Is Yoga Different For Males And Females (The Basics)

By: Mugen Seki
Date: March 3, 2023
Time to read: 8 min.

Yoga is gaining popularity as more people become aware of its benefits. But it’s hard to know if yoga differs for males and females.

There are hundreds of different yoga styles, and each style teaches something different. Some teach the same poses but with different variations.

So if you’re wondering whether or not yoga is different for men and women, you’ve come to the right place.

Key Takeaways

Although yoga is often considered a “feminine” activity, it can benefit both men and women.
Men and women approach yoga differently, with men often focusing more on the physical aspects. In contrast, women are more interested in the spiritual and emotional benefits.

However, both sexes can benefit from the practice in terms of increased flexibility, strength, and mental well-being.
Depending on their physiology, some poses may be more beneficial for either men or women. Still, overall, yoga can be practiced by anyone regardless of gender.
Ultimately, it is up to the individual to decide how they want to practice yoga and what benefits they hope to gain from it.

Few people sitting in a circle and doing yoga outdoor — Is Yoga Different For Males And Females

Table of Contents

Here’s The Answer To Is Yoga Different For Males And Females

The answer, according to experts, is a resounding yes. For starters, men and women have different body types. Females tend to have more body fat and less muscle mass than males, which means they may find it more difficult to perform certain yoga poses.

They also tend to have less range of motion in their joints. Women tend to have a higher heart rate and different metabolic rate than men, which can impact how they respond to yoga practices.

And while both genders can benefit from the stress relief and improved strength that comes with yoga, men may find it easier to build strength in certain poses due to their higher testosterone levels.

There are gender differences in the type of yoga that is most popular. Men tend to gravitate towards more athletic styles of yoga, such as Ashtanga and Bikram. Women are also more likely to do Hatha or Kundalini yoga than men.

Both Males And Females Have Different Needs And Want’s

A few men and women doing yoga in a yoga studio — Both Males And Females Have Different Needs And Want’s

As a man, it’s easy to feel like yoga is geared toward women. When we think of yoga, we imagine long-haired yogis in flowing white robes who do stretches in the sun. However, yoga practice has advantages for all sexes.

Yoga isn’t just about flexibility; it also helps strengthen your muscles (which will happen more quickly if you’re male). You need balance if you want to be healthy.

Just like any other activity, doing activities too much or too little will not give you lasting results; finding a happy medium between exercise and rest is essential for success in any area of life.

But Still Not Many Differences Between The Two Sexes When It Comes To Yoga

However, before you draw any judgments, let’s examine some of the more widespread fallacies regarding men and women practicing yoga.

Myth: Men and women are different species.

Fact: Though there are differences between men’s and women’s bodies that range from height to bone structure to muscle mass, these differences don’t necessarily affect their practice in a meaningful way. There are plenty of tall people whose flexibility is limited by tight hamstrings or ankles rather than height itself. So no matter your body type—whether short or tall; fat or skinny; male or female—you can benefit from doing yoga regularly.

Male And Female Anatomy May Affect How You Practice Yoga

Few female doing yoga on blue yoga mats — Male And Female Anatomy May Affect How You Practice Yoga

You may find that your male or female body is built differently and has different needs.
Your male or female body will have different strengths and weaknesses.

How you hold yourself may be affected by how you were raised, such as if you were taught to sit with good posture or slouch all the time.

The male and female anatomy are similar but not the same. Men use more of their upper bodies in yoga poses, while women use more of their lower bodies when doing yoga poses.

Differences Do Not Mean That You Cannot Do Yoga

There are, however, some differences between male and female bodies that you may want to consider when choosing a yoga style.

If you have a cardiac problem or excessive blood pressure, for instance, Bikram Yoga (a series of poses performed in a hot room) can be too intense.

The same could be said for Vinyasa Flow (a fast-paced, athletic style). On the other hand, Yin Yoga (an easy-going practice that focuses on stretching) might be better suited for you as it places less stress on the body than other classes.

Like any physical endeavor, it’s important to listen to your body and modify poses accordingly if they feel uncomfortable or painful.

It’s crucial to practice yoga without exerting too much pressure on yourself—try taking small breaks as needed throughout the class so that you can always stay focused without getting too tired or overheated.

Anyone Can Benefit From Practicing Yoga

A man with white top doing yoga — Anyone Can Benefit From Practicing Yoga

Yoga is for everyone and anyone. Although it may be more frequent to see women practicing yoga, guys can still benefit from it. Many men are beginning to do yoga because of its numerous health benefits and how it improves their quality of life.

Practicing yoga can help you improve your emotional and physical health in many ways. It reduces stress levels and helps you relax your mind while also strengthening your body at the same time.

Additionally, if you practice regularly, you may notice improvements in how well you sleep at night and an increase in energy throughout the day!

The Size Of Your Body Does Matter

The size of your body does matter, and it is crucial to keep this in mind. You may need to modify your yoga routine if you are a larger person. If you are smaller than average, then it is likely that you will also need to make some adjustments.

Even if you are taller than average (which can vary depending on who is measuring), this can be an issue for those tall and thin or short and stocky.

If the above applies to you, the most important thing for beginners is to find a teacher who knows how best to teach in their class setting.

Once that has been determined and confirmed later by trial classes at various studios around town, it’s up to each student as far as whether they choose any other modifications based on their own experiences.

You Cannot Change The Way Your Body Works

Your body is a machine. You cannot change how it works but you can change how you react. How your body functions are beyond your control, but you can choose how to use it and think about it.

You can also choose how to feel about yourself and your physical form—and ultimately, this will affect how you live with what nature has given you.

Benefits Of Yoga For Men And Women

A man in black top doing yoga in a studio — Benefits Of Yoga For Men And Women

You should do yoga if you want to: Improve your health and well-being. Yoga is a way to improve your overall health and well-being by teaching you how to breathe properly and use the muscles in your body effectively.

Many people get good results from yoga because it improves their posture, strength, balance, flexibility, range of motion and resilience.

Feel better in your body. At the same time, some people might feel like they have never really felt comfortable being inside their skin before they start practicing yoga regularly.

It can help them find new ways of moving through the world both physically and mentally so that they feel better about themselves when doing tasks such as walking up stairs or sitting down on chairs without having back pain afterward (which happens sometimes).

What Types of Routine Do Men Practice Compared With Women?

There are many differences between the yoga classes men and women attend. This is because men and women have different goals when practicing yoga.

Men tend to focus on strength, while women tend to focus on flexibility and balance. There are also different styles of yoga for males and females.

For instance: men often practice more vigorous forms of hot yoga such as Bikram Yoga or Ashtanga Vinyasa, whereas women tend toward gentle Iyengar style poses which help them with their breathing techniques.

Is It Difficult to Practise Yoga If You Are A Male?

Men and women have different bodies, and this is no mystery, but what does this mean for our yoga practice? Some of the key differences between the sexes include:

Men are generally taller than women. We all know this to be true!
Men have a higher center of gravity than women, which means they are more likely to topple over in standing poses like Warrior I (Virabhadrasana I). Compared to female practitioners, their center of gravity is closer to their feet (which tend to be shorter).
Due to the size of their pelvic girdle, male yogis often find it difficult to balance in standing forward bends such as Standing Forward Bend (Uttanasana), which require an open hip angle.

Conclusion

Overall, yoga is pretty much the same for both males and females. However, there are some key differences that each gender should be aware of.

For instance, men tend to have more upper body strength than women, so they may want to focus on poses that require less arm strength. On the other hand, women may want to focus on poses that help them build core strength.

So, whether you’re a man or a woman, yoga can benefit you in many ways. Just be sure to tailor your practice to your own unique needs and abilities.

And if you’re looking for more information on how to do this, check out our other articles on the subject. We’ve got tons of great tips and advice for both beginner and experienced yogis.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do men and women benefit from yoga in the same way?

Yes, both men and women can benefit from practicing yoga. However, as we mentioned before, each gender may want to focus on different types of poses depending on their individual needs and abilities.

How do hormonal differences impact how men and women experience yoga?

Men and women may experience yoga in various ways because of their differing hormone levels. For example, some poses may be more challenging for women during their menstrual cycle due to the increased flexibility of their joints.

What are some common challenges that men and women face when practicing yoga?

One common challenge men and women face when practicing yoga is over stretching. This can occur when people try to force themselves into a pose that their body is not ready for. As a result, it’s important to listen to your body and only go as far as you feel comfortable.

What types of yoga do you recommend for people who want to start a routine?

If you’re new to yoga, we recommend starting with a beginner-friendly class or program. That way, you can learn the basics and get a feel for yoga before moving on to more advanced poses and techniques.

My name is Mugen Seki, and I’m a painter and yoga enthusiast who is passionate about bringing together art and exercise in ways that help people connect with their inner selves. When I’m not painting, I’m practicing yoga. And when I’m not doing either of those things, I’m usually thinking about them.