FITNESS & BEAUTY · JUNE 2018
YOGA
FOR MEN
Many men find yoga to be an intimidating sport . Seeing women on social media twisting and curving may be attractive to most , but to try it themselves is tantamount to impossible , so they think . Yoga is effective for physical flexibility , and it is definitely not set just for women . Yoga brings forth relaxation and a sense of attention to self with both physical and mental attributes . This means , yoga is for women , children , and yes , men , too .
Men , the ones who are conscious about their overall health , tend to have high standards when it comes to their well-being . Most think , for example , training at the gym is the end all be all . Yet , the concept of body , mind and soul when it comes to overall health , must be thoughtfully acquired in order for the different forms of exercise to be truly effective .
Just as you would when you practice a cardio routine or when you ’ re doing weight-bearing exercises , you must think about your breathing . Breathing is an important component to practicing yoga successfully . The awareness of the breath is what puts yoga into 1st gear . Whether working out in a gym or joining a gal pal for a yoga session , movement with the breath not only keeps the physical movement balanced with the body work , air flow and muscles ; it helps them to work in synchronicity . This leads to the awareness that your muscles are being massaged by your rhythmic breathing practices .
Another added benefit to yoga , no matter your sex , is it forces you to pay attention to inhalations and respirations and relaxes your mind . When your mind is focused on your breathing , you can push yourself each time to stretch a little further .
For beginners , any slight pain you might endure is more bearable when you concentrate on your breathing . Yoga also helps the body to open and awaken muscles that other activities like CrossFit and running might not .
While most men who choose to live a healthy lifestyle see fitness as constant movement , relaxation is essential to an equally balanced life . With yoga , sitting still , paying attention to your thoughts is a way to center your life spiritually , professionally , and socially . This is called meditation . Think of it as mental fitness . In a yoga class , an instructor or yogi will guide you to mental intention settings usually based on love , success , and positive goals to set your life journey , very much akin to the saying ‘ what you think , you become ’. Studies have proven that guided meditations have set the tone for a more productive , happy , and healthy life .
Research the best yoga positions for men . For example , The Warrior Pose physically keeps you balanced and holding firm , while mentally , you feel wholeheartedly that you are strong enough to conquer the battle field on earth . It ’ s a way of grounding you to your life and what matters most . Daily meditations equally keep you highly intuitive to life ’ s obstacles .
The most honorable man in the world , the King of Kings , Emperor Haile Selassie I , was known for devoting himself to longer periods of daily meditation as part of his spiritual practice . During his visible reign , he managed to create a new age economy in Ethiopia and established the African Union , building a global alliance in the efforts of creating world peace among the community . Having accomplished so much within his time is worth looking delving into in-depth for inspiration . You ’ ll find that ultimately his rooted resilience came to his moments of stillness to meditate and reflect .
By Fabienne Claude
38 HEALTHY MAGAZINE