May 1, 2020 | Yoga Panchi

November month is dedicated to the good health of men. It’s a great way to introduce the 17 Benefits of Yoga for Men. Movember, as we understand, is for directing our attention toward men’s health issues and for spreading awareness about good health practices for men. Yoga is one such practice which offers a great list of Benefits of Yoga for Men.

Centuries ago when yoga originated, the practice of yoga was predominantly among men. From sages to yoga gurus, benefits of yoga remained popular only between them. Times changed and yoga became a household name but on the flip side, it was still not practiced by everyone. This time women took the lead and yoga began to be known as a beneficial physical exercise and mental practice for women.

Yoga caters to both general and individual needs of men and women. While women and men have many different and common physical and psychological traits, let us focus on how practicing yoga can benefit men.

1. DE-STRESS

If you are having a day filled with emails, meetings and worksheets, it is only human to be stressed and exhausted. While you can’t avoid the work pressure, yoga will help you remove the stress and come back feeling energised. De-stress is one of the main benefits of Yoga for Men as well as women. Practicing poses in yoga brings your attention to your body which helps in connecting with yourself and disconnecting from everything else for that moment. Spending just 15 to 20 minutes on the yoga mat helps in reducing the stress levels.

5 Easy Yoga posses to De-stress

Hastapadasana – Hand to Foot Pose
Vrksasana – Tree pose
Marjariasana – Cat and Cow Pose
Janu Sirsasana – Seated Head to Knee Pose
Gomukhasana – Cow Face Pose

2. INCREASES FOCUS

When you have to deal with many tasks be it at work or personal life, mind runs wild with multiple thoughts and at times leaving you dazed. Yoga helps in having clarity in thoughts and actions. Practicing yoga regulates the blood flow that will result in increased concentration.

5 Easy Yoga posses to Increase Focus

Vrksasana – Tree Pose
Adho Mukha Shvanasana – Downward Dog Pose
Dandayamna Bharmanasana – One Legged Table Pose
Virabhadrasana III – Warrior 3 Pose
Ardha Matsyendrasana – Seated Twist pose

3. SUPPORTS GYM WORKOUT

Most men are fond of gym workouts than yoga, which is also good. What if you are told that yoga just helps in bettering your gym hours than disturb them? Yes, you heard that right. By practicing yoga the body’s blood circulation improves which helps in muscle fibre repair and also enhances the pace of muscle building. Shavasana (corpse pose) is given utmost importance because the muscle growth happens when a body is resting in yoga.

4. INCREASES FLEXIBILITY

Increase in flexibility is another key benefits of Yoga for Men. When you are active at gym, working with weights, involved at outdoor activities like cycling or running the muscles grow in strength. While the body is getting stronger, it is lacking flexibility which can be rectified with yoga. Flexibility in a body is required for avoiding injuries by removing the stiffness in the body. Flexibility also helps in bringing stability in movements by improving body balance.

Photo Credit for standing pose

5. RELAXING THE BODY

Having a routine is important, be it at work, studies or personal stuff. But routine also exhausts the body and mind leading you to boredom or tiredness. It isn’t that what you do in a day is uninteresting but the body gets exhausted due to overwork and lack of rest. Yoga offers rest to the body by making you aware of the muscle movements and by stabilizing the nervous system.

6. CALMS THE MIND

Getting worked up due to excessive responsibilities, work commitments, meeting deadlines, etc. is common. When you are performing a task under the pressure of expectations, you are not at your efficient best. Taking some time out in a day to practice yoga will help you calm the mind. A calm mind helps in better decision making. Yoga relaxes the mind by moving the focus inwards and by regulating the breath.

7. RECOVERY FROM INJURIES

Other great benefits of Yoga for Men are recovering from injuries. A stiff body is more prone to injuries. As much as yoga helps in preventing injuries, it is also beneficial in healing the body from injuries. Even body pains, for example, lower back, upper back or leg pain can be treated with yoga. For bigger injuries, there are yoga therapy sessions that specifically focus on healing the body without straining it any further.

8. GOOD STRETCHES FOR MUSCLES

Under two circumstances a body needs more focus on good stretching –

When you are active at the gym or outdoor sports, and
When you have been sitting for long hours in front of the computer

Both situations restrict the free flow of energies by bringing tightness in the muscles. Yoga stretches help in improving the flow of oxygen and blood to the muscles which is good for repairing worn out and tired muscles. Yoga also initiates free thinking that improves productivity at work.

9. BREAK FROM REGULAR WORKOUT

Cross-training is a good way to treat the body because by involving yourself in different type of activities you are working on all muscles which otherwise were not utilised in one activity. Adding yoga as one of the activities will benefit your overall health. Yoga is a holistic practice that improves your physical and mental state.

Photo credit for shoulder stand

10. RELAXATION FOR EYES

Technology-driven life is filled with electronic gadgets and there’s no escape from it while studying, working or entertaining yourself. Staring at your computer or television makes your eyes tired and strained. Headache and eyesight problems are the outcomes of it. Meditation and yoga poses improve flow of blood toward the head help to outcome eye-related problems.

11. IMPROVES BODY POSTURE

Sitting on your office chair and working at your desk affects the spinal posture by creating a hump behind shoulders. The best way of keeping spine is a good form is practicing yoga as it helps in strengthening muscles around the spine and making the spine upright.

Photo by Karthik Thoguluva on Unsplash

12. BURNS BELLY FAT

Movements in yoga help in toning the body and to curb excess fat, while holding postures in yoga uses body weight to strengthen and grow lean muscles. Either way, yoga helps in reducing fat from the body and strengthening core muscles.

13. IMPROVES DIGESTION

Excessive stress, irregular sleeping patterns, unhealthy eating habits are some of the reasons for digestive problems. There are various asanas in yoga that work on removing toxins from the system, regulating the digestive process and balancing the appetite.

14. FIGHTS INSOMNIA

Lack of sleep can cause frustration and impulsive behaviour. To feel fresh and active it is necessary for a body to have a good night’s sleep. Meditation and yoga address insomnia by connecting you to your breath, increasing awareness and regulating the nervous system. With yoga, you are guaranteed a restful sleep.

15. IMPROVES SEX LIFE

Restless mind and hectic lifestyle may affect the sex life of a man. Yoga helps to improve sex life by increasing body awareness, enhancing blood circulation and bringing composure in the breath. With increased control of body there is wakefulness of mind that helps in connecting with the partner emotionally.

16. DEVELOPS IMMUNITY

One of the main reasons for falling ill, catching a cold or developing food intolerances is low immunity of the body. The strong immune system makes you fit and healthier by helping you to fight allergic reactions. Yoga develops a good immune system by improving circulation, stabilizing the response of the nervous system and monitoring the function of digestive organs.

17. REDUCES HAIR FALL

The receding hairline may be genetic but our lifestyle has a larger impact on it as well. By now as you know, yoga enhances blood circulation in the body which helps in strengthening the hair roots. There are also specific poses in yoga that concentrates on the flow of blood towards the head that will improve hair growth.

Yoga is not only fitness but an overall healthy practice for men. After knowing the benefits of Yoga for Men, do you fancy joining a yoga class? Be it at home or at a studio near you, go ahead and enjoy the benefits of yoga.

Feature Photo by Artem Beliaikin on Unsplash