Why Not Yoga?

Yoga. It’s kind of an odd-sounding word, don’t you think? For whatever reason, it makes me think of Yogi the Bear when I hear it. But it also makes me think of hard work and physical labor, which is exactly what my body seems to endure when I am doing yoga.

I just finished a third class this past week when it occurred to me that I never seem to run into anyone I know when I go to yoga classes. Granted, I go to classes at YMCAs in northwest OKC, which may not be the destination for many people I know. But the thing is, yoga is great exercise for your body and mind and I am here to advocate for people to give it a try.

Forget the silly names of the positions. This week, I found myself doing “pigeon” and “down dog” and “dead bug” and “threading the needle.” And, of course, my favorite – “savasana,” which is the nap-like relaxing position that occurs at the end of every class.

I got started with yoga a few years ago as an attempt to work on stretching out my body. I thought it might help my back and I had read that some professional athletes said it was the best thing they did for their bodies. And, as some of you may know, I have often been under the illusion that I was actually a professional (although unpaid and lacking of talent) athlete. It is tough but definitely something that has helped through the years. When I did end up having a major problem with my back that led to the surgery I had over a year and a half ago, it occurred to me that it had been awhile since I had last been to a yoga class when my back began having the problems.

I got back to doing yoga a few months following my surgery as a way to continue my physical therapy that the insurance company in its infinite non-medical experience wisdom decided I no longer needed. Whether I am able to go to one or two or three classes, it is always helpful but usually a struggle. However, the classes seem to be split as to how difficult the class is.

The thing about yoga is that there are a lot of myths about it. That it is something only women do. Or that it is a place where men sometimes go to try to pick up on women. Or that it isn’t “manly” to do yoga. Or that it is just sitting around in a relaxed state. None of these have been the case when I have gone. I have never noticed any of the guys flirting with any of the women there. In fact, most of the guys who do go typically are there with a wife or significant other. The single guys tend to keep to themselves.

The number of men who go to the yoga classes I have been to is low. The class I went on Saturday morning had maybe a dozen women and one other guy besides myself. Yes, it was the morning after St. Patrick’s Day, which I’m sure eliminated everyone but the dedicated “yogis” who avoided the hangover so they could find peace and relaxation at the gym.

Yoga can be relaxing but mostly it is a sweat-inducing, sometimes painful hour of stretching your body to its limits. There are balancing poses and positions that require a great deal of twisting and turning. For someone like me who is still recovering in some ways from surgery, it is a continuation of the physical therapy I need to be able to walk normally again. For others, it may be a way to work on getting in shape or even to just be around other people.

For the guys out there, they won’t take away your man card if you do yoga. And if you are worried about embarrassing yourself, keep in mind that I do it two to three times a week and usually can’t keep up. I am not the oldest person in the room nor am I the weakest person there.

Yoga is for everyone, and it is a great way to work on testing your body’s limits for short periods of time. Give it a try – I did and I have never regretted it since.