Tai Chi or Yoga for Men

HuntingDrog

I'm a 32 year old male who's put on way too much weight over the last 2 years. I'm 5 ft 7'' and weigh 14.5 stone.

Was always fit and used to play gaelic football at a high level. Completed the Paris marathon in 2002 and trained seriously for it. Did it in 3.36.

Healthwise, I let things slip as I built a house, completed final exams and had kids but now i'm motivated again to get back into things and start running again with a view to doing a marathon/duathlon in May 09.

I've started a running program "couch to 5k" which will get me to Christmas and my motivation is good and its still on - I know 5k sounds poor to most of you guys but i have to take baby steps for the moment. I've been fit enough to realise that it takes a long time to condition the body and rushing into it will put a strain on it.

Anyway, heres where i need you're help - My muscles are pretty tight and stiff after years of inactivity. I was thinking of doing tai chi or yoga to help me. So
1 - Is tai chi or yoga classes a bit "gay" for men?
2 - Anybody know of any such classes in the Drogheda area where i won't be in the minority, as a man (don't want to be the only fella in the class)?

tks for ur advice

yomchi

Firstly, neither are viewed on as 'gay' for men. But they are two very different subjects.
Tai Chi is a Chinese martial art which is classed as a soft style and works on slow movements, working with the breath and 'chi' or the bodies energy. It can be good for posture and over all well being - if chi qung is part of the training.

Yoga is an Indian meditative system of postures, which include very deep stretching and relaxation techniques, there are different variations from Hatha to Ashtanga, Hatha is a more relaxed version, Ashtanga can be very physical.

Jon

rubadub

Nothing wrong with it, but at 5'7'' and 14.5stone I would want to be doing something more active and to increase fat burning. I would personally do weights, but you might be better running since you enjoy it.

Saw a program on discovery yesterday "how its made", showing the asics factory in japan, very interesting and really put me off running for good! I already do not run but when they started quoting equivalent forces you put your legs through in a marathon etc it was shocking, it was also shocking the amount of manufacturing that goes into decent runners.

yomchi

More active?
Try this for more active... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hu9Sq1RvuoA

low intensity cardio FTW

HuntingDrog

ok-shouldn't have used the "G" word - I honestly didn't mean it like that anyway.

That guy up on the mountain looks some serious dude.

However, i neither have the time or the bank balance to head out to Nepal to try that. Is there anybody out there that knows about yoga or tai chi classes around the Drogheda area, where i won't be the only fella there?

davyjose

I'd rather be in a room full of women, than a room full of sweaty blokes. :pac:

Seriously though, just pop along to the nearest class; you'll be surprised how little it matters if you are the only bloke (which you probably won't be) Don't stop yourself from doing something you want to do, that's good for you, just because of a false perception you have that you don't belong, or you won't fit in.

I've gone to yoga once or twice and there's nothing soft about it. I was wrecked afterwards. With work, college, gym and the socialising I couldn't make it a regular habit, but I will go back. It's a hell of a workout, and took me all of 2 minutes to forget my self-consciousness the first time I went.

yomchi

Davy is right, it's a hell of a work out. You won't sweat as much in Tai Chi.

HuntingDrog

oh so Tai Chi is alot more physically exerting?

yomchi

From my experience, Yoga is a lot more physically exerting. You can compare it to this Tai Chi long form. I have been taught this in the past and although it is tough on the quads maintaining the low postures, I found Yoga to be more demanding.

The two videos's are only examples though, there are tougher elements of both bot shown.

HuntingDrog

sound man - tks Jon

yomchi

no probs, best of luck

ps i forgot to add in that Tai Chi link - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBvF6r6DOvc

ali.c

I really wouldnt worry about it- I have been to quiet a few yoga classes and mostly there was at least one guy there. IMHO you should give it a try sure if you dont like it dont go back- no harm in trying it out