Manly yoga
Yoga significantly improves both the physical and mental well-being of the body. It helps alleviate many ailments, allows us to better understand our bodies, and promotes calm and relaxation. It's commonly assumed that yoga is exclusively for women, yet many renowned yogis are men. It's a practice that offers numerous benefits for both sexes. Perhaps it's worth practicing together? 
Strength training
In India, where yoga originated, it was a practice reserved exclusively for men dedicated to spiritual development. Yogis used asanas as an auxiliary practice, subordinate to other practices such as pranayama – the practice of breathing – or dharana – the practice of mental concentration. Physical exercise served to maintain the body in good health and well-being. In India, it was not until the early 20th century that asanas began to gain importance, becoming the distinct form of physical culture we know today. The work of Swami Kuvalayananda and Sri Yogendra, as well as the Western-renowned T. Krishnamacharya, brought about the understanding of asanas as a form of physical culture and therapy. Yogis combined hatha yoga and Western gymnastics with naturopathy (an alternative medicine practice promoting natural healing methods), or – in the case of T. Krishnamacharya – with strength training. Their methods have largely influenced modern yoga, which prioritizes physical and mental health. Although women are primarily interested in the practice in Europe, each year more and more men are recognizing the benefits of regular yoga practice.
A way to supplement your training
Yoga focuses on the harmonious development of the entire body and can therefore be an excellent complement to gym workouts. Weight training often leads to a reduced range of motion in joints, which is why stretching is so important, which is often overlooked by men. Practicing asanas helps tone the body and increase its flexibility. A yoga block provides solid support for relaxation. It allows you to deepen your practice and modify asanas to achieve ease. Regular sessions also help to loosen problem areas, such as stiff shoulders or stiff hips. A wooden yoga block with rounded edges helps build body confidence, which motivates you to continue practicing.
It's also worth using some yoga elements as a warm-up before training. Many poses utilize isometric contractions, which perfectly prepare the muscles for further weightlifting. Furthermore, they greatly enhance body awareness and improve the quality of movements.
Yoga as medicine
Due to a sedentary lifestyle and lack of physical activity, more and more young people are starting to complain of lower back pain related to long hours spent working at a desk. Regular yoga practice effectively alleviates ailments such as sciatica, lumbar hernias, and disc herniations. Exercise also improves blood flow and reduces muscle tension, thus helping to prevent prostate enlargement and related complications. A hectic lifestyle, stress, and an unhealthy diet often lead to heart problems, and because yoga has a calming effect, reduces nervous tension, and restores normal breathing, it effectively prevents heart attacks, lowers blood pressure, and lowers cholesterol levels. All you need is the right yoga mat and comfortable clothing to take care of your health.
Asanas – which ones to choose?
A simple yet incredibly effective pose that forms the foundation of all others is Mountain Pose (Tadasana), which develops and restores flexibility in the feet, strengthens the calves, thighs, and core. Tree Pose (Vrksasana) improves balance and concentration, and stretches the inner thighs and groin. A deep forward bend (Uttanasana) can calm your mind while simultaneously stretching all the muscles along the spine. Warrior Pose I (Virabhadrasana) stretches and strengthens the ankles, calves, and thighs, as well as the chest, providing space for the lungs. Adho Mukha Svanasana, or Downward-Facing Dog, also offers many benefits, relieving back pain, aiding digestion, and regenerating the nervous system. Experience the benefits of yoga for yourself—just a few minutes a day is enough to feel the difference.