Our Yoga Instructor. Elise, gets it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She’s from a Western New York blue collar family. Her dad is a pipe fitter. When it comes to helping “normal” people appreciate the benefits of yoga, she’s a bridge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Just start moving. The rest will come.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I used to be semi-flexible 10 years ago when I did Taekwondo. Over the years, the joints stiffened up and the muscles ached. I exercise regularly, but warm-ups were painful. Takes a while to get going.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That was before Yoga.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
I started back with Yoga to loosen up. I could really tell I was tightening up all over. Bending over in the shower was met with grunts and groans. I treat Yoga like an advanced stretching class. (BTW, stretching muscles properly involves strengthening them – strengthen then lengthen.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The more I practiced Yoga, the more I realized that there’s a lot to it. I think this is where people particularly men, get confused. Us regular guys might be turned away when benefits like awareness, consciousness, breath control, and meditation are mentioned. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I just want to stretch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Perception has turned Yoga into something almost mystical – something very popular and cool today with certain latte drinking Millennials. Truth is, it’s been around about 5000 years so it doesn’t really fall into the fad category.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So why isn’t Yoga popular with guys? (Nationwide, women outnumber men 3 to 1. Locally I think it’s like 10 to 1).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are a ton of reasons – many psychological – why there is resistance to Yoga. Herd mentality is the one that comes to mind first. “My buddies don’t do it so I probably don’t need it.” The message is simple – want a better physical life, do Yoga – but changing the way people think? Look at politics today. Ain’t going to happen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My brother-in-law started Yoga last year when he was 65 years old. Loves it. What changed his mind? He actually TRIED IT. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n So here’s the water trough. A great Yoga class with the best instructor anyone could ask for. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Great opportunity to get fit and flexible and enjoy your retirement as a young man. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Ron<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Our Yoga Instructor. Elise, gets it. She’s from a Western New York blue collar family. Her dad is a pipe fitter. When it comes to helping “normal” people appreciate the benefits of yoga, she’s a bridge. “Just start moving. The rest will come.” I used to be semi-flexible 10 years ago when I did Taekwondo. … Continue reading I Want an Active, Productive, and Vital Retirement – That’s Why I Do Yoga.<\/span>