I’m guessing that most of you guys out there think Yoga is for particularly flexible women and no way are you going to even attempt contorting your body into impossible positions. Am I right?
But here’s the thing, change is inevitable and that’s just the case with Yoga and men. In recent times, Yoga has become the new cross-training for men who want to increase their flexibility and improve their muscle conditioning. Why? Well, if you play sport, wouldn’t it be great to be able to bend your body into above mentioned nearly impossible positions?!
Still not convinced? Here are some excellent ways men can benefit from Yoga:
I'm sure this picture more accurately depicts than words how much of a workout Yoga can give a man
1. Yoga works the entire body. Did you know, in sports like football you only utilise approximately 10-15% of the body, whereas Yoga provides a workout which covers every muscle, joint and organ.
2. Yoga has benefits in the bedroom. Guarasana, or the Eagle Pose, is a posture which sends fresh blood and oxygen to the sexual organs, so this is a particularly beneficial exercise for men in revitalising their bedroom prowess!
3. Yoga works for every size. It doesn’t matter how you look when you practise Yoga, it will push your personal boundaries by increasing your flexibility, endurance and muscle strength.
4. Yoga decreases muscle soreness. Yoga is hugely beneficial in working out stiffness from other sports. When muscles are fatigued, it stretches and releases tension. Runners in particular find Yoga the best activity after a long endurance run.
5. Yoga restores energy levels. Rather than depleting all of your energy, Yoga actually increases your vigour, making you feel more aware and revitalised.
6. Yoga trains your focus. By combining mental, physical and emotional strength you can become a better athlete in your chosen sport. Generally, men struggle to let their egos go, but in Yoga you train your mind to shut down and can, therefore, more easily focus it when you need to.
7. Yoga flushes your system. If you’ve been drinking a little too much lately, Yoga is the perfect way to rid yourself of all those pent-up toxins.
So there you have it. Seven fantastic reasons why men should start doing Yoga. And if you’re still not convinced, some famous men have practised Yoga to heighten their sporting performance: Wayne Gretzky, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and John McEnroe to name but a few.
So guys, why not give it a go. To find out more about Yoga at Geelong’s Gym, click here.
