Yoga: The Male Perspective

Sep 18th, 2008 | By The Conscious Snob Community | Category: Sustainable Living

Rating 3.00 out of 5

male-yoga4 Yoga: The Male Perspective

Yoga has been touted as one of the best forms of physical activity for anyone at any age. Generally, though, it is a practice performed by women. As one of the male writers of The Conscious Snob, I decided to pick it up. Here is my perspective.

For the past month, I have been to yoga just about everyday. It started as a way of helping reduce the back pain that I have been dealing with, but it has become much more than that. Before I go any further, let me address the fact that I am a 26-year-old heterosexual male, and no, I don’t go to yoga to stare at girls (although admittedly that does happen sometimes). I go to yoga daily because my everyday life is so full of work and activities that it is often hard to find any time for me to relax (and no, TV time doesn’t really count). The busier I am, the more I need the break, as is evidenced by my staying at work until 10 PM, and then catching the 10:45 PM class.

As a male I also face the social pressure that we should just grin and bear it; that any exercise we do should focus on getting stronger and bigger. The gym isn’t exactly a mental respite from the social pressures of the everyday world, in fact, it’s quite the opposite, focusing almost exclusively on the exterior. Yoga, depending on where you practice is very much a self-exploration exercise, and at the same time can be incredibly physically challenging. I believe that because of yoga I am in the best physical and mental shape that I have ever been. I encourage everyone to try it. Don’t be afraid, don’t mind other people, only mind yourself; hopefully, you will find as much fulfillment as I have. And no, it doesn’t have to be expensive, find your local donations-based studio and pay what you can afford.

Until next time, keep living the sustainable life.

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This article was contributed by Andrew Matsumoto. Andrew resides in Los Angeles and has a keen interest in green architecture and sustainability.