Perceptions of men doing yoga should change
When I first started teaching in 2016 my first 3 students were men, and they found it deeply beneficial, helping them to relax. It made me think about how yoga could be more accessible to men.
What are the effects of male stereotyping?
We live in a society where stereotyping has become the norm, it shouldn’t be, discrimination is not welcome in this space. Men are known to be more likely emotionally closed off, with stereotyped behaviours like dominance, physical strength, and emotional restraint, however, this does not have to be true.
A new norm could be developed, where yoga is accessible for men. Being vulnerable may be extremely difficult for some because of previous traumatic experiences, we understand that and are here to help soothe, not judge.
Stereotyping may steer men away from yoga as they could feel exposed to their emotions, changing this can influence more people to gain an emotional release and better outlook on life as a whole.
There is enough evidence proving the efficacy of yoga to reduce and treat mental health.
We are all deserving of clarity and peace. Try something new, you have nothing to loose
Is yoga only feminine?
Factually- The answer to this question is a simple no!
Yes, according to the Minded Institute, yoga practitioners who answered the survey, there was 20.4 million people that practise yoga in the USA. 82.2 % were women so only 17.8% were men. But this can and should change.
Historically Yoga was only practised and taught by and to men.
But yoga therapy is an integrated approach to improved health and wellbeing for everyone and all bodies!
Currently, men have preferences for other more forms of intense exercise and gender-related pressures that are preventing them from participating. However, it should be known that you can also become sweaty and fatigued from doing small static movements in yoga, while also strengthening and becoming more agile.
“Don’t use a lot, where little will do.”
Yoga Therapy is about educating people to use the body as an entry point to reshape their mindscape. There are many misconceptions about yoga, don't get stuck in your head about it! Try it yourself and form your own ideas from your direct experience .
Remember our body needs healing as well as strengthening!
Mental health does not care about genders
Daily routines can be mentally draining, and you may never feel relaxed and calm, yoga can help with this.
Mental or physical illnesses don’t take into consideration your gender, if you go to the gym for your body, eat well for your gut health, what are you doing for your mind?
It may be said that women are more likely to be intimate and emotional, but men need healing too. It has been found that men have a lot lower life satisfaction than women.
It has been found that men’s self-esteem is linked to their distinguished personal achievements, and women’s self-esteem is more focused on their important connections with others. Men should make one of their achievements by finding contentment!
Change needs to happen, opening up will make you feel emotionally safer, and show how many people around you care.
Why would yoga help men particularly?
Mortality rates of heart disease are much higher in men than women, 1 in 7 men die from heart disease and 1 in 11 women.
Luckily the number for developing and passing from heart disease is declining in recent years and we want to keep this going for men and women.
Yoga therapy reduces stress and helps people cope with their general worries because it gives you a moment to be deep in thought and gain clarity. As well as improving blood flow in the body by relieving chronic stress patterns and therefore reducing the risk of heart disease.
Maintaining regular practice and focusing your attention on every movement means you become aware of overlooked critical muscles that hold tension. For example neck and feet, holding a lot of daily stress, practising mindfulness will reduce imbalance and joint trouble later in life.
Male health researchers have previously acknowledged that men find it difficult to engage in health-promoting activities and lack the acceptance of help.
I guarantee most of your favourite Olympians, basketball players, and footballers incorporate yoga into their routines, as it increases mobility, endurance and breathing techniques aid in relaxation before competitions. During Euro 2020, the English football team including Sterling and Forden participated in hot yoga to cool off before their big matches!
What are ways to start?
I can ensure yoga will bring more calm energy into your life in a supportive way, don’t resist it, everyone needs and wants more significant connections in their lives!
If you are too nervous to try it on your own at first, why not try it as a couple with your significant partner or a close friend, where you know there is no real judgement
Oxytocin is released during mindfulness practices, it floods our bodies with happiness and relief. Yoga is also very personal, so for couples, it can help renew and revive the relationship, as the peaceful energy and healing will bring you closer together.
Letting yourself be in stillness can give you coherence and transparency be present with what is right in front of you.
Would you try male-only classes or classes led by a male teachers?
Everyone’s mental health is important, it cannot be ignored, there are subtle ways to help that don’t include talking.
Challenge yourself to step out of your comfort zone and try something new.
What would make you want to go to Yoga?
Does gender make a difference to the participation of Yoga for you?
Would you prefer male-only classes?
Yoga is an inclusive practice everyone and everyBODY is welcome. I would love your feedback about how yoga can be more accessible for men. You can either put it in the comments section below or email me at hi@jessicahirani.com
I look forward to hearing from you!
References:
· Vulnerability and yoga, The influence of sex stereotypes and gender roles on participation and performance in sport and exercise: Review and future directions (sciencedirectassets.com)
· Mindedinstitute.com, Big UK Yoga Survey Now Live!
· Male preferences, Yoga not a (physical) culture for men? (sciencedirectassets.com)
· Male mental health, Mental Health Foundation
· Male self-esteem, 1992 Markus Josephs Gender and Self Esteem.pdf (stanford.edu)
· Male mortality rates in heart disease, Sex differences in coronary heart disease and stroke mortality: a global assessment of the effect of ageing between 1980 and 2010 (bmj.com)
· Couples doing yoga, Baer, R. A. (Ed.). (2015). Mindfulness-based treatment approaches: Clinician's guide to evidence base and applications. Elsevier.
· Yoga for Heart Health, The Benefits of Yoga Therapy (themindedinstitute.com)
· 10 Major benefits of Yoga for Men, Man Body Spirit
