Are Yoga Poses Copyrighted? Let's Find Out! (+ Defining What Yoga Is)

Yoga is more than just a physical exercise; it's a holistic practice that blends movement, breath, and mindfulness.

With its growing popularity, many practitioners and instructors have started to explore the boundaries of creativity within yoga, leading to an interesting question: can yoga poses be copyrighted?

In this article, we'll explore what constitutes yoga, define yoga asanas, and explore whether individual poses can be protected under copyright law. 

Finally, we'll guide you through protecting your unique creations, helping you navigate the intersection of creativity and legal rights in the world of yoga.

What constitutes yoga?

Yoga is an ancient practice originating from India. It encompasses a wide range of spiritual, physical, and mental disciplines taught by yoga teachers.

It's traditionally understood as a means of uniting the body, mind, and spirit, aiming to achieve harmony and balance within oneself and with the surrounding world.

The practice of yoga includes not just physical postures (asanas), but also:

• Breath control (pranayama) and breathing exercises,
• Meditation,
• Ethical guidelines,
• And sometimes even dietary recommendations.

It's a holistic approach that goes beyond mere exercise, promoting overall well-being, inner peace, and personal growth. 

While modern interpretations often emphasize the physical aspects, traditional yoga is a comprehensive system aimed at fostering a deeper connection with oneself.

Defining yoga asanas

Yoga asanas, or poses, are the physical postures practiced in yoga that are designed to improve:

• Flexibility,
• Strength,
• And balance.

Each yoga asana has a specific form and purpose. It's often named after animals, nature, or the human experience, reflecting its intended effects on the body and mind.

Asanas range from simple, restorative poses like Child's Pose (Balasana) to more advanced and challenging positions like Headstand (Sirsasana).

While the primary goal of asanas is physical health and alignment, they also serve a broader purpose of preparing the body for deeper meditative practices by cultivating discipline, focus, and awareness.

In essence, yoga asanas are the building blocks of a physical yoga practice, each contributing uniquely to the holistic benefits of yoga.

The copyrightability of yoga poses

The copyrightability of yoga poses is a complex and often debated topic.

Under copyright laws, intellectual property rights are generally afforded to original works of authorship that are fixed in a tangible medium, such as:

• Books,
• Music,
• And art.

However, yoga poses—being physical movements and methods—are considered functional activities, which typically fall outside copyright protection.

The law doesn't extend copyright to ideas, procedures, or systems, including the sequence of movements like yoga poses.

While an individual yoga pose cannot be copyrighted, a specific arrangement or sequence of yoga poses, often seen in choreographed routines or yoga flows, may qualify for copyright protection if it demonstrates sufficient creativity and originality.

Additionally, instructional materials, such as written descriptions, illustrations, or videos of yoga sequences, can be protected by copyright.

Therefore, while the poses themselves aren't protectable, the creative expression of teaching or presenting them may be eligible for copyright.

This distinction is vital for those in the yoga community who wish to protect their unique contributions.

Trademarking where copyright might fail

Bikram Choudhury attempted to copyright his sequence of 26 yoga poses and two breathing exercises, aiming to control how others used his specific arrangement. 

However, this attempt was unsuccessful because the court ruled that yoga poses are functional movements and not creative works eligible for copyright protection.

In contrast, Choudhury successfully trademarked the name "Bikram Yoga," which allowed him to protect the branding and marketing of his yoga style. 

While he couldn’t copyright the poses, the trademark gave him legal authority over the use of the brand name, demonstrating how trademark law can provide protection where copyright cannot.

Protect your unique creations with Copyrightable

As we've explored, while individual yoga poses may not be eligible for copyright protection due to their functional nature, the creative ways in which they are arranged, taught, or expressed can be protected.

This means that if you've developed a unique yoga sequence, instructional guide, or artistic presentation of yoga, it's essential to understand how copyright can safeguard your creative work.

By leveraging intellectual property protection, you can protect your unique contributions from unauthorized use and establish your reputation as a creator in the yoga community.

At Copyrightable, we help you navigate the complexities of copyright law to ensure your creations are well-protected. Whether it's a distinctive yoga sequence, a beautifully crafted instructional video, or a unique combination of poses, we provide the guidance and tools needed to secure your rights.

Protecting your work allows you to share your passion and innovation confidently, knowing that your unique expressions are legally safeguarded.