Yoga Benefits for MEN.

I always get the most questions about yoga from men. Although a very coed practice, about 77% of all the yoga classes are woman, taught by woman and designed for/towards woman. It’s hard for me to see and believe this as both my mentors who trained and taught me were both male. I got into yoga because of my brother and some of the most amazing yogi’s of the world that I’ve studied and had the pleasure to practice with are and were male.
I believe that it’s a fear of the unknown when it comes to men and yoga. I also believe it’s the influence of the media and what is “socially acceptable” these days that deter more males from practicing yoga. I think that having more information as to why yoga is so beneficial for men in particular will help.

Firstly, men aren’t as flexible as woman. This is natural and has nothing to do with who you are. Men, who practice yoga, recognize it actually requires a lot of upper body strength which woman naturally lack at first. There is a common misconception that you must be flexible BEFORE you start yoga. However, do you already know how to cook before you take cooking lessons? Do you already know how to swim before you take swimming lessons? It’s like anything new, you may know the basics but you go to practice and learn so we’re able to progress. The great thing about a yoga practice is that it’s all about YOU! It’s your OWN practice and YOU have full control over how far you want to take it. Whether you’re focusing on flexibility, meditation and/or strengthening your muscles you’ll leave feeling refreshed and have had an entire body workout for any age and/or size as well.

So let’s dive right into the benefits of yoga for men.

Athletics & Strength:

Practicing yoga and regaining the flexibility within your muscles will aid in faster recovery times. Expand your range of motion which in turn assists with reaching deeper muscle tissue. Practicing actually oxygenates the blood, creating more energy when you finish the exercise as opposed to depleting the body of it so you’re able to have more stamina and exercise for longer. Last but not least you work every system: cardiovascular, skeletal, muscular and endocrine in a complete FULL body workout as opposed to one area of the body at a time and/or day. Yoga also decreases the buildup of lactic acid within your blood that accumulates during your working out, which can relieve muscle stiffness, discomfort and cramps.

Meditation:

Believe it or not, men actually have higher stress levels than women. Yoga can and will improve your mental focus, in part by clearing your mind during the workout helping you focus on you and your body. The meditative aspects of yoga that will allow for stress relief will also help with the discipline of your mind to make it easier to focus on everyday daily tasks. Using yoga to improve your concentration and focus will in turn helped you achieve goals and win in your respective sport and/or activity.

So let’s REALLY grab your attention by combining strength, flexibility and concentration, we move onto the best part…

Sex:

Great sex is an ultimate MIND & BODY experience…SO IS GREAT YOGA! Combining strength, flexibility, increased blood flow, endorphins and last but not least, opening your heart…you get BOTH of these things!! Not only does yoga aid and improve sex, but in some case can actually treat and prevent sexual dysfunctions.
There are specific postures that aid and assist in improving sexuality. Take Eagle Pose for example, this is a posture that sends fresh blood and oxygen straight to the sexual organs. This serves as an assist for men when wanting to vitalize their bedroom prowess by toning and approving the function of their sexual organs. Practicing yoga can also help in delaying ejaculation by teaching you how to draw your energy back inward resulting in a full body/mind orgasm. When I speak on specific energy I’m referring to Kundalini energy. Kundalini is untapped energy (prana) at the base of the spine that can be drawn up through the body awakening each of the seven chakras. Full enlightenment and complete bliss occurs when this energy is released and reaches the Crown Chakra. This involves strengthening and conditioning of the pelvic floor which consists of specific postures in which the pelvic floor is lifted and lowered ensuring swifter moves during intercourse. When doing Triangle or “Trikonasana” (My FAVE pose) it ensures a better cardiovascular activity which aids in more stamina during sexual encounter, while inverted head positioning or “Handstand” against the wall improve blood supply to all part of human body vastly improving the toning up process.

Yoga is a direct link to achieving complete mindfulness-living in the present moment. I’m not sure I know anyone who doesn’t want more of THAT in their lives. Making sure you research different styles of yoga that support your specific requirements. Ask questions and simply just give it a try. Like anything new, it may be hard at first but don’t give up.

If you’re interested in private lessons and live in/around the Toronto, Mississauga or Oakville area PLEASE feel free to contact me. I’d be more than happy to meet with you or some friends to give it a try.
You can reach me by email for questions/inquires at: devonborycheski@gmail.com and/or follow me on twitter @rosepetalcheeks