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Yoga
for Men
“Fuse the intelligence of brain and brawn.” - B.K.S. Iyengar
The theory of exercise is clear; all forms of exercise share two features in common:
- first we must stress the tissues
- then we must let the tissues rest.
Stress has many negative connotations in our culture because we forget the “rest” part of this equation. But to have no or little stress, in your life is just as damaging as having too much stress. We need to stress the body, and we need to rest it. Too much of anything is not healthy.
Muscles are yang and love to be rhythmically and repetitively moved because they are elastic and can take this type of exercise. Connective tissue like ligaments, tendons and fascia are yin and more plastic, these require gentle but long-held stresses.
Bernie Clarke in his book "YinSights - A Journey into the Philosophy & Practice of Yoga" says: “Many health care professionals shudder at the thought of exercising joints; they have the mistaken view that all exercise is yang exercise. Despite this concern it is possible to exercise ligaments, bones, and joints. In fact, it is necessary.” Yoga is the only exercise that directly addresses both the yin and the yang aspects of our anatomies.
Discover the overall benefits of yoga realised by sports stars such as former Sunderland A.F.C. manager and Manchester United footballer, Roy Keane, boxer Evander Holyfield, former West Ham and England goalkeeper, David James, top tennis professional Andy Murray and Australia's Rugby Union players! It is becoming common for professional sports teams to incorporate yoga as part of their training. Terry Andre does yoga and the Arsenal football team has a yoga teacher on staff. Alex Richardson a yoga teacher from Montreal regularly has football and hockey players from the Concordia Stingers University team attend his course to improve their game both mentally and physically. He has also given Yin Yoga classes during playoff season to help players focus and conserve energy by reducing stress. Website: alexanderrichardson.blogspot.com. Team members from the Montreal Canadians hockey team and Toronto Argonauts (football) also use yoga in their cross training. Ricky Williams who plays for the Miami Dolphins is also a Shivananda Yoga teacher as well a world class player!
“You must keep balance by using the intelligence of the body (whether instinct, feeling or ability) but not my strength.” -B.K.S. Iyengar
Does this apply to you?
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Do you suffer from back pain? |
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Have you any old or recent sports injuries that bother you? |
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Are your shoulders and neck tight and painful? |
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Are you under pressure and neglecting your
health? |
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Do you find you are easily irritated and often tired? |
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Suffering from digestive problems? |
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Are you sleeping well and waking refreshed and rested? |
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Do you have stiff joints and muscles? |
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Is your health less robust than you
would like? |
“The intelligence of the body is a fact. It is real. The intelligence of the brain is only imagination.” - B.K.S. Iyengar
Most exercise programmes only work on the physical body. If you want more than that…
to be more focussed and effective, calmer, more relaxed, more intuitive, to learn to be guided from within – we can help you find your way into your own yoga practice.
Yoga has been practised for over 5,000 years yet continues to gain popularity with everyone from international athletes to world acclaimed actors and musicians. Find a new serenity to keep you centred and help you realise your full potential in every facet of life.
Yoga is a physical whole body work-out that challenges poor posture, strengthens and releases tension throughout the entire body. Over time, this ancient and proven practice brings balance to the body and equilibrium to the mind.
Benefits of Yoga for Men
• Release tension and de-stress from the day job - mentally
& physically!
• Relieve chronic back or knee pain.
• Improve overall fitness.
• Proactively deal with sports/work injuries.
• Build strength and endurance.
• Relieve tight shoulders and stiff neck.
• Stretch and release shortened hamstrings.
• Ease powerful quadriceps to improve mobility.
• Increase mental agility and focus.
• Restore your vital energy.
• Improve your overall life balance and performance.
• Maintain good prostate and testicular health.
“Penetration of the mind is our goal, but in the beginning, to set things in motion, there is no substitute for sweat.” - B.K.S. Iyengar
What men say about the classes
“It’s an all round effective whole body workout!”
“Real men do yoga!”
“Good for strength, posture, breathing, flexibility, relaxing and focusing on the body.”
“Creates a sense of where, who and how I am.”
“Yoga fixed my bad back!”
“Yoga makes me a better golfer!”
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