Yoga has not been seen as a men’s activity in Goulburn and female instructors with their high level of flexibility can be somewhat off-putting. But yoga’s origin is with Indus-Sarasvati civilization in Northern India and it was principally a men’s practice to tune the mind and body.
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Yoga today is still taught to promote mind and body well-being and to release the tensions both physical and mental associated with daily life. However it is not as widely practised by men as it probably should given the high levels of stress and their lack of physical exercise associated with job demands. Women have been much more forthright in embracing the training.
It is fitting that Goulburn’s new men’s yoga class is being conducted in the Goulburn Martial Arts Studio at a time that better suits the target group.
Mel Champion of Life Yoga Goulburn recognised that men generally prefer to be taught yoga by a man and that there was a need in the city for such a class. She recently engaged Glenn Reynolds who owns a property at Quialigo and is an experienced instructor, with a martial arts background, to conduct the sessions.
I went along to last Saturday’s yoga session at the Clifford St gym to see what it was all about. Listening to the soothing music and watching the three students and instructor Glenn Reynolds going through a series of fluid movement exercises as I lay on the mats taking photographs was an engaging experience.
I recognised that this form of smooth, soothing, gentle, but quite physically taxing exercise, in a non-intimidating environment could be beneficial to someone like me.
As a middle aged worker, with a largely office based job, who lacks flexibility and core strength and operates in a mentally stressful environment, this would certainly help, even if I was not up to the level of the three martial arts practitioners on the mats.
Glenn explained that the yoga class just for the guys was designed to give a much needed stretch, strengthen and rest that was most likely lacking in their work, home and sporting routine.
Normally there are about a dozen participants, but with school holidays and other activities over the weekend the numbers were down.
“It doesn’t matter what shape you are in to start, you only stretch and exert yourself to a level you can handle,” Glenn said. “Flexibility and strength comes with time and practice. Breathing is also important and you learn techniques to improve this too. Equally important is the rest between exertion and at the end of the session to clear your thoughts and improve your focus.”
Yoga is a tool for so many common concerns including stress management, injury prevention, flexibility and tension, insomnia, back pain and so much more.
"Yoga in Goulburn has tended to be a bit of a girls only zone and when Glenn got in touch with me mid-year I grabbed the chance to offer something new," Mel Champion said. “I could see the benefits for men and having a male teacher was essential.”
The class is on each Saturday at 8.30am during school terms at Goulburn Martial Arts Academy in Clifford Street. There are young guys coming to class each week from aged 10 up to the very mature, all sizes, shapes and skill levels are welcome. For information on the class call Life Yoga Goulburn on 0417656043 or see www.lifeyogagoulburn.com
Darryl Fernance
Photojournalist at the Goulburn Post
Photojournalist at the Goulburn Post
