If you have yet to begin practicing yoga, we’re sure you’re wondering what all the fuss is about. Yoga has been praised by celebrity athletes, such as Russell Wilson and Cristiano Ronaldo, as one of the best ways to keep fit during the season. It has also been shown to increase flexibility and reduce stress levels, but perhaps the most intriguing benefit of yoga is its ability to improve athletic performance.
1) Build strength
With the introduction of Yoga Gent, it is now possible to get the benefits of a yoga workout with specific modifications made to the poses in order to maximize strength gains. For example, when doing downward dog, you can place your hands on top of a Swiss ball and push off with your feet to raise your hips up higher than normal. This will activate all of your arm muscles as well as your core. It also helps strengthen each individual finger joint by making sure that each one is fully straightened at all times.
Downward dog can be modified in many other ways such as using a resistance band looped around the foot or placing blocks under the hands so that you can increase the height without having to worry about balance.
2) Tone core muscles
The core muscles are the most important muscles in your body. Your core muscles are responsible for stabilizing, supporting, and moving your spine and trunk. Engaging these muscles can prevent back pain, improve athletic performance, and lead to a long life. That's why it's so important that you take care of them with some great Yoga in Gent workouts!
- Core-Boosting Beginner Sequence
Start in table position on your hands and knees. Bring your left knee to touch your right hand or just let it hang off the floor (it should still be under your body). Keep your back flat as you do this pose and then come out by going back into table position on both knees before moving onto the next pose.
3) Improve flexibility
The Yoga Gents podcast has five different yoga workouts designed specifically for men. From beginner to advanced, these workouts will help you get flexible and fit in a variety of situations.
The first workout is called The Yogi’s Basic Yoga Routine and includes some basic stretches that are perfect to do at home before or after work. The next workout is called Power Sequence and includes more intense moves that can be done as part of a high-energy morning routine. This 20-minute workout is perfect for those who need an extra push to start the day off right. It also includes a cool down and meditation session. It may seem like it would take up too much time but this workout can actually be condensed into 10 minutes if needed!
The third workout is called Core Flow Yoga which was created by yogi David Longmuir. He focuses on poses that target your core, shoulders, hips and arms while also incorporating plenty of breath work to keep things flowing throughout your practice. He also incorporates yoga postures from other styles like Thai massage for added intensity (trust us). Your fourth option is Chair Yoga which focuses on doing various stretching exercises with just your body weight from sitting on a chair. It’s perfect if you want to stay active during cold winter days when you don't want to head outside!
4) Relax your mind and body
You might have heard that yoga is just another one of those fad workout trends. Or you might even think it's too wimpy because it doesn't seem like a workout at all. But the truth is, yoga isn't just good for your body; it's also good for your mind. Yoga isn't just about exercising; its benefits are primarily mental and spiritual in nature. And don't worry, there are plenty of physical benefits as well. Yoga has been shown to improve flexibility and balance, reduce stress, boost mood and immune system functioning, and more! Plus, research shows that practicing yoga can help protect against cancer due to its anti-inflammatory properties. If you're looking for a way to unwind after work or school, give this ancient practice a try. Get all of our yoga workouts for men right here on our blog today! First up is Yogis with Dogs (a core workout):
Begin by sitting tall with your feet touching the ground. Then reach both arms out over your head and bend forward, placing hands flat on floor while keeping spine straight. Next bend your knees until they touch the ground with fingertips still touching floor. Place forehead to ground in a plank position and hold stretch for 20 seconds before returning to start position by lifting torso back up into seated position and bending arms down so elbows meet outside of knees.
5) Keep it interesting with variety
#1) Stretch: This is a good way to start the day off, or to end the night. We highly recommend you do this before bed and when you wake up. Doing this will not only make your muscles feel better, but it'll also help prevent injuries from happening. #2) Warrior 2: This is a great workout because it's easy to do anywhere, and does wonders for your legs, hips, and lower back. You can do this workout in the morning with breakfast or as a midday break from work. #3) Seated Forward Bend: If you're looking for something low-impact that'll help you stretch out your back after being in an office chair all day, then this is the one for you! Do this for about five minutes every morning when you get up and see how much of a difference it makes. #4) Cobra Pose: When you're feeling sore in your upper body, try doing some Cobra Pose to relieve tension. It's perfect after heavy lifting days at the gym, or if you have any chronic pain conditions. Remember to take things slow and be mindful of where you are putting weight on your body as well.
#5) Yoga Nidra (Dreaming):
If sleep has been eluding you lately, consider practicing Yoga Nidra to get those zzzs back into your life again! By letting go of thoughts and focusing on our breath instead, we can ease stress levels and allow ourselves time to heal both physically and mentally.
