7 Reasons Why Men Should Do Yoga

Caroline Layzell
7 Reasons Why Men Should Do Yoga

There are so many fabulous benefits in maintaining a consistent yoga practice. The science shows that yoga relieves stress, enhances mental focus, improvements in mood and posture, and increased flexibility amongst a zillion other things!

The life changing advantages of yoga seem obvious, yet there remains only one question: where are all the men?

Yes, the obvious is true: most yoga classes are attended by a majority of fit, flexible yogis and yoginis in tight clothes. But, contrary to what you might think, it’s not just a sport for sexy peeps. There are a lot of reasons why you should be joining in besides simply checking out the talent.

Misinterpretations of Yoga

Yoga may have connotations of being a gentle and feminine workout, of being dainty, or bendy and stretchy, and not a ‘real workout.’ You don’t break a sweat or get that same adrenaline rush as from a game of football, or a fast and furious run for example.

Yoga can be anything that you want it to be. There are so many styles of yoga out there - it can be hot and sweaty, restorative, adrenalin-fuelled and heart pumping, calm and gentle, or strength and conditioning-based to name but a few! I challenge any man to take a yoga class. Trust me when I say it is not as easy as you may think!

So, what exactly are the benefits?

Here is a sprinkling of the wonderful effects of yoga for all who come to their mat:

1. Yoga Works The Entire Body

Yoga will help you gain strength in muscles that you never even knew you had! Yoga requires you to use the complete strength of your body in each and every pose, which in turn helps you to develop and tone all of the muscles in the body as you engage them throughout your sequence.

It builds power and heat while moving through a series of poses. You will discover strength in warrior and planks; find challenge with inversions, funky arm balances and other mind and body-twisting poses. Physically, it also helps you find balance. Not to mention how hot you will look as your body starts to chisel itself to perfection with those new, hard to reach muscles taking shape.

2. Increased Energy And Focus

Yoga restores and increases your energy levels. Ever noticed how alert and energized yogis/yoginis are when they leave the yoga studio? Yoga boosts your system to release energy, and all of those happy endorphins.

All of that renewed energy and focus and mindfulness could be channeled between the sheets with your loved ones.

3. Increased Flexibility

High-intensity workouts and gym sessions can cause a lot of lactic acid build up in your muscles. Yoga is hugely beneficial in working out this stiffness, by stretching and releasing tension which helps to flush out lactic acid—allowing you to return to your chosen sport sooner than before.

You’ll even be able to touch your toes! Improved flexibility is a bonus for just about every sport (wink wink). Just think about how acrobatic your sex life could become as a result of yoga!

4. Yoga Helps To Removes Stress From Your World!

In the midst of a jam-packed schedule, committing to the relaxed space of a yoga class might be the only way for some guys to slow down and breathe right. A lot of men tend to hold their stress in, not necessarily dealing with it in a healthy way. They find themselves lacking in focus at crucial times, following bad eating habits, and losing sleep. Even worse, taking it out on their nearest and dearest.

Yoga provides a sense of clarity and balance within the mind. You will train your mind to slow down, which in turn allows you to master the art of letting go of all that’s come before your practice, and all that comes after. This gives you the opportunity to focus on being more mindful and present.

(FYI - I seem to remember mentioning recently in an article that mindfulness = mind blowing sex. Something to think about, guys.)

5. Yoga Can Increase Your Libido!

Not only will you find yourself more flexible and relaxed, you will also notice an increase in your libido. On a purely physical level, so many of the fabulous yoga poses we practice daily actually increase the blood flow to the groin. And where the blood flows, the energy follows—helping you to revitalize your sexual prowess!

You can use the pranayama (breathing) techniques to strengthen your concentration skills, which will help to focus your mind and better channel your sexual energy, helping to prevent premature ejaculation and increase sexual endurance. All of these will make you a far more sensitive and responsive lover.

6. Share The Experience

If your partner is a yogi/yogini, then you must know how many brownie points you would get for showing an interest in something that rocks their world. Simple.

7. There Will Be Hot People

Yep, there will be a lot. And most of them are wearing LYCRA. Chances are that they will also be healthy, switched on, in tune with themselves, smart, fun-loving, open-minded and genuine people with a heap of passionate stories to share.

BUT! Stay focused. Concentrate your mind on your practice, because focusing on anything or anyone else is only going to end in disaster.

Yoga provides you with a constant challenge to be a better version of yourself each day. It helps you to find comfort and a sense of ease in some of the most uncomfortable positions on and off your mat. These lessons go far beyond the yoga mat and extend readily into your personal lives and relationships.