Does Yoga work for men as well as pilates?

Answer 1

Yes, they can! Nothing about the either system of exercise is restricted or even tailored specifically to either gender.

Yoga is an ancient tradition that incorporates many aspects of physical, mental, and religious wellness. What we in the West know as "yoga" is actually "hatha yoga," or the physical aspect of yogic practices combined with such disciplines as Chinese gymnastics. Some exercises and teachings even share ideas and movements with martial arts.
The association of yoga with women is a more recent and very western phenomenon. If you were to venture to yoga's roots, you would find that most practitioners are male, and many of the most respected teachers even in the west are men.
The most recent issue of Yoga Journal explores the issue of why men hesitate about taking yoga classes. Here are some other articles that follow a similar theme: http://www.yogajournal.com/views/1081_1.cfm, http://www.yogajournal.com/views/291_1.cfm, http://www.yogajournal.com/views/918_1.cfm.

Similarly, the founder of the Pilates system was Joseph Pilates, a man. He designed the system to rehabilitate his own body, and he began spreading his method by working first with men, then with both men and women.
The association of Pilates with women is a more recent development, the result of marketing departments seizing on the fact that women want long, lean thighs and toned midsections like they believe ballerinas have. (Yes, many dancers - both male and female - use Pilates to correct imbalances in their bodies, etc. But that doesn't mean you have to be a dancer to find Pilates useful.)
The Classical Pilates videos use male as well as female instructors to demonstrate exercises, for example.

Answer 2

I suppose it was only a matter of time before the mass marketing about diet and fitness and weight loss caught up with Yoga.

After all, Yoga is certainly going through a period of resurgance - not the first, as these things typically move in cycles as does most of the market.

Typically though, when you read about Yoga, the topic is peace of mind, spirituality, relaxation, meditation, perhaps physical conditioning and strength (both physical and mental).

This time though, the debate rests squarely on yoga's ability to shed pounds in a society that is struggling with record levels of obesity on the one hand, and a severe "thin" image problem held by popular celebrities on the other.

A recent study started the heated debate by claiming a link between yoga and weight loss.

Specifically, the study found that middle-age people who practice yoga tended to experience gradual weight loss over a 10-year period, while those that did not practice yoga seemed to experience fairly substantial weight gain over the same period.

Since the study was released, a constant barrage of skeptics have pointed out flaws in the research that range from self-reported results to missing many other factors that may lead people to both practice yoga and have reduced weight.

As usual, the truth lies somewhere in the middle, at least based on my own experiences.

It is much more likely that the positive factors of yoga and meditation have on your mind and body impact your self-image, nutrition choices, and overall stress level which are major factors in weight control.

Stress not only results in unhealthy binge eating and poor nutritional choices, but actually has physiological impacts on your body that often result in craving foods that can result in greater weight gain such as sugars, starches and carbohydrates.

In the end, what is important is that you are becoming healthier, happier, experience less stress in your life and enjoy your life to the maximum possible.

Answer 3

I've never done pilate's, but I have done yoga as instructed by my older sibling.

Yoga, by definition, "is one of the six schools of Hindu philosophy, focusing on meditation."

For guys (personal experience) it helps in my studies a lot. Helps me revitalize my attention in certain subjects.

Its supposed to do wonders for flexibility, and elongating muscles. I would assume that it would help your body to look lean.

If your worried about these forms of exercises, gender serves as no issue. The only thing that may get in your way is that we have something in between our legs that girls don't.

Answer 4

Yes ,
most men are surprised to find out the results may be a lot better than they would have ever believed, both for the mind than the body,
Yoga has mental and physical benefits, where as just as satisfying
Palate's has its rewards,
mostly physical.

Answer 5

i imagine it really is unquestionably well worth a try. be particular you try a minimum of three training to work out in case you want it. in case you have not in any respect finished pilates or yoga previously you'll discover it somewhat strange feeling. keep on with it and it will be a sturdy supplement your practise application! do not forget to positioned on lengthy well being club pants or sweats, as antagonistic to free shorts!

Answer 6

Yes, it does work for men, you wont get buff but you will get a lot of muscle definition.