by Salvador Deville

Created on: January 22, 2009

One day my fiance convinced me to go with her to a yoga class at our local gym, and ever since I haven't really looked back. As a physically active aging male, I have realized how important it is to stretch your muscles before partaking in any strenuous activity. Recently I have been getting back in the Martial Arts and my body was paying the toll. Luckily I went with my fiance that day, because now my body is much healthier and doesn't hurt so much.

One day after sparring with my brother in Ju-Jitsu, he was amazed at how difficult it was and that he couldn't get me to submit. I then told him about how going to Yoga once a week has helped me to become very flexible and as a result I could withstand much more pain during a fight. Well, his classic response was: "What's the hardest part about Yoga." And just as I was think of something to give him as an answer, he told me: "telling your parents you're gay." I laughed off his joke because he is just insecure with his masculinity and I can still kick his ass anyway.

Before I started Yoga I thought it was just a bunch of namby-pamby stretching, but after going once a week for a couple of month I realize that it is really just that; except for the results. Just because my view of something has changed, doesn't mean that other's view have also. But the results don't lie. I have lost a bunch of weight and my clothes are beginning to hang off me. The stretching and positions that you go through are often physically challenging and cause you to sweat. It is not something that I would do to replace physical activity, but something I would definitely recommend adding to your routine.

After a long week of bodily stress, it is good to unwind with a bit of Yoga. My body now hurts more when I haven't properly stretched and it feels so much better during the week when I do. I have more energy and agility and am overall feeling more healthy; and the bedroom activities with my soon to be wife have put a larger smile on her face than normal regardless of what you might think and without going into detail, chicks digit when you have an extra inch of flexibility (insert mental image here). Like anything in life, it can be difficult to try something new especially those with stigmas. But try out yoga, and if you don't mind it too much, try it out some more and see if you really like it. Yoga is not for everyone, but it certainly has a lot of health-benefits and can be a good addition to any workout routine.

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