Is Gay Yoga Different?

For many people both in India and the West yoga is more than a way to stay in shape, it is a way of life. Of course, this is the traditional purpose of yoga which actually encompasses much more than just the physical poses that are so common in the West. However, even if you are only doing Western fitness-based yoga, will you find that after some time yoga begins to define a part of who you are. There are many different variations of yoga available in the West including “flowing” yoga, a yoga and Pilates mix, and even “hot” yoga, yoga done in a hot room so that you sweat out toxins while you exercise. Yoga is a very individualized way to exercise; you only do the poses to the level at which you are comfortable. That also means that classes should be a very comfortable place where you feel safe enough push yourself to your limits, but not beyond. Because of this, many yoga classes have been created to put people together from the same community such as prenatal yoga, yoga for women, or gay yoga.

Since you need to feel comfortable and relaxed in order to get the full benefit of yoga, besides tailoring classes to certain demographics of people, the entire structure of the yoga studio and class is geared toward a soothing atmosphere.

Generally yoga studios have low lighting and most instructors choose to play soft music before the class begins as well as during the final meditation period.

The flow of a general yoga class is also designed to challenge you without stressing your mind or your body. Generally the class starts out with some easier warm up exercises.

The structure of a yoga class is also designed to reduce your stress level. When you first start you will engage in breathing exercises should help you to clear your mind.

Once you are warmed up and ready to go you will start to do poses that gradually get more challenging as the class goes on. It would be toward the middle or end of class that strength training and Pilates exercises would be held.

Then again you will engage in a cool down session and some more breathing and mediation exercises before you go on your way.

All yoga classes are designed to make you feel both relaxed and energized. They are truly exercises for both the mind and body. Many yoga practitioners even begin to think of yoga as a lifestyle choice. That is why there are so many community oriented yoga classes such as gay yoga that further help to bring people together.

Information about gay yoga by Howie Holben. He and Spirit Journeys have put together a gay yoga retreat trip and they also have gay naked yoga retreats for men.