online yoga forum

I'm new to all this and wondered this pretty basic question which is why are there more girls than guys doing yoga? Hey not that I mind, but wasn't the original yogie, just that, a man? Every class I go to I'm out numbered 10 to 1, it's very weird and kinda cool too.

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Yoga is the practice of quieting the mind - so switch your phone off!

all the real men are pumping in the gym.

Yeh it is odd, I totally agree with you. We have a class locally where a guy is teaching and he seems to attract more men - it's a pretty tough class so maybe that's the reason why. I think generally men think yoga is all about stretching and not 'serious' physical activity...as you say, they get that at the gym.

TOTALLY - men see yoga as a bit of stretching, not serious 'man-style' physical activity...I can't get my partner to go (sigh).

Obviously the men that do go are clearly 'enlightened' male species!!

I, for one love your thinking!

we've got a lot of men in Bikram at my studio.

I think, in general, men aren't as comfortable being alone with there thoughts as much as women are.

also, much of the world still values how much weight a man can pick up, and yoga doesn't really help you pick up heavy things.

Thanks Leaf I couldn't agree more I think you're right Johnny, we aren't as comfortable in our own skin maybe as women, but I think it has more to do with creating muscles which you can do in the gym, where most men think yoga is just about stretching...

Interesting that Bikram has more men, it's obviously seen as a more matcho style of yoga.

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Yoga is the practice of quieting the mind - so switch your phone off!

Surveys show that the average yoga student in OZ seems to be highly educated (degree or better), well-above average salary, and mainly female......

If that's so what do they know that all the men don't don't?

But perhaps it's better men don't find out all the secrets about yoga.....if they knew yoga classes were full of intelligent, successful, flexible, well-balanced, fit, courageous, authentic and open-hearted women, the classes would be packed for all the wrong reasons!

And yet, men are the one's dying early of stress, emotional constipation, and high blood pressure, so we still owe it to them to share the benefits of yoga. It just needs to be presented (or marketed) to appeal directly to them, I think.

Not sure if I'm an enlightened male or not, but this one has always puzzled me.
T/boy

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Qi Yoga

it could be that many men find the idea of "intelligent, successful, flexible, well-balanced, fit, courageous, authentic and open-hearted women" just a little...intimidating? i was going to type 'castrating', but this is a family site.

This is interesting I never thought about it like this before...so are you saying that the guys aren't coming because if they're not naturally flexible or whatever then they'll 'think' they look a little silly infront of a group of hot women?

sounds reasonable!

same reason men don't do aerobics (as in jazzercise) maybe. sure, everyone can use a good cardio work out.... but most men wouldn't want to invade a girl place just to look stupid!

so most men who look for a good cardio workout don't look to aerobics. because they don't see what it has to offer them other than the cardio, and you can get that by running.

ditto for yoga - what's it got to offer? I mean, unless you're just a freak and like stilling your mind enough to make time seem to stand still and you like that energy surge that blows through your brain.