Yoga studios across the nation are seeing a larger number of male customers, according to a recent CBS News report. More men are putting down their dumbbells and reaching for their yoga mats.
Yoga was first practiced in India and created by men exclusively for men but it has evolved in the western world as more of a girl gig. Broga is a new yoga fitness program designed specifically for men, according to brogayoga.com. One of the main differences between Broga and traditional yoga is that it caters to men who are not as flexible as their female counterparts. Broga classes are open to both men and women, but are definitely “geared to guys,” according to Broga co-founder Adam O’Neill.
O’Neill’s business partner, Robert Sidoti, believes that men may not be able to perform in the more challenging poses due to the way a man’s body is shaped (i.e., tight hips and stiff shoulders.) Broga combines traditional yoga postures with strength-training exercises and calisthenics, such as push-ups. Another interesting facet to Broga is the type of music played during the class—expect to hear The Black Keys, Radiohead and Bob Dylan. “It is more like a buddy giving you pointers,” says Sidoti.
While Broga has not yet reached the Hampton Roads market, Cheryl Brousseau, an Experienced-Registered Yoga Teacher (E-RYT) in Richmond, is teaching a men-only class at the Country Club of Virginia called “Yoga for Strength.”
“A lot of guys come from years of sports and bone-shortening activities and need ideas for lengthening and stretching in order to continue these activities,” says Brousseau. “I try to appeal to the knowledge around the why and how of basic yoga poses; I bring a sport-oriented approach emphasizing how it may help them improve and feel better in sports like golf, tennis and skiing.”
I bring a sport-oriented approach emphasizing how it may help them improve and feel better in sports like golf, tennis and skiing.”
Her goal is to allow men to feel better and work smarter and, ultimately, feel okay about attending a class that may still be dominated by women. “I hope to also get these men to appreciate using a diaphragmatic-breath for both focus, discipline and stress relief,” says Brousseau.