YOGA FOR MEN

Yoga is not something that is immediately associated with men. Far from it, yoga is often perceived as exclusively ‘female oriented’ - something your girlfriend or mother would do; despite the many benefits available to the male yoga practitioner.

If you walk into any newsagent you will see the shelves stacked with numerous keep-fit and health publications presenting perfect body images in glossy full-colour. Yet it is only in the pages of those magazines aimed at women that you will see any mention of yoga as a means to accomplish the goals they decide for us.

The benefits are numerous and very enticing, even to the most sceptical and coy. Yoga is not a ‘quick-fix’, but with regular practise it does offer improved health, physical fitness, discipline and clarity of mind.

Back pain is a common problem that yoga can be used to alleviate. Injuries to the spine and back muscles are often a result of poor posture, over exertion or compression. Back pain can affect anyone, young or old, it does not discriminate. However the good news is that anyone can perform yoga. A simple set of stretching and twisting postures will lengthen ligaments in the affected area, redistributing strain and reducing compression of the individual vertebrae. In turn, this will reduce pressure on spinal discs, reducing the risk of a disc becoming herniated. An ideal pose for the spine is the Cat posture. Like the name suggests it is performed on all fours, and the spine is arched like a cat. It is incredibly efficient in aligning the spinal column and the pelvis.

During a stressful or physically demanding lifestyle, blood pressure increases, escalating the risk of heart attacks, strokes and other serious conditions. Exercise and deep breathing are simple management methods recommended by doctors, and yoga does just that. Forward bends affect the circulatory system, allowing blood to be pumped more freely. This reduces the pressure on your arteries as the blood flow is reorganised to distribute oxygen around the body more efficiently. Inverted postures and sitting asanas will work on the abdominal muscles and diaphragm, allowing you to breathe more naturally, which also has a calming affect on the mind, contributing to healthy blood pressure.

Yoga can be used to aid the prostate, reducing the risk of prostate problems in later life. . Inflammation and enlargement are the two main forms of non-cancerous but unhealthy prostate. A good posture to help is Siddhasana. It is a classic pose for breathing and meditation, and as it is a cross-legged pose, stimulates correct blood circulation in the pelvic cavity.

Yoga is an excellent support to a weight loss plan. A gentle ‘yin’ practise will help to awaken the muscles, tendons and ligaments leading to increased suppleness and flexibility. A more challenging ‘yang’ practise will help to increase the metabolism and tone the body in a uniform manner, both helping the body to burn more calories. The practise of breath control - Pranayama - will help to stabilise and increase lung capacity so it will be better suited to an aerobic workout or ‘yang’ yoga practice. Meditation will reduce stress and encourage a more positive and focused outlook, helping to ensure a successful outcome.

It does seem that there is quite a lot to be gained from mere poses and stretches, but the real secret of yoga is the breath – Pranayama, the science of breath control. How we breathe has a direct effect on our physical and mental states; rapid and uneven breathing will make us feel hyperactive and apprehensive, while deep, slow and rhythmic breathing will calm our emotions and relax the body. Poor breathing can lead to a variety of negative health issues; fatigue, lack of concentration, poor blood quality, constipation, increased blood pressure and stress levels, impact on the body’s ability to produce white blood cells - the key to our immune system – to name but a few. Men in particular breathe from the chest, which is one of the more common negative breathing patterns. Ideally we should be able to relax our diaphragm and breathe deep into the abdomen and all sides of our lungs. The practise of Pranayama requires discipline and regular practise but the benefits are invaluable.

Another principle of yoga is meditation, which goes hand in hand with Pranayama. Meditation is the process of focusing your mind. Once you have positioned the body and controlled the breathing, the final aspect is to quieten your thoughts. Emptying the mind of trivial, distracting, and stress-full thoughts that permeate our subconscious during everyday life. This will lead to an increased sense of calm, control and mental focus. Matters that before would have seemed impossible or caused us stress, will seem less important and more manageable. This release from anxiety is quite a liberation, and the mental effort put into worry can be channelled into more deserving activities. Professional men, working to maintain an edge in a cutthroat working environment, will appreciate these advantages. Meditation should be practised on an empty stomach, ideally after an asana practice in the morning or evening. However if your lifestyle does not allow for this, anytime will do.

If you’ve decided it’s worth a go, you’ll be glad to know Yoga is relatively inexpensive to take up. The largest commitment yoga requires is our time. A mat and some loose clothing, which you probably already have, are all that is required. You might pay for a yoga class, or your gym may have yoga classes that you may be able to participate in. If you feel that the idea of attending a yoga class does not appeal to you; deterred by the risk of being seen struggling to reach your toes; you can choose to practise in your own home - by yourself, or with a private tutor. It is always advisable to practise with a teacher, or to seek their advice to ensure you are practising correctly and safely.

So to summaries, yoga helps improve health and fitness, for both the mind and body. Yoga can eliminate high blood pressure and back pain, and also helps with loosing weight and maintaining mental clarity. Is it any wonder women have enjoyed yoga for so long?

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