brings benefits to people who would never attend a traditional class.

The truth likely includes both perspectives. Power Yoga can be a gateway to deeper practice—many practitioners start with the physical workout and gradually discover the contemplative dimensions. But it can also become pure exercise that never deepens. The outcome depends on the teacher, the student, and what they're seeking.