Why are men afraid of yoga?
People who practice yoga are generally happier, feel better throughout their body and are able to pull themselves out of the downward spiral of negative thoughts. Once you experience this for yourself, you want to share it with the people you love. So, why is it so damn hard to convince your guy to come to yoga with you?
It’s no secret that the majority of yoga practitioners here in North America are women. Drop into any yoga class and the number of women will greatly outweigh the number of men in class. Younger guys seem more open and willing to step on the yoga mat, but men over 40, the ones who need it the most, are few.
As men age, it becomes more important than ever before to find an activity they can maintain throughout their lifetime that will benefit the entire system, body, breath and soul, yet we when yoga is suggested, many roll their eyes.
Men, what are you so afraid of?
Here are my top 10 reasons why men are afraid of yoga.
1. Most of your “manly” activities involve time to sit and socialize, analyze the play, maybe slap each others bums (think golf, baseball or football). Yoga practice is about you on your yoga mat and keeping your focus on where to put your foot, your hand, your gaze and your breath. At the beginning, all that may feel way to confusing and way too flowy than anything you have previously done.
2. You are used to muscling and “manning” your way through pain and reps, but yoga is about moving slowly and mindfully and the complete opposite of what you are used to.
3. Yoga asks you to listen to your breath and relax your tight muscles which means you actually may have to admit that you are tighter than you realize
4. Taking your shoes and socks off and sitting on the floor just seems weird
5. Yoga is harder than it looks and its tough to admit that you may not be naturally good at something.
6. Lying on the floor in savansana at the end of class feels like a big waste of time and makes no sense. Stick with it and after a few times doing it, you will come to see its value and may actually like it.
7. It seems too much like dance class, just too weird or not manly enough.
8. You feel self-conscious being one of the few men in the class
9. You’re scared, nervous, inhibited, self-conscious, and don’t want to feel vulnerable.
10. You are embarrassed at how little flexibility you have and would rather not deal with it in front of your partner.
To combat those ideas, here are 10 general reasons men should get on the yoga mat:
1. Relieve stress.
2. Increase flexibility.
3. Build strength in places you didn’t know needed strengthening.
4. Heal and prevent injuries.
5. Share something with your spouse that they love and grow something together.
6. Take yourself out of your comfort zone.
7. Challenge yourself.
8. Calm your mind.
9. Feel better everyday.
10. Have better sex because you are both more connected to the body, breath and soul.
Here are 10 practical reasons why you should get on the yoga mat:
1. Be able to put on your pants one leg at a time without having to sit down.
2. Be able to take care of your own toenails.
3. Continue to be able to shoulder check when driving.
4. Be able to bend down and pick things off of the floor without hurting yourself.
5. Continue doing the activities you love to do without worrying about injury.
6. Be able to lower and raise yourself up and down off the couch or toilet without assistance or without crashing down on the final few inches.
7. Be able to squat down in the garden with your children and grandchildren.
8. Acquire knowledge on how to take care of yourself when you do have an injury.
9. Be able to keep your body strong and flexible until the day you die.
10. Have better sex because you feel better and are able to change position without wrenching your back.
If your partner is already practicing yoga and has asked you to join and come too, then you are one lucky guy! Say yes next time and embrace what your partner is saying to you. ‘I feel good and want you to feel good too.” Having something you can do together that is beneficial for your health is what will keep you both healthy, strengthen your relationship and improve your sex life, At the end of the day, aren’t these things the most important?
Johanna Steinfeld teaches yoga to men and women in Calgary’s wouthwest. www.itsjustyoga.com.