Yoga for man

[Anonymous]

I don’t know much about yoga, but I am considering yoga for health benefits. I know some men routinely do yoga. But I still feel uncomfortable doing it surrounded by many women.
Is there any particular yoga type that is good for men? Are there certain yoga studios that are not friendly to men?

[Anonymous]

I think men who behave well (and don't stare at the women or try to pick them up), are welcome in most yoga classes.

[Anonymous]

I have done yoga for years at many different studios and in many different styles. The places I have seen the most men (25-50% of every class) are hot studios. I do not see many men at slower flow studios.

If you are just starting yoga, I highly recommend finding a studio with a beginner seminar so you can learn the proper positions and etiquette of yoga (although PP is absurd - I have never once seen a man - or a woman - act inappropriately at yoga). You can also try the free you tube channel Yoga with Adriene. My husband loves her!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have done yoga for years at many different studios and in many different styles. The places I have seen the most men (25-50% of every class) are hot studios. I do not see many men at slower flow studios.

If you are just starting yoga, I highly recommend finding a studio with a beginner seminar so you can learn the proper positions and etiquette of yoga (although PP is absurd - I have never once seen a man - or a woman - act inappropriately at yoga). You can also try the free you tube channel Yoga with Adriene. My husband loves her!

Male here, I do yoga 3-5 times a week. I started with a class for "all". Instructor was great at slowly transitioning from pose to pose while offering alternative positioning for the most novice and intermediates or just less flexible.

As others of said don't be creepy, I go there do my thing and get out. Most people are nice and will say hi once they see you a few times or chat before class begins. I generally set up on the side close to the back (kind of creating my own space with typically a wall on 2 sides and no one behind me or on one side). You can notice how others are moving to get the concept without staring at someone. That being said you don't have to do it the same way as them, stay within your comfort level. It is definitely a no judgment zone.

One piece of advice that I can give you, especially starting out, is to get your body warmed up well before each class with 10-15 minutes of light cardio and some stretching. You will get a lot more out of it. Try some poses along with stretching each day at home, even if it is just 10-15 minutes. Also to help you feel a little more comfortable watch some youtube videos and try some basic positions while watching how they transition from one pose to another.

Gear wise I have a pair of flip flops that I only wear to and from class, make sure your feet are clean and don't stink. Get a mat that has some lines or logo of something in the middle as reference point to help you stay centered on mat. When you are starting out you may find your self running out of mat space when you transition between poses which will force you to stop the flow and adjust your positioning.

I started to yoga to get my body loosened up enough to where I could start doing other exercises. I was 322, going once every 7-10 days, then after a few months going to once a week as I became more comfortable. Threw in some light cardio and watched what I ate. Got down to 300 and then started lifting twice a week and yoga once a week. Now 253 with considerable muscle definition and a workout schedule of -
15 minutes stretching every morning that involves some yoga poses

Monday morning 60 minute Bikram yoga
Tuesday mid-day 20 minute cardio, 10 minute stretching, 45min of circuit, 3 cycles all with free weights/kettle/trap bar or pushing sled
Wednesday mid-day 10 min stretching 90 min flow yoga
Thursday mid-day similar to Tuesday except sled push gets replaced by a combo of sled pull with belt and battle rope. Most of the exercise switch to body weight really focusing on muscle engagement with single arm and single leg movements and some TRX thrown in
Friday morning 60 minute Bikram
Saturday night is a lot of deep stretching long hold and maybe some electro with TENS.
Sunday full day rest

I will throw in some at home 20-30 minute flow here and there on Tuesday or Thursday to keep muscles from contracting to much post working out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think men who behave well (and don't stare at the women or try to pick them up), are welcome in most yoga classes.

No not true. Most women do not want males in their space and yoga classes(or any of the classes that are most women) are not welcoming to men. About a 1/4 to 1/2 of the class will be actively hostile to a male. It’s part of the mean girl culture.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think men who behave well (and don't stare at the women or try to pick them up), are welcome in most yoga classes.

No not true. Most women do not want males in their space and yoga classes(or any of the classes that are most women) are not welcoming to men. About a 1/4 to 1/2 of the class will be actively hostile to a male. It’s part of the mean girl culture.

Male poster above and have not found this to be the case at all.

Have never once initiated a conversation with any female in any class and 80% of them speak with me pretty regularly.

[Anonymous]

If you're near Arlington, Sun and Moon is very friendly and there are often several men in the classes. It's a Hatha style yoga, great environment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think men who behave well (and don't stare at the women or try to pick them up), are welcome in most yoga classes.

No not true. Most women do not want males in their space and yoga classes(or any of the classes that are most women) are not welcoming to men. About a 1/4 to 1/2 of the class will be actively hostile to a male. It’s part of the mean girl culture.

What on earth? I've been doing yoga since 2000 and have never experienced hostility toward men in a yoga class.

[Anonymous]

Down Dog Yoga. I know a couple men who started here and became totally awesome at yoga. One every became an instructor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think men who behave well (and don't stare at the women or try to pick them up), are welcome in most yoga classes.

No not true. Most women do not want males in their space and yoga classes(or any of the classes that are most women) are not welcoming to men. About a 1/4 to 1/2 of the class will be actively hostile to a male. It’s part of the mean girl culture.

LOL if they’ve been mean and unwelcoming to me, I haven’t even noticed it, so they need to try harder.

But you know what, if I want to look at someone during yoga class, I will do that, I’m not going to keep my eyes constantly averted like an obedient slave.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think men who behave well (and don't stare at the women or try to pick them up), are welcome in most yoga classes.

For the record, I've only had women stare/try to pick me up in yoga... I'm a woman. You should see what goes on during retreats!

[Anonymous]

I feel a little discouraged to try yoga after reading these post. I am a regular busy professional guy who just wants to focus on fitness, not interested in pickup or other women. Maybe I am not quite ready for this. I will probably go back to my regular gym.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I feel a little discouraged to try yoga after reading these post. I am a regular busy professional guy who just wants to focus on fitness, not interested in pickup or other women. Maybe I am not quite ready for this. I will probably go back to my regular gym.

Yoga with Adrienne online.

[Anonymous]

My husband does Yoga with Adrienne online. Sukha Center in Arlington has a lot of male instructors and Budukon yoga that seems more active and focused on mobility.

[Anonymous]

I don't do yoga a lot, but when I do, I do it at home. There are several good yoga for men series on YouTube. I put the classes on the big screen TV and do it in the privacy of my own home.

There are different styles and you'll find an instructor that fits your needs. I like the yogabody guy because I mostly do it to increase my joint flexibility as I age (ungracefully), but there are some for tone, fitness and different purposes.