What is Yoga?

An athlete, a construction worker, a college student and a police officer.

What do these men all have in common? Stress! And a lot of it. Stress which leads to high states of muscular tension. It is an unavoidable and inescapable fact of modern life, particularly in this day and age with all of our “convenient” and “time-saving” wonders of technology. No matter what your profession, position in society, or age, you are most likely dealing with the negative effects of stress in one capacity or another. (but not all stress is negative)

The Modern Male Animal

So how does the “modern male animal” cope with the challenges of stress? Most often by ignoring it or sweeping it under the rug, overeating (or more often, eating the wrong kinds of food), not exercising, and/or drinking and smoking. None of these are what one would describe as “healthy solutions” to the ongoing problems of stress.

Yoga teaches us to cure what need not be endured and endure what cannot be cured. ~ BKS Iyengar

But despite what Western society would like you to believe (after all, there is BIG money in keeping you – the modern male animal – as bloated with tension and stress as possible, just ask the pharmaceutical industry), there is another way of dealing with – and in some cases eliminating – debilitating and age-advancing stress from your daily life.

The answer is 5000 years old and it’s called Yoga. And it’s not just for women. Not by a long shot. Here are some interesting facts about Yoga that you might not know…

Yoga facts at a glance

• The craft of Yoga is over 5000 years old.
• Yoga was once for “men only”.
• Yoga translated means “union”, “yoke”, or “to bind”, the concept here being a union of mind, body and soul. (learn more about the 8 limbs of Yoga)
• Yoga is Hindu in nature, meaning that it began in India. But Yoga itself is not a religion. Yoga is beneficial to, and is, for EVERYONE. If you’re a human, Yoga can help.
• Many professional athletes are practicing Yoga and quickly discovering that the enhancements to their careers are undeniable.

“Yoga saved my career. I was facing back surgery, and tried yoga instead. Now my back is in great shape, plus Yoga is an unbelievable workout. I’m a total convert.”
~ Justin Gimelstob, ATP tennis player

Yoga as a cure-all?

It is a firm belief of ours that there is not one aspect of your life that Yoga cannot help you with. Our endeavor is simply to get more men to give it a try. That’s all. Will it be difficult? Very much so. Are there gains to be made? Absolutely. But the gains will not happen without an honest effort and attempt on your part. Our modest request is for you to set aside your ego, find a class or buy a DVD, and do whatever it takes to get yourself started. After that, the benefits are all yours.