Usually, when you picture a yoga class, the majority of the practitioners are female. You might see one or two men, but that’s fairly unusual. Why?
Well, there are certain stereotypes and perceptions surrounding yoga, preventing it from becoming something that men practice. This shouldn’t be the case at all, since yoga is very good for you in more ways than one, and it’s definitely something that men can do.
Plus, yoga schools were originally founded in India for the purpose of keeping men and boys in shape. So, what steps do you need to get started? Easy. Check My Fit Foods' primer on yoga for men.
The Advantages of Yoga
There are many reasons why you should start up a yoga practice. The series of exercises can help you improve your flexibility, as well as your overall strength. After all, holding those positions for minutes at a time builds up your muscles, especially those in your core. Plus, if your goal is to be a bit more nimble on the field, in the gym, or out on the trail, yoga will help.
On top of the many physical benefits of yoga, there are a number of mental ones. There’s a very meditative feel to the practice, especially once you start focusing on your breathing. Issues like anxiety and stress can vanish quickly in the middle of a session because you’re focusing on your inner self, not everything on your to-do list.
In addition, many yoga instructors (or yogis, if you will) include some New Age spiritual tips in their sessions, giving you something to think about if you truly want to better your life in more ways than one.
Choosing a Type of Yoga
Now that you understand the benefits of yoga, it’s time to go over the various types. Yes, there’s more than one type of yoga, and you might want to experiment and try out a few in order to find one that’s the best fit. Here’s a quick breakdown of your options.
Hatha Yoga
If you want a good place to begin testing out yoga, Hatha is your best option. This type of yoga combines many of the other varieties, making it something of a “catch-all” where you’ll get to experience an entire spectrum of yoga. As any yoga teacher will tell you, Hatha yoga is also very physical, providing you with quite a workout to build strength, increase your range of motion, and get some cardio while you’re at it.
Ashtanga Yoga
Designed more for yoga veterans than complete beginners, an ashtanga yoga program is a series of movements and poses that are done in the same order, such as lunges and core strength-building poses.
Although you’ll find an instructor up front in order to assist you if needed, for the most part, you’re expected to know the yoga poses and the order. You can go through the poses at your own pace, or keep up with the rest of the class, but some knowledge of yoga is needed for this “eight-limb path” (a.k.a. what ashtanga means in Sanskrit.) You’ll have to work your way up to this one.
Kundalini Yoga
Kundalini is usually what most people think of when they hear the word “yoga.” This classic form of practice includes breath exercises, chanting mantras, and flowing from one position to another quite quickly.
As long as you don’t mind the chanting, which can take time to get used to for yoga newbies, you’ll get a very good workout in a kundalini yoga class. It’s a very physical (and mindful) practice. This beginner-friendly form of yoga routine teaches total body awareness while encouraging you to find everything you need within yourself.
Bikram Yoga
Bikram yoga, officially known as “hot yoga” due to some controversies with the style’s founder, Bikram Choudhury, takes place in a hot and humid environment. Rooms are usually set to 105 degrees Fahrenheit (although they can be a bit cooler), with the humidity set at 40%. You’ll get quite a workout doing yoga in this manner, but will definitely need to stay hydrated.
Restorative Yoga
Don’t let the word “restorative” scare you here. This form of yoga is designed to help you receive from a hard workout when your lower back and hamstrings are aching. The poses are simpler and more relaxed, and they flow smoothly from one to another, helping you build full-body strength and increase your overall wellness. If you need some recovery time, but don’t want to sit around, then an online class in restorative yoga is the solution.
Vinyasa Yoga
The keyword for vinyasa yoga is “flow.” This style involves slowly flowing from one pose to another, giving you quite a workout in the process. In addition, the asanas, or poses, are held for anywhere from one minute to several minutes each, helping you strengthen muscles that your standard workout may not affect. Breathing also plays a role in vinyasa yoga, helping you relax and focus on the practice.
Iyengar Yoga
If improving your posture or simply getting rid of back pain is your goal, then try Iyengar yoga. This version of the practice focuses a lot on alignment and posture. The poses are very precise and controlled, as is your breath throughout the session. You’ll end up feeling refreshed and might just be standing up a bit straighter.
What Do You Need To Practice Yoga?
Although each form of in-studio or at-home yoga is different, they all have several things in common, such as some of the poses that you’ll need to do in a session. Other commonalities include the items that you’ll need in order to successfully practice yoga. They include:
- Clothing: While you won’t need to invest in yoga pants just yet (and yes, they do make them for men), you’ll have to wear something loose enough to allow you to move comfortably and hold poses for as long as the instructor says. Since some poses, like downward facing dog, involve placing your head down, it’s important not to have a shirt that will fall over your face. Having to readjust it constantly mid-practice won’t help your zen. Instead, make sure that whatever you wear is the right combination of stay-in-place and loose.
- A Yoga Mat: In order to protect your knees, feet, hands, and more, you’ll need a cushy yoga mat. There are dozens of different styles, colors, thicknesses, and sizes on the market, so take your time and look them over, choosing one that meets your needs. Also, while you might want to select a less expensive one at first, make sure that it has the padding that you need to prevent any additional soreness from setting in during your session.
- Accessories: The accessories that go along with practicing yoga are fairly simple and usually reasonably priced. You may or may not need them, depending on how fit and flexible you are going into your yoga practice. Things like yoga blocks, which are lightweight and have some give, are designed to prevent injury during some poses, as well as make them easier to do for people who aren’t as fit as they’d like. Straps can help with the same issue, assisting you with holding poses for the required period of time.
There are some additional yoga supplies on the market, such as specialty socks with non-slip grippy bottoms, cases and bags to hold your mat and accessories, and more. It’s up to you to decide whether or not you want to invest in them before you discover just how much you love yoga.
Finding a Yoga Instructor
If you Google the words “yoga near me,” odds are, you’ll get quite a few results. There are plenty of yoga studios out there, each with its own clientele, style of yoga, and trained yogis. What does this mean? Well, it can take some time to find the right yoga studio and yoga class for your needs.
Feel free to take advantage of the introductory specials that most studios offer and test them out. Take a few classes at each and then pick the one that you like best. This way, you’re more likely to go back and keep practicing yoga.
Final Thoughts
For men, on top of choosing a healthy lifestyle that includes nutritious meals and regular workouts, taking up yoga is one of the best things that you can do for yourself. You’ll need to spend some time experimenting with the different styles (like power yoga or yin) and practices in order to find a studio that you like, but all of that time spent will be worth it when you find yourself building muscle, experiencing weight loss, and improving your mental health. Yoga is great in more ways than one.
If you have any questions about yoga, eating healthy, or more, please contact us!
Sources:
Yoga for Beginners: A Complete Guide | Men’s Health
Yoga for Men: Why More Guys Should Be Practicing Yoga | Yoga Journal