Pilates and yoga is not just for women. Men and women alike need to exercise for good health. Both will have almost identical beneficial responses from exercise. The benefits of Pilates and yoga exercise are well known, so why are the classes primarily female dominant? Guys, all the benefits that Pilates and yoga offers – stress free posture, efficient body awareness and articulation, greater quality of movement, and overall improved body strength and toning – are yours to have. If you want to hit the golf ball longer and more consistently, Pilates and yoga can help. If you want to improve your running, cycling, tennis, soccer, rugby and hockey game, then Pilates and yoga needs to be a part of your schedule. If you simply want to start and finish your day pain free, landscape your yard or paint the cabin, Pilates and yoga should be an essential part of your week. But hey, don’t believe me – a teacher and firm believer in the movements, listen to those who are candid beneficiaries of Pilates and yoga movements.

Meet three great men:

1. Louis Drummond
Age: 38

Occupation: busy downtown restaurant owner and manager

Lifestyle: happily married 12 years, 2 kids, 8-year-old girls' soccer coach, loves to ski, golf and drink beer.

2. Doug Janzen
Age: 55

Occupation: very busy mechanical contractor and business man

Lifestyle: happily married 27 years, 2 grown kids in university, loves to ski, golf and get things done.

3. Glen Blake

Age: 50

Occupation: Shaw TV technician and business owner
Lifestyle: single, loves to golf, work outside and takes life as it comes.

Q. What made you decide to take a class?

A.

Louis – “My wife told me it would help my back and help me to relax.”

Doug – “A friend took it and told me that it was good core training and I knew that the core is involved in everything.”

Glen – “My chiropractor suggested that I try yoga for my back pain. I had back pain for 20 years, saw the chiropractor every week and massage 1x/mo for 2 years.”


Q. How did you feel stepping into your first class?

A.

Louis – “A little uncomfortable. I thought that I’d be the only guy, but I wasn’t. Also, I wasn’t sure that I could do it, but I was at the point where I’d try anything. I also didn’t want any mysticism.”

Doug – “I just thought that I’d give it a chance. If I didn’t like it I’d move onto something else.”

Glen – “Kind of nervous and awkward. I didn’t know what to expect and I felt kind of weird being with all women.”

Q. How did you feel at the end of the class?

A.

Louis – “I really liked that I could choose how far I wanted to take each pose. I felt like I had a really good workout and my body didn’t hurt the next day.”

Doug – “I felt really good after the class. I liked it so much that I’ve been doing for 2 years now.”

Glen – “I really liked that it wasn’t spiritual. I felt totally comfortable and really happy that I made the decision to finally come.”

Q. How has it helped you?

A.

Louis – “I am so much more flexible than I was at any other time in my life. I feel like I have abs. My golf game has hugely improved and I skied for the first time in years and it didn’t hurt.”

Doug – “I have way better balance. I really noticed it over the bumps skiing and with my golf swing.”

Glen – “No sore back! I’ve learned how to be body aware so that I am able to address improper postural habits by activating the core muscles. Overall it has become a positive lifestyle change in that I feel hopeful and confident that I’ll be healthy for the rest of my life.”

Wow, powerful testimonies! As I did this little interview amongst my clients, there were many more men that were more than willing to express their appreciation for the benefits they are experiencing with Pilates and yoga. So gentlemen, if you have not tried a Pilates or yoga class yet, take it from Louis, Doug and Glen – "try it, you’ll be thankful you did".