Bro Yoga

I went to a yoga class for men last Friday.

Yoga spaces often feel dominated by women, and that can be intimidating for a man getting into the practice. I’ve always wondered, is this space really for me? On top of that, many corporate yoga studios seem like the old ‘80s fitness centers have dressed up in a yoga costume. Because of this, I never seriously considered going to a traditional class.

That’s not to say I’ve never set foot in a yoga studio. I’ve attended sound healings and yoga nidra sessions (which, for me, has mostly been an excuse for a long nap). I’ve also practiced yoga with my wife, who is a phenomenal yoga instructor. But my practice has always been private — just the two of us, at home. I’m grateful for those lessons because, holy shit, if I had gone into this class blind, I would have struggled for sure!

Last Friday, though, I stepped into a new experience: a men’s yoga class where all skill levels were welcome. Some guys had never done yoga before, while others casually pulled off headstands at the end.

For 45 minutes, we moved through an intense, traditional practice — breathing, mindfulness, and strength. Our instructor guided us through the fundamentals, reminding us that yoga isn’t just about stretching; it’s about building strength, improving mobility, and cultivating awareness. We even touched on its mental health benefits — reduced stress, better focus — but I could only half-listen while trying to hold a strong Warrior II.

Can we talk about these poses a second? Warrior II, in Sanskrit is Virabhadrasana II, and is named after a Hindu god who incarnated as a human. Virabhadra = the name of a fierce warrior, an incarnation of Shiva, described as having a thousand heads, a thousand eyes, and a thousand feet, wielding a thousand clubs and wearing a tiger’s skin. Incredible.

I showed up. I moved. I fell out of poses. I rested when I needed to. And it felt good.

Afterward, in a moment of pure bro yoga defiance, we cracked open some beers in the studio. We got to integrate the practice, ask questions, do some community building. Maybe that’s not “traditional”, but it felt right. More than anything, I felt welcome. I felt like I belonged.

Ultimately though I felt rinsed out. Beat up. Cleansed.

Looking forward to the next class.

~ Namaste

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