Yoga BLOG

Men, Women, and Yoga. When we think of Asian images of yoga, we primarily notice men in the lotus position. In Western yoga, however, women dominate: They attend adult education courses and private yoga studios or book yoga classes at the fitness center. Official figures vary between 5 and 20 percent of men per class, yet many women have not seen a single man in their yoga class in all these years. Are there typical yoga men? There are two main clichés: Most men are considered more ambitious than women. When they attend a yoga class, they often want to achieve something: to feel fitter, healthier, more efficient, more flexible, younger, more potent. Perhaps also more balanced and, in their own way, more fulfilled. Some want to be admired and enjoy the looks of the women in the class. So it's no wonder that more and more managers and entrepreneurs are attending yoga classes; perfectionists are even traveling to the Asian countries where yoga originated to learn the most authentic form of yoga. Others are training to become yoga teachers, which means leading a more or less all-female team. And don't men always prefer to lead rather than be led? On the other side is the rather unathletic, slightly overweight man. These men admire women and get along very well with them because they possess a high level of inner femininity—the perfect yin-yang principle, in fact. The women love them and enjoy training with them. Both sides feel comfortable. Did you notice our little wink? Clichés tend to exaggerate. Still, there can be some truth in them. Surely you've had your own experiences. Masculine and Feminine in Yoga In yoga, leading can and should always mean leading yourself. This can certainly take place under the guidance of an experienced master. Many dedicated female yoga teachers work as such – and yet are often referred to simply by this term, rather than as masters. There are probably still many traditional ways of thinking in our heads. Yoga is thousands of years old and was a purely male domain in Asia. It has only been in the last few decades that it has become so popular in the West. At the same time, the idea has apparently attracted more women here. Think, for example, of the countless female celebrities who offer yoga programs in books, on DVDs, or on TV and online courses. Many men in the Western world therefore associate yoga with femininity and even with sensuality. They value the flexibility and health their partners and friends achieve through the exercises. Some researchers suspect that the meditative component intimidates them, especially if they have never engaged with it before. They reject the exercises for themselves, both because of the movements and the other content. In Asian tradition, on the other hand, physical control and fitness are harmonized with the spiritual. To be successful, the (male element) fire, which is associated with Shiva, is necessary. This requires discipline and a rigorous exercise program. But yoga cannot exist without the feminine, radiant element (Shakti), for both are hidden within every human being. The yin-yang symbol symbolizes this eternal undulation of both elements. Anyone wishing to practice yoga should determine whether their yoga teacher has this awareness of yin and yang. Teachers and classes should be chosen carefully. A good indicator is the training path of the instructor (both male and female). Yoga is unisex The gentlemen in question are on the wrong track with their above-mentioned assessment. It would be nice if women and men trained together in a balanced mix. Everyone benefits from this togetherness and, in turn, can inspire others. Furthermore, each practitioner works within their physical and mental limits, and yoga, in particular, isn't a competition. So just give it a try! Image © orangeline