Healthy Hollywood: Get Movin’ Monday — Real Men Do Yoga!

Most guys I know are yoga-shy. After all, yoga is considered to be a woman’s domain.

Let’s get real, guys don’t always feel comfortable entering a studio filled with cross-legged females in form-fitting body suits twisting and chanting. Plus, guys never think they’re flexible enough.

Oh boy, are they wrong!

First off, real dudes do yoga. Matthew McConaughey, Chace Crawford, and Sting are all known to hit the mat. Plus, it’s a fab workout, which strengthens, tones, des-stresses, and improves your sex life. Need another reason? Yoga is an amazing place to meet (or ogle) gorgeously toned women. More? New York City studio Yogamaya’s co-owner Stacey Brass and instructor, Jonathan Fitzgordon, came up with five reasons men should add a little “ohm” to their life now.

Reason #1-
Most Men are tight, both physically and emotionally. Yoga works well on both levels. Stretch the body and open the mind to find more ease in your daily life.

Reason #2-
Yoga compliments all exercise. If you are already an athlete yoga will help improve your performance in whatever endeavor you do.

Reason #3-
If you are not an athlete but would like to be one, yoga is the best place to start. Yoga teaches safe ways to use and stretch the body so that you can begin to try more adventurous activities.

Reason #4-
Yoga reduces stress through proper alignment of the muscles and bones. Men tend to allow stress to build up in the physical body and Yoga helps you to lighten up and relax.

Reason #5-
Many Men think that Yoga is all about stretching. Yoga strengthens the body in a different way than weightlifting by integrating core strength and making you stronger from the INSIDE.

Still, shy take your yoga public? Try practicing a few poses at home, and then impress the ladies with your ‘enlightened’ moves. Here are two good poses for men:

1. Gomukasana Shoulder Stretch: This is great for men to open their shoulders, which are usually very tight. You may need a towel to bridge the space between the hands. Stand with your feet hip width apart, arms by your sides. Raise the right arm straight up and bend the elbow so that your palm is facing your shoulder blades. Take the left arm out to the side and then rotate the shoulder forward and bend the elbow so the back of your hand moves against your back. Try to connect the fingers behind you or use a towel and walk hands towards each other. Repeat on the other side.

2. Downward Facing Dog: This is a very well known Yoga pose, and probably one of the most effective. It strengthens and stretches the body all at once. Start on all fours and extend your legs back into a plank position as if you were going to do a set of pushups. From there, lift the hips up and back coming in to the shape of a “V”. Stretch your arms and move your chest towards your thighs. Keep that action and try to straighten your legs as well, moving your thighs back and heels down. Hold for 5 slow breaths and then come back to all fours and rest. Repeat!