Business men do come to yoga..and continue…I’d never taught yoga for a global corporate, despite teaching yoga in the workplace for many years. So when I was approached last year by such a company, who were keen to address staff well-being by sponsoring a weekly yoga class, I was a little daunted..

Their marketing went like this:

• Feeling mentally overwhelmed?
• Body exhausted?
• Missing out on the here and now?
• Not sleeping well?

I had literally just left (for the final time I hoped) my ‘real’ job (read  – corporate job that pays enough to cover the bills). The thought of going back into an outcome-focussed business environment and teaching the ‘suit’ brigade had me wondering what the Universe was doing to me!

However things are never as they seem..and from a personal desire to influence how men address their stress, here was my opportunity.

It has been incredibly heartening that the main obstacle for staff (there are women too!) being at weekly class is their requirement for work travel. I’ve not heard one of them say it’s because ‘I can’t touch my toes’, however most men have reported that yoga is ‘harder than they thought’.

So I recently asked one of the regular male yogis (a senior executive) if he would share his insights:

Yoga provides a safe environment for a low physical impact/ highly beneficial activity, without having to compete. Moving in ways that are different to my daily activity forces me to concentrate and forget the day-day stuff. I know I am doing something good for my body and mind, and men need to connect with this too! This has become ‘me’ time and I don’t have to go out of my way or plan too much to be there. I have the corporate commitment and that of my colleagues, and the social side certainly influences me.

I just love it when newer students connect with the multifaceted benefits of traditional yoga and the energy of a group commitment. Also the importance of a clear boundary to create space for the Self.

So if you have yoga on offer at work, or your male partner/colleague/family member resonates with their marketing focus, I do encourage you to sign-up!

And I loved his final comment:

Complimentary beer afterwards would be great – too bad we have to drive home!