Full disclosure: What really made me not like yoga was that I thought it was for women. I’m a little embarrassed at my previous closed-mindedness on this issue. What a caveman I was, thinking that this particular choice of fitness was too feminine.Two days after my first class, I felt like I’d been run over by a bullet train. I knew that this was legit and it was going to make me get stronger. I hate lifting at the gym. I despise the thought of a gym, period. What machines to use, how much weight to lift, how many reps, did that dickhead wipe down the bench? In yoga, you lift YOUR weight. It felt like such a natural way to tone up.
Lifting is an attractive option for men (and women) because you can easily isolate the areas you want to work, but there are actually several different types of yoga to help you achieve this same goal. I’ve done Ashtanga, which is fairly close to an aerobic routine, because of the pace. You change your pose with each breath and it’s not for wimps. I’ve done chair yoga, which is essentially doing all these difficult poses and moves with the use of a chair. I should note that it made me feel like Jennifer Beals in Flashdance. Totally masculine! I’ve enjoyed a runner’s yoga class, where muscle stretching and lengthening are the major focus. Then there’s Vinyasa, which could be considered your standard yoga practice. The order of poses varies according to the instructor, and if you’re in a smaller class, the instructor might poll the class to see what everyone wants to focus on (core, lower back, tight hamstrings, what have you), and craft the class based on the responses.
Time to Chill, Bro.
Whatever causes you stress – idiotic clients or co-workers, money woes, your team’s losing streak– your yoga practice will help you.The thing I like most about yoga is the peace of mind I find while I’m doing it. A yoga studio is a quiet, peaceful environment that begs you to slow down, practice some gratitude, and take care of your body and mind. Whatever causes you stress – idiotic clients or co-workers, money woes, your team’s losing streak– your yoga practice will help you stop spending so much time formulating revenge fantasies, and start focusing on the positives in your life. (And trust me – if you have the time and disposable income for yoga, you are doing just fine, my friend.) I’m not saying stress is only a guy thing, but studies have shown that men don’t handle stress as well as women. Men tend to bury their feelings, sometimes by eating them, which leads to the belly fat gain that increases the risk of diabetes. And the toll it takes on your heart may be part of the reason that men die of heart disease almost twice as often as women.
So, as you probably guessed, I’m Yoga Guy now, but in a far less obnoxious way (I hope.) I’m not going to cram yoga down your throat, but the positive changes in my physical and mental health have been staggering. I highly recommend you try it. And sure, just maybe, to try to convince you, I’ll bust out a perfect headstand as my party trick. Like a total asshole.
