As you may know I have taken up yoga to see what it’s all about and to find out how beneficial it could be for men. In doing so here are my 5 top mens yoga tips to make your classes that bit more bearable or clue you up before you start.

1. Leggings

You can’t go wrong in yoga if you wear leggings. They keep you warm in the coldest of studios and they stretch just like skin. Leggings are particularly good if you feel like your shorts are a little too short! No one likes a drop out, especially in a cold room full of women. So in my opinion leggings are your perfect yoga buddy along side your trusty mat.

2. Stretch everyday

When I first started at the gym all I concentrated on was doing weights and after time my posture became bad and my body was stiff. This is the whole reason why I took up yoga in the first place. To become more flexible. Stretching alongside your everyday workouts will really help you out with your yoga practise. It will also help you in other everyday activities.

3. Water

If you find yourself in a Vinyasa style yoga class you may be surprised as to how demanding the class can be. Keep yourself hydrated and listen to your body throughout the class. I have however heard some yoga teachers tell you to drink water only before and after but not during yoga as it makes your body heavier.

4. Headband for long hair

Over the last few months I have been growing my hair, it was unnoticeable to me at first however now I am doing headstands and handstands as well as any forward bend I have noticed that my hair gets in my way a lot. So I suggest investing in a headband.

5. Focus

If you’re new to yoga, or if you’re working on new postures that your body is not used to yet, drishti can be utilised to nailing every pose. The more focus you give the better the results. Drishti is a term that loosely translates to; an area of focus or a place to look. The first thing that drishti offers you in yoga is balance. If you’re in a posture that is challenging your balance or your ability to not fall face first to the floor, drishti is your best friend.

Having a clear focus point when attempting something like Vrksasana (tree pose) can mean the difference between a strong standing tree and a “timber” moment. This focused view will help you find your centre and connect with the stability within your own body. In short the more focus you give, the better the results.

What are your top mens yoga tips?

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Photos taken at Amatara Wellness Resort, Thailand