Doing Yoga as a Couple

Where we get our pre-set notions from is one thing, trying to shed them is a totally different ball game! Men generally prefer high activity workouts at a gym or just plain running to yoga which is too 'soft' for them. However, it has been noticed that men who do yoga  as a  couple (with their partners) somehow change to become responsive partners.

Yoga Benefits for Partners

Here are some known facts about yoga and its benefits, when especially done with your partner:

• It boosts energy levels: Although yoga is made out to be a passive form of exercise and stretching, it is a known fact that it works up the heartbeat and oxygen levels because of all that deep breathing that comes with yoga.

• It reduces stress: The stretching in yoga helps the body muscles to relax. This in turn sends signals to the brain and allows total relaxation of mind and body. So when you are feeling down and out, don't fret. Do some yoga, with your partner, and you will see the difference in both of you. This will set the mood for better ways to relate to each other at all times.

• Be in the Present: Yoga encourages you to stay in the present moment. It helps you focus and improve your concentration and awareness of yourself. By doing these strict breathing and stretching movements, you will learn to control your body, thoughts and emotions. This eventually helps you to add sensitivity to your list of positive attributes.

• Yoga heightens body awareness: Because yoga asks you to stretch and bend and twist in specific challenging poses, this helps you to understand how each part of your body moves and works. This way you learn to become more aware of what your body, and eventually, your mind can do.

• Increases your flexibility and control: Certain yoga stretches like hip openers, allow a wide range of motion, resulting in better blood circulation and oxygen distribution in the body. This is great, in comparison to spending several hours of the day in your car seat or office chair.

• Improves your body image: It is very important to feel good about yourself. This involves having good health in all areas of your life. By doing yoga with your partner regularly, you will become intimate with your own and each other's bodies. In combination with staying in the present, you will also learn to appreciate your body the way it is today and not wish for how it was when you were younger and so on. Finally, because of the yoga exercise you will look better and that will also enhance your self-image.

• It sets the mood for intimacy with your partner: Many yoga masters recommend that you use soft lighting and candles when you do yoga with your partner. These create a calming, de-stressing ambience to start with. Then as you go along with the stretches and the partner poses where you have to assist each other, use this time to relax and even get playful. It definitely sets the tone for more intimacy.

So if you haven't already started yoga, here's one good reason to do so and rope in your partner as well. Men will find the above mentioned benefits quite exciting and different from what they normally get out of the gym. Why not be a little adventurous and try it out?