Yoga is a Technology

“In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities; in the expert's mind there are few.”
—Shunryu Suzuki

During a cold Fall day in Chicago back in 2005, I walked into my first yoga class. I started practicing to meet women and cross-train for a half-marathon. It also helped that the class was included in my membership at XSport Fitness in the Old Town Neighborhood. That first class was torture. Child’s Pose killed my knees and Triangle Pose made my hamstrings scream. What l loved for that hour of class was how the rest of my crazy world disappeared.

Almost 9 years later, I’m still practicing but my reasons have changed. My practice has been with me through business failures, heartbreak, losing what I thought was everything and periods of depression and self-love.

Most guys could benefit from getting unstuck, chilling out a little, so that we can start living happier lives—whatever happy means to you. A yoga practice is a platform to help us. It's a 3000+ year-old human technology.

Yoga is an old-school technology being used in modern society. It can help us be more connected with our thoughts, fears, hopes and passions. You could think of the parts of your yoga practice as a bundle including vulnerability—a sign of real strength—and self-awareness apps. Even if you only use 10% of the available apps, you'll be better at managing stress, your career, being present for your family or wait for it….improve your flexibility. It all depends on how and why you want to use the apps.

Why a guy chooses to practice yoga is a personal decision. Just like the apps you have on the phone you may be using to read this article. Here are real-life reasons from guys living all around the world:

• “25 extra pounds... bad knee, bad back, bad shoulder, and bad attitude... it ALL needed to change. I was promised a good cardio workout, weight loss, and a better attitude.... I lost 40 lbs, shoulder doesn't hurt, nor does my back, repaired the knee, prevented further injury to the 'good knee' and adjusted my attitude”
• “Too much pain.”
• “mild knee pain due overexercise”
• “The beautiful women that were in it!”
• “Anxiety. Desperation. And a massive hangover. In Bali.”
• “I heard that you could get a good workout and stress reduction, all in an hour and a half!”
• “Severe back issues. Yoga changed my life.”
• “I had books & DVDs, and found yoga helped resolve back pain. Then I got a job with a company that had a fitness center, offering yoga classes. I was a little scared to try it, expecting something new age or weird. But the class had a reduced fee session, and I tried it. Was hooked immediately.”
• “I walked by a room with 75 women in down-dog in California, done deal. 20 years ago.”
• “I was tired of waking up in the mornings still tired and hurting.”
• “I was alone.. climbing, traveling, living in my car. found a like minded tribe.. they taught me about my breath.. and balance and focus. they also practiced yoga.”
• “Studio had a free class for kids. I took them for kids yoga & participated with them. They told me they were running a 10 hot yoga classes for 20. So i tried it & haven't looked back”
• “I've been wanting to enlighten my perspective on things. Improve my way of life and be a positive role model to my son.

We use the tech to fit our unique needs. Today, I use for my mental and physical well-being, and it's a great app for connecting with other people.

This is an adapted excerpt from Flexibility Not Required: Yoga for Men v1.08. If you liked this article, you'll like the book. Get your copy today