Bromance at men’s yoga class

When YoGuy Men’s Yoga founder and instructor Stacey Reeves started his men’s only yoga program in 2011, he had two things in mind: getting more guys to feel comfortable in a sport dominated by women and helping men to meet others in their own community.

Located at 686 West Broadway, the studio at Treloar Physiotherapy Clinic hosts YoGuy Men’s Yoga for free every Sunday between 10:30 and 11:30 a.m., allowing men who might otherwise never practice yoga to give it a try.

“The whole idea was to get people to come out and see if this is something they’d want to try,” described Reeves, who went on to explain the positive social aspects his classes present to participants.

Opportunity for men to connect with friends

” It seems men lose their circle of friends more so than women. When you’re 20, you still have quite a fairly  large social circle left over from probably high school. But as you get older, you get mortgages, you get married, you get responsibilities. You’ll often lose your circle of friends. [This class] is really no different than a baseball practice [or] a hockey practice,” said Reeves.

Yoga as a form of relief from pain

Many of those who attend the weekly sessions are seeking relief from various chronic pain issues and having that support of other guys in similar circumstances can help to make a difference. Reeves said men are more comfortable practicing yoga among other guys and once they have gone to a few classes, often create bonds with one another in classes that averages 10 to 15 participants.

“I think that’s fine, yoga classes with all men. Maybe it’s a testosterone thing . . . all women yoga classes . . . I think that’s fine too,” said Langara student Devin Braunagel.

“It may make them feel more comfortable. There are lots of women’s only yoga classes,” said student Victoria Mykietyn.

Reported by Christopher Slater