Question on Yoga/Pilates (srs) (male) (Instructor preferred)

[DriftS30Z]

I got nothing but trolls in the regular misc, so I'm coming here for an answer. I've been steadily losing flexibility as I've started adding more muscle. Currently around the 194lb marker, and about a month ago I lost the ability to do front squats. My arms will simply not bend in that direction anymore. My gym offers yoga and pilates classes, and there's a Hot Yoga studio not far from my house.

My question is, will regularly attending any of these classes help me regain my flexibility, or is that simply not an option. I don't plan on going much further than where I currently am in terms of weight, and would actually be willing to lose some muscle in favor of flexibility if that ends up being a necessity.

I'd appreciate any responses from anyone with experience in the matter. I know someone here has to be an instructor as well. I know that men do yoga/pilates, but everyone that I know has only done it as a therapy for some mess of injuries.

[DaniGrrl]

Well, I'm not an instructor so I don't know if this is what you're looking for but I love yoga and love to do it as a supplement to my lifting and other workouts. I love the stretched out feeling I have afterwards. Plus it's a great workout and can really kick your ass. I try to do it once a week but sometimes I'm consistent about it and others not as much, but I do think it will help with your flexibility.

[Mindi912]

Yoga is an excellent option for you right now and I would start before it gets any worse. Losing flexibility will only came back and bite you in the arse in later years.

[seanb1979]

I've always wondered, does BO run rampant in hot yoga classes? I've heard its well over 100 degrees in them.

[DriftS30Z]

Yoga is an excellent option for you right now and I would start before it gets any worse. Losing flexibility will only came back and bite you in the arse in later years.
If I'm going for yoga, I definitely have to sign up at a local studio. I checked the schedule at the gym today, and it's only once a week, which is weird considering the frequency of everything else there. Willing to dish out the cash, I can't imagine it being that expensive, but wtf is pilates? Totally unrelated in terms of benefits? People always mention yoga and pilates together when the subject comes up.

I've always wondered, does BO run rampant in hot yoga classes? I've heard its well over 100 degrees in them.
It's a little under 110 degrees IIRC. I doubt it smells, unless someone didn't bother showering before going.

[BigD_SEVA]

as someone who does yoga atleast once a week i highly suggest it to maintain flexibility

also helps with recovery

[kaydubz]

I've always wondered, does BO run rampant in hot yoga classes? I've heard its well over 100 degrees in them.

honestly, it kind of does. I wouldnt go as far to say it stinks of BO. But it deff has a different smell then a regular yoga class that is not in a heated room. I can clearly smell the difference when i'm in hot yoga as opposed to not hot yoga.

to answer OP, yoga does wonders for flexibility. I did yoga all the time from 14-16, was very flexible. stopped till around 20, now i'm slowly getting back to where i was when i was younger. SLOWLY, but yes, you will get more flexible with regular practice.

[lexinak]

I got nothing but trolls in the regular misc, so I'm coming here for an answer. I've been steadily losing flexibility as I've started adding more muscle. Currently around the 194lb marker, and about a month ago I lost the ability to do front squats. My arms will simply not bend in that direction anymore. My gym offers yoga and pilates classes, and there's a Hot Yoga studio not far from my house.

My question is, will regularly attending any of these classes help me regain my flexibility, or is that simply not an option. I don't plan on going much further than where I currently am in terms of weight, and would actually be willing to lose some muscle in favor of flexibility if that ends up being a necessity.

I'd appreciate any responses from anyone with experience in the matter. I know someone here has to be an instructor as well. I know that men do yoga/pilates, but everyone that I know has only done it as a therapy for some mess of injuries.

I am a yoga instructor. Yes, I can assure you without a doubt that you will gain flexibility through practicing yoga.

ETA: Pilates is another form of mind-body fitness but it is not even slightly related to yoga. Think of yoga as static positions and Pilates as dynamic bodyweight exercises. Hot yoga generally does not stink of BO; simply sweating does not make you smell bad, but rather the bacteria that are attracted by that sweat and they don't seem to thrive in a 105-degree room.

[gwnorth]

From one inflexible person to another, if you've truly become that muscle bound, you might want to consider working with a physical/athletic therapist or even (I shudder to say) a chiropractor. Yoga can certainly help, no doubt about it, but it sounds like you might benefit from some more intensive stretching that you would get from a professional who deals with muscle imbalances. I've been working with my trainer on this as I'm pretty tight and I'm trying to improve my squats and deadlifts. He can stretch me far more effectively than I can myself and he can directly target my fascia (connective tissue between the muscles).

[norinicole]

I agree with the posters above.

Also, if you're looking at hot yoga, I would suggest Moksha (Bikram is the other hot yoga that I know of). The Moksha studio in our city also offers a "Yin" class, which focuses solely on the pelvic area, and stretches are held anywhere from 2-5 minutes. I've done the class a few times and it's been wonderful. Especially if you find that your squats/deads are being affected by tight hip flexors, or if you've got back pain that might be originating from tight glutes. There is definitely a "unique" smell with a hot yoga class, but it's never bad enough to make me not want to go again.

I'd also recommend going to a chiropractor to get some active release done as well. If you're starting to have some issues with your shoulders, it may be a good idea to get the built up tension worked on.

[GloryField]

i have horrible flexibility in that i can't touch my hands behind my back (1 arm from above shoulder, other arm from waist). I also can't raise my arms when I clasp my hands behind my back, it stays at my butt, i can't raise arms without un-clasping.

Would yoga help? rest of my body is fairly flexible.

[gwnorth]

My experience of yoga has dealt more with lower body and core flexibility than with upper body, but I've never done a traditional yoga class. More like a yoga "inspired" class.

[IcyFire]

i have horrible flexibility in that i can't touch my hands behind my back (1 arm from above shoulder, other arm from waist). I also can't raise my arms when I clasp my hands behind my back, it stays at my butt, i can't raise arms without un-clasping.

Would yoga help? rest of my body is fairly flexible.

I'd definitely recommend yoga for this. My boyfriend grew huge in a short amount of time and his flexibility disappeared and he had problems similar to yours. He's picked up hot yoga (Bikram's style) and since then has gotten way better. I started practicing a few months ago and it's my favourite way to loosen up when I'm tight from lifting.

A couple of people mentioned the smell. I've heard some complaints that some studios smell (apparently a few have carpeted floors??! not sure why if people are sweating buckets all over the place), but the one I go to doesn't. A lot of places have intro deals for people wanting to check it out, you don't have much to lose.

[blackpisces87]

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10/10

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