By A hybrid fitness practice known as sword yoga is gaining traction in New York City and other urban centers, blending traditional yoga with martial arts–inspired movement through the use of lightweight training swords. The emerging trend reflects a broader shift in boutique fitness toward experiential, identity-driven workouts that combine physical conditioning with elements of performance and self-expression.
The practice integrates vinyasa-style flows with influences drawn from tai chi and kung fu, particularly movements associated with the straight sword, or jian. Sessions emphasize controlled breathing, balance, posture, and core engagement, while incorporating sculpting exercises designed to build strength and flexibility. Participants use semi-flexible, non-combat blades designed for safety, with classes typically reporting calorie expenditures between 200 and 500 per session, according to The New York Post.
The concept was formalized by Sabina Storberg, a 34-year-old South Florida–based founder and mother of one, who launched the online platform WeaponUp in May 2024. Storberg, who trained extensively at a Shaolin Kung Fu school in China and holds advanced yoga certifications, transitioned to the venture after working at UNICEF on women’s and children’s health initiatives. She now leads the program full-time, offering virtual classes ranging from 30 to 60 minutes for a monthly subscription of $24.99, alongside equipment sales that include a 1- to 1.5-pound, 27.5-inch tai chi training sword priced at $64.99. While the platform is primarily digital, it also hosts periodic in-person pop-up events in major cities.
Sword yoga is the hot, new fitness trend turning NYC women into swashbuckling fighters – with the help of a double-edged blade https://t.co/kI2vMuGRoz pic.twitter.com/DYz18HZOEQ
— New York Post (@nypost) March 23, 2026
Storberg frames the practice as both physical training and a form of personal empowerment, describing sword yoga as a way for participants to feel fierce, confident, and aligned with what she calls “main character energy.” The framing has resonated with a subset of urban participants seeking alternatives to conventional fitness routines.
Among them is Katya Saturday, a 25-year-old New York resident who has practiced for two years and describes the sword as a “tool of self-expression and freedom.” Saturday, who owns a collection of blades including daggers and light sabers, says the practice has provided a structured outlet for managing chronic panic attacks, particularly during periods of personal stress such as the recent death of her grandfather. She began training informally using household items before transitioning to specialized equipment. “When I hold it, I feel like a force of femininity, beauty and strength,” she said. “My confidence gets dangerously high at times because I possess the power of the sword.”
Others cite similar psychological and physical benefits. Shreya Singhvi, a 25-year-old financial analyst based in Hell’s Kitchen, began practicing in January following a difficult period in her personal life. Already active in pursuits such as motorcycling and snowboarding, Singhvi said sword yoga offered a new dimension of engagement, helping her rebuild confidence and physical strength. She now trains twice weekly and points to improvements in both core and upper-body conditioning. “Gender rules aren’t a factor at all. There’s nothing holding me back,” she said. “I’m doing things I never realized I was capable of doing as a woman.”
Mental health professionals note that the added layer of coordination required by sword movement may amplify some of yoga’s established benefits. Staci Sycoff, a therapist and life coach in the New York City area, said the practice’s emphasis on precision and focus can help quiet intrusive thoughts and promote emotional regulation. “Strength isn’t just force,” she said. “It’s balance, clarity and the courage to stand firmly in your own power.”
Culturally, the practice draws on familiar archetypes of female strength—ranging from historical warriors to fictional figures such as Mulan—while adapting those motifs into a contemporary fitness context. In doing so, it situates empowerment not in combat, but in disciplined movement and personal agency, reflecting a broader redefinition of strength among its participants.
