tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1449952380128375575.post1914972328774031547..comments2024-03-21T00:30:14.738-07:00Comments on Yoga in the Dragon's Den: Men and YogaNobelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00655577410721103577noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1449952380128375575.post-23015314723492954462022-11-29T04:08:23.480-08:002022-11-29T04:08:23.480-08:00Hi,
This is really a nice blog by you. I really ap...Hi,<br />This is really a nice blog by you. I really appreciate your efforts for this blog. Keep it up and keep posting such blogs.<br />It is seen that most of the people hesitate to speak english in public. This is because of a lack of confidence in them. So, if you are also hesitate to speak English then you may take <a href="https://www.sssi.in/online-courses/spoken-english-classes" rel="nofollow">online spoken english classes</a> to improve your English speaking skills. It is not so tough to learn speaking english, you just need to know the grammar rules and you speak English fluently.<br />Online Shiksha | Online Tuition Classes and Education Tipshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08593381299261778509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1449952380128375575.post-1865880852491754672020-02-17T01:16:54.772-08:002020-02-17T01:16:54.772-08:00..howtoveganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03525765453459128106noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1449952380128375575.post-64589811817959454362011-11-22T09:34:10.843-08:002011-11-22T09:34:10.843-08:00Men doing yoga gross me out... Too much of a wuss....Men doing yoga gross me out... Too much of a wuss. I guess if confronted on the dark street, they'll do a yoga pose in hopes attackers leave them alone cause they don't fight wimps--they can't protect their girlfriend either. For christ's talke, take up gymnastics--rings, etc, you'll need both strength and flexibility, not the wussy yoga.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1449952380128375575.post-77279158347107401292011-07-07T13:25:47.905-07:002011-07-07T13:25:47.905-07:00Thanks for your perspective, Nathan. Now I'm w...Thanks for your perspective, Nathan. Now I'm wondering if perhaps guys are generally spiritual in slightly different ways than women? Perhaps they tend to be more interested in spirituality as it relates to certain particular aspects of life rather than others? I'm not sure; I'm just speculating. <br /><br />Interesting, Mike. I like your story about your teacher being a role model. I think that may be a big part of the equation too; perhaps there are not many guys out there who practice yoga and make it a part of their life. As a result, it becomes harder for the average guy to see how yoga can become integrated with all the other aspects of their life. In this respect, the work you are doing as a yoga teacher is very important :-)Nobelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00655577410721103577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1449952380128375575.post-45846353420542129312011-07-07T11:20:09.229-07:002011-07-07T11:20:09.229-07:00Yoga is good for health in case of both women and...Yoga is good for health in case of both women and men.It gives lot of relaxation to our mind.A healthy brain in a healthy body is possible only with yoga.Sennaya Swamyhttp://www.egyptiancode.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1449952380128375575.post-89941940855174390492011-07-07T10:41:57.516-07:002011-07-07T10:41:57.516-07:00Several times now we've offered a weekly "...Several times now we've offered a weekly "Yoga for Men" series (for 6 or 8 weeks), which has been very well received. The athletic club I teach at has a variety of weekly yoga classes that are predominantly attended by women. When we create a male-friendly environment (including a male teacher), though, guys show up. <br /><br />I believe many men are curious to try yoga, but don't know where to start. My observation is that a lot of guys are inflexible, injured, out of shape, suffering neck/back pain, stressed out, or whatever, and are desperate for some relief. Even if they're open to yoga, though, it can be very intimidating to step into a class of flexible, experienced yoginis.<br /><br />In my experience, I was never concerned about being surrounded by women in class. I also learned a ton from female teachers all along the way. However, the one guy teacher I had early in my practice made it "OK" to practice yoga as a guy myself. It's hard to put in words, but having him as a role model was critical to establishing my practice at the beginning. It was little stuff that made for shared experience. We both work full-time, have kids, etc. So not only was I able to relate to him and establish a deeper relationship, but through his example I could see how a yoga practice would fit in with all my other life stuff.<br /><br />Like you, I don't actively recruit men to try yoga. However, I do think there's a need out there and I try my best to address it. :)Mike Repedehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09100232125724775100noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1449952380128375575.post-13987567968068354132011-07-07T10:37:56.384-07:002011-07-07T10:37:56.384-07:00I'd like to disagree a little here. Plenty of ...I'd like to disagree a little here. Plenty of men consider themselves spiritual, or have an interest in spiritual and/or religious practices. So, while talking about that aspect might turn off some guys, it might not turn off others. Perhaps the languaging needs to be different, and yes, too much talk about emotional benefits might not capture the average dude. <br /><br />But I think there's already enough gym rat types focusing solely on the physical aspects of yoga - and yet there's still this gender disparity. In fact, most people, when they hear I'm doing a teacher training, think I'm trying to become an exercise instructor - which is totally not my goal. So, I'm not sure why continuing to strip away the spiritual or even ethical elements of yoga and focusing on the physical will somehow bring more men into the fold. <br /><br />I definitely agree about the Sanskrit issues. It would be helpful for teachers to have easy to understand translations of terms, or be able to show and demonstrate what they are talking about if they use just the Sanskrit.Nathanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13920234350446745482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1449952380128375575.post-27051551663736394142011-07-07T09:05:28.675-07:002011-07-07T09:05:28.675-07:00Interesting, Frank. I think your observation that ...Interesting, Frank. I think your observation that in Ashtanga, "a lot of beginners get turned off because of teachers talking too much about the purported (intangible) benefits of the practice" is very insightful. I remember when I first started going to vinyasa/flow classes, many teachers (who are probably Ashtanga-trained/inspired) would talk a lot about engaging mula bandha without really explaining what it was. For the longest time, my mind would just "switch off" whenever I heard the word "mula bandha" in class. It took me a very long time before I gathered enough discipline and interest to go research what this whole mula bandha business was about. And I suspect that many other people probably have similar experiences with Sanskrit terms that just go over their heads.Nobelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00655577410721103577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1449952380128375575.post-67195079172726989682011-07-07T08:58:02.127-07:002011-07-07T08:58:02.127-07:00Yes, I know what you mean :-) Hmm... now I wish so...Yes, I know what you mean :-) Hmm... now I wish somebody would take pictures of me practicing so I can post them here :-)Nobelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00655577410721103577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1449952380128375575.post-79264045951257679332011-07-07T08:56:59.893-07:002011-07-07T08:56:59.893-07:00I have seen people use approach #1 a lot, and they...I have seen people use approach #1 a lot, and they are pretty much always women. That approach wouldn't get me to practice yoga, and I'm a totally dedicated practitioner! Sorry, but it's just not going to work on guys, unless they are into spiritualism and such--and most guys are not.<br /><br />My sense is that most guys who've tried a (non-Ashtanga) yoga a class have been turned off yoga because a) the class was too Iyengar/gentle, and they thus think that all yoga is gentle or b) the (probably female) teacher used words like "mindful" and "present" and gave instructions referring to "the earth", "breathing into the kidneys/liver", "flowering", and "heart opening". This is all yoga lingo, and it's not beginner-friendly. We need to use more straightforward language with beginners, or we will continue to turn people off from the get-go.<br /><br />As for Ashtanga, I think a lot of beginners get turned off because of teachers talking too much about the purported (intangible) benefits of the practice. For example, teachers talk about cleansing the body of toxins, but this sounds to an outsider like "yoga talk". Toxins are not expelled via the sweat, and most people know this or are skeptical (that is not to say that this is wrong, but that it's too complicated to simplify like this--a topic for another dicussion).<br /><br />Personally, I think we should focus on the intense physical nature of the practice--requiring the development of strength, flexibility, and stamina, whatever your starting point in each area--and the intense concentration that it requires (so, physical, plus maybe some mental benefits). Some people may get emotional benefits as well, but whether, when, and where in the life of your practice they will occur varies wildly. If someone comes looking for that, fine. But we shouldn't trumpet those benefits (nor anything spiritual) to the average male that walks into the shala.Frankhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15994376574048303472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1449952380128375575.post-77520975568636702262011-07-07T08:55:46.313-07:002011-07-07T08:55:46.313-07:00i actually think that men doing yoga look quite ho...i actually think that men doing yoga look quite hot, if you know what i mean ;-)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1449952380128375575.post-70278170440647070552011-07-07T08:51:39.264-07:002011-07-07T08:51:39.264-07:00Thanks Ivana :-) I'm glad this post entertains...Thanks Ivana :-) I'm glad this post entertains you. Yes, part II of the hip-opening series is coming...<br /><br />Yes, yoginicory, I also agree that Ashtanga would be a good fit for guys (especially all the vinyasas). And although I have never practiced in Singers, I do get the sense that it is mostly women who do yoga there.Nobelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00655577410721103577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1449952380128375575.post-35466825575634058722011-07-07T00:23:19.223-07:002011-07-07T00:23:19.223-07:00there are more women here who do yoga too. pity th...there are more women here who do yoga too. pity tho - i think guys would take to ashtanga v well if they gave it a chance - guys are naturally strong and it's a perfect fit!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1449952380128375575.post-75775491890626793052011-07-06T14:58:50.255-07:002011-07-06T14:58:50.255-07:00hehe, that is a funny post, Nobel - i giggled all ...hehe, that is a funny post, Nobel - i giggled all the way through hehe ;-) ivana<br />p.s. i am looking forward to the part II of your hip-opening series. i am sure it will be as good as the first oneAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com