Men Who Want to Try Yoga, These 10 Poses Are for You
Updated July 01, 2015.
Though it can be hard for anyone to overcome their initial discomfort and start doing yoga, it seems especially difficult for some men. There is one man I know who talks to me about trying yoga every time I see him, but can't quite make himself do it. There are a few factors that make it hard for guys to show up to their first yoga class, despite their underlying feeling that it would be really good for them.
If this sounds familiar to you, one of the best ways to start to feel more comfortable is to practice some postures on your own at home. While I always encourage beginners to go to class as much as possible, there's also a lot to be said for learning a few poses beforehand and starting to feel the benefits of a regular practice.
A Word About Props
Props like blocks and blankets can be really make a big difference in a beginner's yoga practice. Using props helps you get into the correct alignment to help your body stretch in a safe way. If you don't have official props, you can try our prop hacks. Blocks are especially useful. You can use thick books, boxes, overturned trashcans, step stools, children's chairs, whatever you have around the house.
A Word About Breathing
You may be used to measuring your workout in reps, sets, or minutes. Yoga poses are measured in breaths. Ideally, deep full breaths through the nose. If a poses causes you discomfort, think of sending the breath into the area where that sensation is.
Notice if your breath wants to come faster or shallower in certain positions and try lengthen it. If breathing becomes difficult in any posture, come out and rest. For more on yoga breathing, check out how to do ujjayi pranayama.
Warning: Generalizations Ahead!
This is a routine that is tailored for people with tight hips, hamstrings, and shoulders but strong upper bodies. Generally speaking, this describes a lot of men who exercise but don't have yoga experience, but it could just as easily work for a woman with the same body type. Likewise, there are many men who are flexible, either naturally, from yoga, or from some other type of exercise. If this is true of you, look at some of our other yoga workouts.
Though it can be hard for anyone to overcome their initial discomfort and start doing yoga, it seems especially difficult for some men. There is one man I know who talks to me about trying yoga every time I see him, but can't quite make himself do it. There are a few factors that make it hard for guys to show up to their first yoga class, despite their underlying feeling that it would be really good for them.
If this sounds familiar to you, one of the best ways to start to feel more comfortable is to practice some postures on your own at home. While I always encourage beginners to go to class as much as possible, there's also a lot to be said for learning a few poses beforehand and starting to feel the benefits of a regular practice.
A Word About Props
Props like blocks and blankets can be really make a big difference in a beginner's yoga practice. Using props helps you get into the correct alignment to help your body stretch in a safe way. If you don't have official props, you can try our prop hacks. Blocks are especially useful. You can use thick books, boxes, overturned trashcans, step stools, children's chairs, whatever you have around the house.
A Word About Breathing
You may be used to measuring your workout in reps, sets, or minutes. Yoga poses are measured in breaths. Ideally, deep full breaths through the nose. If a poses causes you discomfort, think of sending the breath into the area where that sensation is.
Notice if your breath wants to come faster or shallower in certain positions and try lengthen it. If breathing becomes difficult in any posture, come out and rest. For more on yoga breathing, check out how to do ujjayi pranayama.
Warning: Generalizations Ahead!
This is a routine that is tailored for people with tight hips, hamstrings, and shoulders but strong upper bodies. Generally speaking, this describes a lot of men who exercise but don't have yoga experience, but it could just as easily work for a woman with the same body type. Likewise, there are many men who are flexible, either naturally, from yoga, or from some other type of exercise. If this is true of you, look at some of our other yoga workouts.
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