Yoga is one of the earliest forms of complementary and alternative exercise, and people have practiced this form of relaxation and exercise for thousands of years. Men who practice the postures and breathing techniques of this ancient tradition can reap physical, emotional and mental health benefits. Before practicing any new exercise, seek advice from a physician.
Reduced Stress
Yoga requires men to slow down, practice mindfulness and breathe deeply, all of which might help in reducing stress. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine explains that research suggests that men who practice yoga might experience fewer cases of depression, anxiety and insomnia, which are all complications of stress. In addition, men who practice yoga often develop an improved mood and sense of well-being, explains the website.
Greater Mental Focus
Yoga can help reduce fatigue that causes men to feel distracted or out of focus when at work or school. According to MayoClinic.com, yoga helps teach men to quiet the mind and focus on the activity or exercise at hand. This improved sense of focus can lead to greater productivity at home or work, and might increase performance on the job as well. Men who participate in other sports or physical activities might find improved athletic performance as a result of increased clarity and focus from practicing yoga.
Increased Strength
Yoga, unlike popular sports such as football or soccer, works all the muscles of the body, explains the Canadian Living website. By working all of the body's muscles, each muscle increases in strength rather than only the muscles of the calves or upper arms. In addition, by focusing on the entire body rather than a few muscle groups, muscle strains and overuse injuries might occur less frequently in men who practice yoga.
Cardiovascular Health
Heart disease kills more American men every year than any other cause of death, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Practicing yoga can decrease the heart rate and blood pressure in men. High blood pressure is a risk factor for diseases of the heart including heart attack and stroke. In addition, the decreased level of stress in men who practice yoga might also contribute to a reduced risk of heart disease. Yoga can also help men achieve weight loss, which is another contributing factor for heart disease.
Improved Libido
According to the Canadian Living website, men who practice yoga might notice improved libido and performance in the bedroom. Practicing the eagle pose (guarasana) and triangle pose (trikonasana) is designed to oxygenate the blood and increase cardiovascular endurance, which could be helpful during sexual intimacy. The greater flexibility of men who practice yoga might also benefit performance in the bedroom.
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