For men, yoga improves core strength, increases flexibility, reduces pain and enhances athletic performance, reminds Tim Hicks, StudioYOU Yoga instructor in Greenwood.
"Blending yoga practices into your life will enrich it, physically, mentally, spiritually and socially. Yoga communities are some of the tightest-knit you’ll be involved in," he explains.
Tim says 10 million men practice yoga. "Many yoga practitioners prefer a male teacher, because it's rare. It comes down to a difference in how flows are called and sequences are presented. I believe, as a man, showing a calm demeanor, concise direction, authenticity and a sense of humor can really help a male yoga instructor be great in this industry."
He says male yoga teachers bring unique combinations of masculine and feminine energy to the room, offering confident, affirming adjustments and a different dynamic.
"Yoga is cardio, just as effective as running for men looking for great heart workouts, with lower impact on bodies," Tim states. "I’m living proof yoga can provide strength. As a man, you can always incorporate weights into your yoga practice."
He says yoga provides valuable stretch recovery, which is why he started practicing it while lifting weights in the gym.
Among common stigmas men have about yoga, according to Tim, is yoga is just for women. "Men shy away from it, when in fact, men can realize a ton of benefits from the practice."
Two other misconceptions from men, he adds, are that yoga is "just stretching" and "woo-woo horoscope spiritual stuff."
Tim says men hesitate to try yoga because they believe they'll be seen as more “feminine” by their peers, and are intimidated to think about being outnumbered by women in class by 15-1 to 30-1. "Men tend to workout alone or with a friend, and women workout in larger, community groups," Tim concludes.