Has Creative License Dialuted the Teachings of Classical Yoga ?
By Avril Bastiansz. Counsellor, Psychotherapist, Yoga and Meditation Teacher
In recent decades, yoga has undergone a vast transformation. From sacred, lineage-based teachings rooted in spiritual discipline to brightly lit studios offering everything from Goat Yoga to Beer Yoga, we’ve witnessed a shift from tradition to trend. And while adaptation can bring accessibility, it also brings an important question to the surface:
At what point does creative license become misrepresentation?
The Rise of “Modern Yoga Styles”
One of the clearest examples of this phenomenon is Yin Yoga—a practice that has gained enormous popularity for its gentle, meditative approach. While undeniably calming and beneficial in certain contexts, Yin Yoga is often mistakenly presented as a traditional yogic practice, despite having no roots in classical yoga.
Yin Yoga was created in the late 20th century, borrowing from Hatha asana forms and combining them with principles from Taoist philosophy and Traditional Chinese Medicine. It was never part of the original teachings found in texts like the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, Hatha Yoga Pradipika, or Bhagavad Gita.
And yet, many students (and teachers) are led to believe it is “ancient,” “Eastern,” or somehow spiritually equivalent to classical yoga. This is where the dilution begins.
Creative License or Cultural Erosion?
Adaptation isn’t inherently wrong. Yoga has always evolved—from oral traditions to written scriptures, from forest sages to modern teachers. But what we’re seeing now is something deeper: a watering down of foundational principles, often under the guise of innovation.
When we blend yoga with fitness, psychology, or other cultural frameworks without clearly acknowledging the distinction, we risk:
Distorting the philosophical roots of yoga as a spiritual path
Erasing the lineage and wisdom of ancient teachers
Feeding the Western obsession with novelty, rather than discipline and depth
As a counsellor and yoga teacher, I see the need for trauma-informed, gentle, and accessible practices. But I also believe we have a responsibility to teach with clarity, honesty, and reverence—not by dressing up modern hybrids as ancient wisdom.
The Role of the Teacher: Integrity Over Innovation
When teachers take excessive creative license—especially without proper study of classical texts or philosophy—it confuses students and undermines yoga’s purpose: self-realization.
Yoga is not simply a tool for stretching or stress relief. It is a holistic spiritual discipline, integrating ethical living (yama/niyama), breath control (pranayama), sensory withdrawal (pratyahara), concentration (dharana), meditation (dhyana), and ultimately, liberation (samadhi).
The more we fragment these teachings or cherry-pick only what’s commercially viable, the further we stray from yoga’s true path.
Moving Forward with Respect
This isn’t a call to reject all modern forms—but to differentiate them. To say honestly:
“This is inspired by yoga, but it is not classical yoga.”
“This is therapeutic, not spiritual.”
“This is Yin Yoga, not a lineage-based yogic system.”
By doing this, we honour both the evolution of modern practice and the depth of ancient wisdom—without conflating the two.
Final Thought and Message for Teachers an Lovers of Classical Yoga
Yoga doesn't need to be reinvented. It needs to be remembered. Yoga is not meant to be changed to suit the individual’s preferences; rather, the individual must be willing to change through the discipline of yoga.
This is a critical distinction, especially in today’s wellness culture where convenience, comfort, and customization are often prioritized over depth, tapas (discipline), and authentic transformation.
When we turn yoga into a feel-good experience rather than a truth-seeking process, we risk reducing a sacred, path of liberation to a tool for temporary wellness.
We can still offer care, trauma-awareness, and accessibility—but we must be truthful about what we are teaching. Not every “yoga-inspired” class is yoga. And that’s okay—as long as we name it clearly and don’t mislead students or ourselves.
Let’s teach and practice with humility, discernment, and devotion—to preserve what is sacred, and to offer what is modern, transparently.