Yoga Poses: A Workout Routine for Men
For a long time, yoga was considered to be a women’s thing. While women signed up for yoga classes all over the world, men still pumped iron and lifted weights to grow more muscular. While all gyms offer some workout routine for men, it is yoga that not only helps in toning body and making you flexible but also helps in building endurance and maintaining good health. Men, especially those who indulge in competitive sports, can benefit greatly from yoga. The particular areas of their bodies where men are especially stiff, when injured, causes a lot of discomfort. The stiffness greatly reduces the chances of healing of the injured areas of the body.
Yoga poses for men have the potential to give a full body workout. These make the stiff portions of the body, like the shoulders and the hips, a little more flexible. These exercises also work upon the often neglected parts of the body like the knees and the lower back. There are not only many yoga exercises for men but also many yoga benefits for men. Here are some poses that can be included in a yoga workout for men.
Forward Fold
This is a bending exercise that helps tone up the calves and the hips, while stretching the hamstrings. Simply part both your feet and stand straight. Now bend your torso over, towards the floor. If you can feel a pressure building up on your hamstrings and knees, gently bend the knees to release it. Now with your hands, grasp the elbows of the opposite arms. Hold this for a minute or two before getting back to the standing pose.
Downward-Facing Dog Pose
This pose helps to stretch the hamstrings, feet, calves, and shoulders. It also works out the arms and legs. Position yourself on all fours for this pose. Your knees and feet should be apart, parallel to each other. Your hands too should be placed on the ground, parallel to each other. Now, putting the weight on your hands, lift your knees and stretch your legs backwards. Lengthen the pose as much as you can by moving your hands and feet. Press your heels on the floor and start to relax your head and neck. Breathe deeply and hold the pose for 3 to 5 minutes.
Bridge Pose
This pose helps stretch the neck, chest, and hips, and it strengthens the spine. Lie down on the floor and bend your knees to place your feet on the floor. Place both your palms on the floor with your arms resting along your torso. Now take a deep breath and lift your hips. Stretch your body as much as you can in this position. Hold this pose for a few seconds, and then exhale while coming back to the resting position.
Yoga poses for men have the potential to give a full body workout. These make the stiff portions of the body, like the shoulders and the hips, a little more flexible. These exercises also work upon the often neglected parts of the body like the knees and the lower back. There are not only many yoga exercises for men but also many yoga benefits for men. Here are some poses that can be included in a yoga workout for men.
This is a bending exercise that helps tone up the calves and the hips, while stretching the hamstrings. Simply part both your feet and stand straight. Now bend your torso over, towards the floor. If you can feel a pressure building up on your hamstrings and knees, gently bend the knees to release it. Now with your hands, grasp the elbows of the opposite arms. Hold this for a minute or two before getting back to the standing pose.
Downward-Facing Dog Pose
This pose helps to stretch the hamstrings, feet, calves, and shoulders. It also works out the arms and legs. Position yourself on all fours for this pose. Your knees and feet should be apart, parallel to each other. Your hands too should be placed on the ground, parallel to each other. Now, putting the weight on your hands, lift your knees and stretch your legs backwards. Lengthen the pose as much as you can by moving your hands and feet. Press your heels on the floor and start to relax your head and neck. Breathe deeply and hold the pose for 3 to 5 minutes.
Bridge Pose
This pose helps stretch the neck, chest, and hips, and it strengthens the spine. Lie down on the floor and bend your knees to place your feet on the floor. Place both your palms on the floor with your arms resting along your torso. Now take a deep breath and lift your hips. Stretch your body as much as you can in this position. Hold this pose for a few seconds, and then exhale while coming back to the resting position.