Do men do yoga?
Oh man, this is a question we get asked SO often! Do men do yoga? Is it weird for a man to come along to a yoga class? Will I be the only guy in the studio and get strange looks from all the women?
It's time to clear this up once and for all!
Men don't do yoga: true or false?
So False! While there seems to be some stigma around yoga for men in our modern times, the history of yoga says otherwise. It may feel like your local yoga class is dominated by women, but it wasn't always that way: men were the first to create the practice and introduce it to the western world.
Truthfully, modern marketing does seem more geared towards the female yogi, with the current wellness trends and aesthetic of a "yoga lifestyle". However, we like to keep things real here at Vanessa Flow Yoga Studio, and we firmly believe yoga is for everyone.
As a yoga teacher, it's been fantastic recently to see many men try yoga for the first time to improve their overall health, numbers are building & we want to encourage more men to get on the mat.
If you're curious about the other reasons men should do yoga & particularly in a yoga studio, read on and all will be revealed!
Why should men bite the bullet & get in a studio?
So i often hear tales of guys being genuinely interested in starting yoga; so they head to youtube, search "yoga for beginners" & are left feeling discouraged from the get go when they can't even start the practice in the "correct" seated position.
However, practicing yoga in a studio environment offers numerous benefits for men compared to following along with YouTube videos at home. Firstly, the studio provides a dedicated space free from distractions, allowing practitioners to fully immerse themselves in the practice without interruptions from household chores or devices.
Additionally, being surrounded by fellow yogis creates a supportive and motivating atmosphere, encouraging men to push past their limits and explore new poses.
Most importantly, professional, caring & in-person yoga teachers can offer you personalised guidance, hands on adjustments and provide modifications to suit individual needs, which can be lacking in online videos.
So if you've ditched the idea due to a past failed attempt, find a yoga studio & book a class, we promise it will be a completely different experience.
What are the benefits of yoga for men?
Boost strength and flexibility
One of the main reasons men come to our studio to practice yoga tends to be for the physical benefits, i.e. to build strength and increase flexibility.
If you're regularly lifting weights or partaking in other strenuous, high-impact sports, you may well have tight muscles and limited flexibility.
Yoga is a great way to give you a full range of motion and build strength, especially in your core, arms and legs, which is useful for both everyday life and other sports and hobbies, like that golf swing!
Improve your balance and posture
Many of the postures we do in yoga help you improve your balance and posture.
Good balance is useful for men as the ageing process begins, when mobility starts to decline and falls become riskier.
It can also help with general aches and pains and conditions like sciatica, which you may experience more of as you get older.
Yoga can help improve posture and ease posture-related complaints like back pain, which are especially prevalent among office workers and men with sedentary jobs.
Prevent injury and help rehabilitate
Injury prevention is a huge benefit of doing yoga as a man. Whether you're training for a big event or simply trying to stay supple for everyday life, it boosts your flexibility and deepens your awareness of your body, so you can avoid any common injuries.
Plus, if you're recovering from a previous injury or even surgery, research has shown that yoga is often a useful part of your rehabilitation, helping you return to your former glory.
Reduce stress levels and calm your mind
Let's face it, life can be stressful! Work, family, relationships - it all adds up to a melting pot of stress and anxiety in your mind and body.
The good news is, help is at hand! Yoga is one of the best forms of stress relief. It regulates your emotions and can build your resilience, which amounts to a positive impact on your overall wellbeing.
There will always be challenges in life, but a regular date with your yoga mat will ensure you feel more balanced, stable, and able to tackle whatever comes next.
Improve focus and concentration
The mental benefits of yoga for men aren't just linked to wellbeing.
Did you know it can also help to improve focus and concentration, giving you more mental clarity? Great for performing better at work, on the cricket field and helping you to be more present with your loved ones.
Better long-term health
Regular yoga sessions can lower your blood pressure, boost your heart health, and even increase your immune function so you're better equipped to fight off illnesses.
I mean, I'm not declaring that yoga makes you live longer, but it definitely helps!
Less competitive style of sport
Many of the men who come to regular yoga practice at our studio find it a relief that, unlike other forms of exercise, there's no competitive edge to yoga.
It's a nice break from the cycle of constantly smashing PBs and upping distances or weights.
On the mat, it's all about tapping into your own body and mind to feel better from the inside out, rather than nailing the perfect downward-facing dog or holding a tree pose for longer than the person next to you, theres no room for competition or comparison here.
Make new friends
Spoiler: yoga may cause new friendships! Our Clitheroe yoga studio is a friendly and welcoming space where you're likely to get chatting and meet new likeminded pals.
And yes, that does include male friends - we have a growing number of guys coming to class so you’ll be in excellent company.
Ready to give yoga a try?
We'd love to see more guys at our Ribble Valley yoga studio to discover the exceptional benefits of yoga for health and wellbeing.
The best place to start is with a 21-Day Intro Pass, as this gives you unlimited access to try different classes, from a gentle restorative yoga to an energising vinyasa flow, or perhaps use the benefits of a heated room to ease into super tight muscles.
Wear comfortable clothing that allows you to move with ease, and if you don't have your own mat yet, don't worry - you can hire one for £1 a class (free rental during our intro pass) and all other equipment will be provided.
Got a question about yoga for men? Get in touch and ask away. We look forward to seeing you on the mat!
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