he ethereal sound of music, the scent of oils delicate movements, gentle teachers isn’t it no surprise that for the past couple of decades yoga studios have been mostly populated by women and men, while males have been more attracted to sports in which they can show off their masculinity through more rigorous physical tests such as those in Crossfit box, endurance-running or the Crossfit.
However, not just are the earliest roots of yoga very much within the male realm However, there are many tangible and effective advantages of yoga for males in the present that can be derived from taking more time on the yoga mat as a new and growing generation of male yoga practitioners is realizing.
Yoga, in fact, can be beneficial for men due to the following convincing reasons.
1. Flexibility & Mobility
It’s a good starting point however, the vigorous movements and stretches that yoga provides assist the body to become much more mobile and flexible, offering a variety of benefits to any else you may like to do.
This is why there’s an ongoing relationship between martial art as well as yoga, and also why everybody from professional footballers to basketball players, Olympic athletes to soldiers on the road are incorporating yoga into their lives.
2. All-over body strength and conditioning
Let’s debunk the first myth The first myth is that Yoga is not always gentle and simple. As with all kinds of exercise, it is possible to choose the intensity and duration that you prefer the level you are at, as well as your mood.
Particular flow patterns such as Vinyasa can strengthen your entire body, and could leave you dripping in sweating and having benefits for days. Keep up a regular routine for just a few days and you’ll be able to see how repetitive exercises increase the length of your muscles and tone your body.
In fact, Yin Yoga, in which people sit in static postures for extended periods of time will make your muscles feel like you’ve finished a vigorous exercise.
3. Focus and full-body awareness
While with certain forms of intense exercise, the technique is to divert your attention from pain and discomfort by thinking of things like Yoga really encourages you to focus your focus on each move, allowing you to gain an increased awareness of each joint and muscle within your body.
Learn to appreciate the way that your amazing machine operates in sync and will begin to realize the importance of taking care of the muscles that are often neglected but vital like the ones in your neck and foot. Thus, reducing the chance of injuries, imbalances discomforts, joint pains and other joint issues as you age.
4. Resolve the years of imbalance in your body and prevent injuries
If, like a lot of men have, you’ve spent a good portion of your childhood playing sports such as rugby, football, or training for weights, the chances are that you’ve stretched or developed certain muscle groups more often than the others which can leave you feeling stiff at certain places.
The hamstrings and hip flexors particular are two areas in which men tend to be particularly stiff.
Similar to the way you work, if the majority of your work time hunched over on your desk, you’re inducing your body to shift to a specific place. Yes, your fingers could be very agile when it is time to type but your spine is likely to feel sluggish and unloved.
Whatever is applicable for you, yoga can be the best way to deal with your imbalances and bringing you back to being human through attention to the entire body and restorative exercises such as inversions.
5. Reduce Stress
There are numerous benefits to yoga for males. It helps relieve tension in the body and mind that is of great benefit to those who have an inclination to keep stress in their heads and anxiety.
Yoga can also help reduce levels of cortisol stress hormone. The excess cortisol levels can hinder thyroid function, reduce muscle mass, raise blood pressure, decrease the immune system, and trigger the inflammatory response.
Additionally yoga has been proven to improve your body’s capacity to deal with stress better, through decreasing heart rate, blood pressure as well as breathing during stressful situations, which typically boost the intensity of these reactions.
6. Improve Digestion
Yoga improves your digestive health too. The more you do it, the more you’ll understand the benefits to your body both on the inside and outside. For instance, a lot of poses, particularly twists, help massage internal organs, and also keep your food flowing nicely.
7. Enhance Brain Function
It’s been established that focus efficiency, productivity, and thinking are all enhanced due to yoga practice. A study published in the Journal of Physical Activity and Health discovered the fact that just 20 minutes Hatha yoga can improve brain functioning more than jogging or walking on a treadmill in the same amount of time.
Yoga is a movement of the body making physical space and activating energy. And, as we sit while in meditation, it is possible to can feel that the energy is slowed down and it is easy to feel the calm. The extra space in our heads leads to better decisions, improved relations with colleagues, and a boost in productivity.
8. Get Better Sleep
A study in 2023 revealed that yogis who were older reported less sleep disturbances, needed less period to fall asleep and scored higher in terms of quality of sleep as compared to those who did not practice yoga.
The concentration on breathing during yoga can help increase the strength the respiratory muscle which will help you avoid sleep-related disorders like snoring and sleep apnea.
9. Enjoy Better Sex
First of all it helps you become stronger and more flexible.
Additionally, it reduces anxiety and boosts self-awareness and confidence.
In addition, on the physical level, it accelerates releases of hormonal substances that increase arousal as well as increase the flow of blood to the genital part which is essential for erections.
The Journal of Sexual Medicine found that people who practiced Yoga for twelve weeks had increased sexual functioning overall, including the scale of satisfaction, desire with sexual activity, performance, the ability to manage their ejaculation and even their orgasm.
10. It’s a feeling that is incredibly good.
If you are a fan of ‘Runner’s high’ or the rush of endorphins after an intense exercise and you’re happy to learn that Yoga triggers the body to experience its natural high, also known as “Post Yoga Glow’ through releases of the vital hormone oxytocin, which is also referred to as the “love hormone”, filling the body with a sense of happiness and wellbeing.
Other advantages of yoga for men could be Oxytocin, which can help relieve anxiety, increased intimacy and a greater desire for social interaction, as well as less blood pressure.
With all the advantages of yoga for men why are you putting off doing it?
Begin to explore the various forms of yoga, and then find the one that best fits your schedule.
YouTube is awash with free videos of classes that you could follow along or just take a look to get an idea. You can try Yoga with Tim and Yoga with Adrienne for a start. You can also refer to the top 10 yoga platforms for men on the internet. .
They’re not as good as the personal attention and growth you’ll experience from working with a teacher in person However, they’re excellent options to get more practice and getting familiar with yourself with.