yoga for flexibilty?

Question

I want to improve my flexibility for sports. Is yoga a good way to do this? If so, what type of yoga?
How much does it usually cost to take classes?
What's the female/male ratio of yoga classes usually?
What's the alternative to wearing tight pants so I don't look like a flaming homo?

Answer 1

Because yoga increases your flexibility, it enhances your range of motion, giving you more power in your body’s movements. This becomes a huge advantage in virtually any action such as running, reaching, throwing, swinging and twisting.

Increased flexibility improves your performance therefore helps in preventing injuries. But when the occasional damage or strain in your muscles, tendons or even bones occur, doing yoga aids in recovering from injuries.

There are many yoga styles, but if you are a beginner I would highly suggest that you take a Hatha class, or an Iyengar yoga class. Hatha yoga is a basic class, while Iyengar yoga focuses on alignment of the body and the use of props such as straps, blocks, etc. for beginners to come into the pose with more ease.

Class rates vary, it can cost anywhere between $10-$20. Most yoga studios offer package deals, making it more reasonable and affordable.

According to a 2005 study, roughly 77 percent of yoga practitioners in America are female.

Men can wear shorts that are comfortable enough to move around in. Baggy sweatpants are not recommended, it is better to wear something knee-length, or above the knee. Please make sure you wear underwear underneath, so that the ladies dont see anything when doing awkward positions.

I highly recommend yoga not just for flexibilty and strength, but it's also a nice way to de-stress and relax.

Good luck!

Answer 2

I am a certified fitness/yoga instructor so I hope I can help. Yoga can be helpful with flexibility if you are doing asanas (positions) that promote flexibilty. I suggest hatha yoga or find a class that is called yoga for flexibilty. Cost vary so much its hard to give you a solid answer on that one. There are usually more females but at the Y where I used to take class there were 5 guys and about 12 women. Wear a pair of shorts or work out pants with t-shirt. You might want to tuck the shirt in for some of the inverted poses so that it does not fall in your face.

Answer 3

Yoga is fabulous for flexibility. I used to take yoga classes at Gold's Gym (Hatha Yoga) and the ratio was 3/4 women and 1/4 men. The price for the yoga class was included in the monthly membership (S39,-)
Then I wanted more Yoga and I started to take Dahn Yoga classes and I went every day (it's more expensive, the average was probably around $10.- per class) This Yoga was very fabulous. I could stretch like I have never stretched in my life. The ratio men/women was more even. I liked that you saw all age groups from young to very, very old (in their 80's) People at dahn Yoga wore a uniform which looked close to one of Karate or TaekwonDo. Unfortunately we moved and there is no Dahn Yoga anywhere in this state.

Answer 4

Yoga is great for flexibility and toning. I took a Yoga college class, and then I took one at a gym that cost $50 unlimited classes. Both classes I took did not have many guys attending, but the few that did attend used normal gym shorts, not necessarily tight. Although, you might want to use tights if your shorts are too loose, to avoid unnecessary flashing.

Good luck.

Answer 5

yes, its awesome! im on the varisty swim, tennis, and soccer teams at my high school, and i decided to take yoga before my junior year started. i even convinced my boyfriend to since he plays football and they stopped karate lessons to improve balance.

what really helps is the breathing practices. it helps you center the mind, and therefore, performance. i can really concentrate on my goals during a meet, match, game, etc.
and the stretching is amazing! it invigorates your body so you leave relaxed but feeling powerful.
i was actually able to do a bicycle kick my first game this season, usually i ended up pulling something, but not this time!
the benefits are endless, seriously.

my yoga center has three types of payments: 7 dollars for a single class, 30 dollars for 5 classes a month, and 50 dollars for unlimited classes every month.

as for guy/girl ratio, it varies. it IS mostly women, but ive seen it half and half a few times, but it really doesnt matter. some women think guys who do yoga are in-touch and down to earth, which is pretty attractive haha

as for pants, dont worry. my boyfriend wears his football tights or whatever under a pair of shorts. you can wear sweatpants, too. but, if you wear shorts, be sure to wear something tight, like his football tights haha, so that youre still covered for things like bending over, etc.
but check with your yoga center, some have stricter rules, but my center allows most anything as long as the clothes you wear wont expose anything while in class.

hope this helps!

Answer 6

Just buy a good DVD and do it at home. You can wear sweat pants and yes, yoga is extremely good for flexibility. I prefer Hatha yoga.

Answer 7

http://www.yoga.com
Its just stretching exercises like u did when u were a kid.
sitting like an indian, breathing deep thru belly button.
u can do it at home