02/10/2026
Something I’ve noticed after teaching men yoga for many years…
Men come to yoga for all sorts of reasons.
Some want to feel more comfortable in their body. Some want greater flexibility, strength or mobility. Some have been encouraged to try yoga by a doctor, physio or other health professional. Some are curious, looking for a better way to manage stress, or simply feel ready to look after themselves differently.
And some men come having barely moved for years. Their body may feel stiff, guarded or unfamiliar. They may be nervous about movement or unsure of what they can do.
That is where experience matters.
Over the years, I’ve learned that sometimes the most useful thing you can do is slow everything down.
To work gently.
To work softly.
To listen carefully.
To respect where someone is that day.
Not every body needs a stronger pose, deeper stretch or faster routine.
A lot of yoga today can become focused on the sequence — getting through the poses or keeping up with the class.
But yoga should never be more important than the person practising it.
For me, the practice has to meet the individual.
And often, the reason someone begins is not the reason they continue. What starts as stretching can gradually become something deeper.
With regular practice, yoga can begin to affect not only the body, but also the way we respond to stress, relate to ourselves and move through life.
There can be emotional changes too — more awareness, patience, confidence, clarity and space.
And for some, a spiritual dimension begins to emerge: a deeper sense of connection, stillness, reflection, meaning, or a different relationship with themselves and with life.
That, for me, is part of practising real yoga.
Yoga should fit the person.
The person should never have to fit the yoga.
