Sword Yoga in Chicago: WeaponUp Brings The Zen Den to Fan Expo Chicago

By Sabina
Aug 11, 2026
Join a WeaponUp Sword Yoga Class In Person


If you have been searching for sword yoga near me and coming up short, this is your weekend. WeaponUp Sword Yoga — the original sword yoga — is bringing The WeaponUp Zen Den to Fan Expo Chicago from August 14 to 16, 2026, with free in-person classes running all weekend long.

For most of our community, WeaponUp lives on a screen. Over 300 on-demand classes, a sword shipped to the door, a practice done in a living room at 6 a.m. before the day starts. Fan Expo Chicago is different. This is sword yoga in person — a room full of women, blades raised at the same moment, breathing together.

What is sword yoga?

Sword yoga is the fusion of the kung fu straight sword and vinyasa yoga. It was created by WeaponUp founder and instructor Sabina Storberg, whose path led her to study kung fu with Shaolin monks and to become a certified yoga teacher in India. Fourteen years of practice went into building it.

In a sword yoga class you move through a vinyasa flow with a straight sword in your hands. The blade changes everything: your stance grounds, your shoulders drop, your breath lengthens, and your attention narrows to exactly one thing. It looks beautiful. It feels like power — the grounded, quiet kind.

WeaponUp is now a community of 98% women, many of whom had never done yoga or martial arts before they picked up a sword.

Sword yoga in Chicago: what's happening at Fan Expo

The WeaponUp Zen Den at Fan Expo Chicago is a dedicated space in the convention floor where you can take a full sword yoga class in Chicago — no experience, no equipment, and no cost.

When:

Where: Fan Expo Chicago — look for The WeaponUp Zen Den, and follow the signs from the WeaponUp booth in the Community Zone.

Address: Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N River Rd, Rosemont, IL 60018, USA

Cost: Classes are FREE with your Fan Expo admission.

What to expect in your first in-person sword yoga class

If this is your first time, you are in the majority. Here is exactly how it goes.

  1. Arrive. No experience needed and nothing to bring. Wear something you can move in.
  2. Learn. Our instructors walk you through the fundamentals — stance, grip, breath, and your first movements with the sword.
  3. Flow. A full guided sword yoga sequence, paced for the room. All levels flow together.
  4. Capture. Photos with the sword at the end, because you will want them.

Every class attendee also receives a one-of-a-kind Fan Expo exclusive WeaponUp trading card — a limited series featuring signature WeaponUp poses. Once the weekend is over, they are gone. We are also providing exclusive gift bags for everyone that pre-books their class!

We bring the swords

You do not need to own a sword to practice sword yoga with us in Chicago. WeaponUp brings the swords and the instructors — every participant gets a blade for the duration of class. Just show up.

If you want to keep going after class, WeaponUp swords and memberships are available at the booth all weekend at 20% off, and every WeaponUp sword ships with our on-demand platform so you can continue the practice at home.

Why sword yoga, and why now

Women are so often taught to take up less space — to be softer, smaller, quieter. Sword yoga teaches a different approach to power: one rooted in groundedness, wellness, and the weight of a blade in your hand.

It is also, genuinely, a lot of fun. Members tell us the same thing after their first class — that for one hour they felt like the main character in their own story. That is what we are bringing to Chicago.

Can't make it to Chicago?

If you are searching for sword yoga near me and Chicago is not near you, the practice still is. WeaponUp is primarily an online platform with 300+ on-demand sword yoga classes, and we ship the sword to your door anywhere in the country. Your first flow can happen in your living room this week. And we are HSA/FSA eligible.

And if you are a company, studio, or group interested in hosting an in-person WeaponUp experience, we are expanding our corporate and event offerings — get in touch and we will build the experience around your group.

Find us at Fan Expo Chicago

The WeaponUp Zen Den · Fan Expo Chicago · August 14–16, 2026
Free classes all weekend. All levels. Swords provided.

Grab your sword and see you on the mat.

Reserve your mat at weaponup.as.me/schedule · Follow @theweaponup · #weaponupzenden

FAQs

What is sword yoga?
Sword yoga is the fusion of the kung fu straight sword and vinyasa yoga, created by WeaponUp founder Sabina Storberg. You move through a yoga flow while holding a straight sword, building strength, balance, and confidence.

Where can I try sword yoga in Chicago?
WeaponUp is hosting free in-person sword yoga classes at The WeaponUp Zen Den at Fan Expo Chicago, August 14–16, 2026.

Do I need my own sword?
No. WeaponUp provides a sword for every participant at every in-person class.

Is sword yoga good for beginners?
Yes. Most people at a WeaponUp class have never held a sword before. Classes are guided from the fundamentals and open to all levels.

Can I do sword yoga at home?
Yes. WeaponUp has 300+ on-demand sword yoga classes online and ships swords directly to your door.


More Articles To Enjoy