Yoga can seem intimidating if you haven’t tried it before. This is especially true if you’ve been looking at the pretzel-like, jaw-dropping poses that your girlfriend does every morning. Relax; it’s the most basic position that provides the foundation for strength and flexibility every man needs.
There are many styles of yoga, so it is essential to choose the one that suits you best. Power yoga is for those who prefer a faster-paced practice. Bikram (hot yoga) is a great way to burn calories and get a sweat on. Because of its slow pace, Hatha yoga is great for beginners. Vinyasa is a form of yoga that focuses on the mind-breath connection. It also works the body with a lot of stretching. These are just a few yoga variations that can improve flexibility, athletic ability, and mental clarity.
Before we get to the basics, here are some reasons you should do yoga in all variations.
Seven reasons why men should practice yoga
1. Relieve stress
There are many ways we can deal with stress. Terrence Monte, a Pure Yoga managing teacher, said, “going to a crowded gym or punching a bag can make it more aggressive or tiring.” Yoga, however, uses various relaxation techniques to help you feel calmer. Sadie Nardini hosts “Rock Your Yoga” and says that yoga trains your body, lets you see the big picture, and acts with integrity rather than worrying. Get on the mat if you want to be James Bond and Charlie Sheen.
2. Get flexible
Many yoga asanas (physical poses) include one or two spinal twists. This is to loosen the many bones that make up your spine. This will improve your golf game and tennis swing and help with digestion and detox. Yogi Cameron Alborizan is an Ayurvedic healer and yoga guru. He wrote The One Plan. Gentle twists are a good idea to purge toxins and wring out the sponge.
3. Increase your muscle mass
Yoga increases range of motion, access to muscle fibers, and allows for more significant hypertrophy. Hypertrophy refers to the growth of muscle cells by enlarging a muscle.
You can activate the muscle you don’t know exists by adding yoga to your lifting regimen. Take the serratus anterior, also known as “boxer’s muscles,” which is located under the armpit and to the side of the ribs. This muscle is essential for stability in your shoulders and a foundation for developing deltoids or pectorals. Your abs will look more toned if your serratus anterior is visible. You can do this with yoga.
4. Avoid injury during a workout
Yoga classes start with a reminder that your body has its own needs and limitations. Running or playing any other sport will be less likely to cause injury if you can assess your body and scan it as you run. Flexible, well-exercised yoga muscles will help you heal faster after a workout or being strained.
5. Enjoy better sex
Yoga can significantly improve a woman’s bedroom experience. This is due to increased lubrication and stronger orgasms, as well as strengthening of the pelvic floor muscles. Yoga is good for guys because it reduces anxiety, increases body awareness, and builds confidence. It also speeds up the release of hormones that increase arousal, and blood flow to the genital region, which are essential for erections.
6. Calm your mind
Some men find yoga the best way to relax and breathe amid a busy schedule. Yoga can relieve mild clinical depression, even for those who don’t take antidepressants. It was also found that ancient Indian practices can help you sleep longer and better. Hatha yoga for 20 minutes stimulates brain function better than walking on a treadmill or running simultaneously.
7. You’ll smell better
Yoga is primarily about waste elimination. Regular practice is better than cologne for removing waste. Your sweat will be sweeter after class if you exhale and sweat. Your body will be cleaner, more confident, and more focused than when you first walked into the room.