For many men in the world, Yoga is something that is only for girls. To go by a recent survey, out of 20.4 million people who practice yoga, only 18 percent are men. Men feel that yoga is not meant for them, and only women can do yoga. However, that would be a very incorrect approach. If you trace back the history of yoga, its origin around 5,000 years ago, you will find that initially yoga was designed to be practiced by men only. So, what is it that has changed the mindsets of males and yoga has become a kind of female dominated thing?
Men now believe that yoga is a calm workout, and does not suit their personality. It is too soft and slow that is ideal for women. They think that stretching poses and deep breathing patterns involved in yoga is not a real workout.
Majority of men share a mindset that only harsh exercises like the CrossFits, which give them adrenaline rush, are the only workouts that can benefit their body and not yoga that has such a boring, slow tempo. They simply fail to realize the actual intention and purpose of yoga, which is to unite your mind and body for betterment.
Yoga is a workout that not only shapes your body but also shapes your character. It changes your thought process and gives you internal peace that further gives you strength to live life to the fullest. As far as the adrenaline rush men talk about, some postures in yoga are equally tough and effective as some techniques used in CrossFit.
Yoga postures like the warrior and plank poses give you extreme strength and flexibility that none other workout can give. Men can attain flexibility and use it to learn CrossFit techniques.
It is the lack of awareness among men, which makes them think that yoga is only for females. Yoga is for everyone, and it benefits anybody who practices it. Yoga is adept at releasing stress, anxiety, depression, obesity, anemia, and insomnia, which both males and females suffer from.
Yoga is a perfect way to release physical and mental tension, and it helps to remove that stiffness in joints and hamstrings that men get while exercising. Therefore, who says that yoga is only meant for women? All you men who want to have physical and mental fitness can practice yoga.
Summary
There is a dire need for men to educate themselves and understand that Yoga is not a feminine exercise, and not a workout exclusively for females. These are exercises designed to calm and soothe, and are equally important and effective for both sexes.
