Today I want to focus on the topic Yoga for men.

My "yoga family" holds a weekly online meeting on various topics. This gives us the chance to stay connected and always learn something new.

Recently the topic "Yoga for men" was covered

We had 4 male yoga teachers as guest speakers who told their stories of how they came to yoga and why they became yoga teachers. 

It was about how we can inspire men for yoga. Because in our western world, yoga is mostly only popular among women and less so among men.... 

But I believe it is simply because we in our western world have a completely different approach to yoga than the yogis in India and Pakistan originally had. Yoga originated there thousands of years ago and was initially practised only and exclusively by men. It was not primarily about physical fitness and flexibility, but about the spiritual idea of becoming one with oneself and with the universe. The asanas served to prepare the body for meditation. That is, to prepare it for a longer period of sitting. Through meditation, the state of oneness was to be achieved.

The benefits of these asanas and their effects were only recognised and carried forward much later.

In the Western world, we have very different social structures and a very different culture. Men and women also have a very different status here, just like spirituality. And we also have a very different anatomy - meaning different bodies that are probably not as flexible by nature.

In my experience, the spiritual and actual idea of yoga has got lost. It's much more about physical fitness and proving something to oneself and others and being modern and cool than about being at peace with oneself. Very few people I know are at peace with themselves. And most of those who "practise" yoga do not practise it in the true sense of the word! They practise it to move a little and to prevent back pain and to be able to say: "I do yoga". They don't even use the expression "I'm practising yoga". But that's what it actually is. One practices yoga. Because yoga is a path that requires daily practice in order to be at one with the self in the end. Yoga is a lifestyle, a philosophy of life and not just the practice of asana.

I, too, did not learn about the actual meaning and holistic nature of yoga until my yoga teacher training. Yoga is not only about physical exercise, there is so much more to it: to reflect on the simple, basic things in life, to be at peace with oneself, to be content with what is and how it is, to breathe and to eat healthily and consciously. 

My Experience as a Yoga Teacher

Funnily enough, I teach only men at the moment and I love it. The clients who come to me are wonderful people. Three of them are friends who work out together and yes, actually want to become more flexible. I also teach a single gentleman in a one-on-one session. 

I work with them in physiotherapy and all my clients are "sent" to me by my physiotherapist. So this is really originally just about becoming more flexible and mobile. Little by little, however, "my men" also learn to appreciate the other, more conscious side of yoga, which I sometimes incorporate and try to introduce to them very gradually and unconsciously. 

I do believe that men in the western world are also open to yoga, as long as they can be "among themselves". Perhaps even men are more accessible than women because they are not concerned with the aesthetic factor, with no "competitive thinking". For me it is clear that men can definitely be enthusiastic about yoga. It's just a question of finding the right balance between spirituality and aesthetics. Above all, the fun factor must not be neglected. I have learned not to take myself and life too seriously and to always approach my tasks and undertakings with humour and heart. This is exactly what I convey in my yoga classes. It is great fun for me and I share this with my clients, who, I believe, enjoy attending my classes very much.

What is your opinion on this topic? You are welcome to leave a comment below!

See you soon!

Best wishes,

Tini