Mens Yoga
Most of my working life I have been a cog in the wheel of the blue-collar industries of concreting, mining, and serving as an infantrymen in the Australian Army. Leaving school early after barely scraping through, completing an apprenticeship as the iconic ‘Aussie Rat Bag’, I’d go to work, get paid, party, rinse, repeat. Add a family, a mortgage, and bills to this cycle, and the apprentice needed to find a new trade - it quickly became unmanageable with no room for self love or care.
High rates of suicide specifically in male dominated industries such as the defence forces, mining, and construction is not a new phenomenon. With men 3 times more likely to commit suicide we all know the risks are there, and the cost to families and communities devastating.
I have lost countless numbers of friends, family, and workmates to mental ill-health. The remaining mothers, fathers, wives, sons, and daughters who had a laughing son, husband, or father at the barbeque on Friday, find themselves unable to comprehend now planning for their funeral on the Monday.
So how does this relate to Men’s Yoga?
Lets start with a question….What comes to mind when you think of men’s yoga?
Does it excite you, make you nervous, make you cringe, or does it spark your interest?
What if I shared with you the very reason why I am writing this blog? The reason my mental clarity is peaking, the reason I am no longer a slave to depression and anxiety. I am focused, connected, accountable and self loving.
It is not from a fad, trend or modern social construct. Or from achieving unrealistic corporate goals and status. Its from a deep inward journey, that can be practiced wherever you are, at home, work, from five minutes to five hours - yes it is Yoga.
Now lets pump the brakes here for a minute. When I refer to Yoga I am not only referring to the modern practice of Raja Yoga that is commonly taught as an Asana class. I am talking about any of the 4 paths of yoga, Kama, Bhakti, Raja or Gyana and whatever combination you choose to practice.
When I started learning the origins and history of Yoga I found something that blew my mind, I was already practicing this art and I did not know it.
When I do my duty as a father, husband, friend, or community member to my best ability without expectation of praise or a certain outcome, I’m practicing a form of Kama Yoga.
When I commit to learning new things to expand my mind and deepen my knowledge I’m practicing a form of Gyana Yoga.
When I focus on a single thing with all my devotion I’m practicing a form Bhakti Yoga.
When I practice Asana and Meditation alongside a daily discipline schedule I’m balancing my physical and mental state I’m doing a form of Raja Yoga.
As you can see, Raja Yoga was the path that opened my mind to acknowledging the truth and power of change. It gave me the physical and mental health to commit fully to my duties and give back to the community as a Yoga teacher(Kama Yoga). It helped me expand my academic knowledge through study and experience (Gyana Yoga). And gave me something to be devoted to, helping people balance their mental health through Yoga.
So like the millions of men out there struggling with their mental health, I have been there, seen and felt the worst of it, but I’m also proof that there is a long-term answer, but its up to you to make the first move.
So if you have read this thank you, if you, or someone you know that might benefit from this practice you now have a place to take your first steps, or to walk beside them as they take theirs towards a future of greater comfort within.
Peace