Cape Men's Yoga

Join us this coming Sunday for a class dealing with flexibility. We'll be working particularly with shoulder and hip flexibility - an important aspect of yoga training - both for the body and for the focus of the mind to understand what it is being asked to do and why. We will also be working with the prasarita padottanasana forward bend sequence. This is a classic yoga move that requires strengthn in the legs as well as an ability to lift the navel and perineum to facilitate a deep forward fold. From the forward bend it is also possible to lift up into a headstand; notably into the tripod headstand. This requires that you have some experience already with headstands and sufficiently strong neck muscles. CMY is a voluntary nude men's yoga group in Cape Town, South Africa. It is open to men of all backgrounds, sexual orientations, and levels of yoga experience. The goal is an authentic understanding of your body, mind and spiritual practice. Join us on the mat. 10.30...

Getting it right upside down I am a yoga teacher and a meditator, not a physio, so this is not meant to be a medical introduction. What I have learnt about inversions is that you require preparation, sometimes a really patient approach to strengthening your upper body and improving flexibility. A few years ago I got really caught up with learning to do pincha mayurasana - the forearm balance. I work intensively without really understanding that I did not yet have the shoulder strength or flexibility. I injured my shoulders being in a rush and it tooks months to get them back to normal. I can do pinch comfortably these days - but the message is - slow, steady, grow your capacity and don't be in a rush with inversions. Pincha mayurasana is shown to the left here. Of all the inversions discussed here, pincha is the most stable as you have the full length of your forearm on the floor and you can use your hands and elbows to give you micro-adjustments. Headstands come second as...

Dear Yogis, We have a special class on inversions this Sunday, 31 July 2016. We are in the smaller yoga room, so we can only accommodate 10 guys. So please advise if you wish to attend or sign up on the facebook page. The class will include a warm up and then an introduction to handstands, headstands and forearm stands. These movements require both flexibility and strength in the shoulders and core. They also require some patience and a sense of humour. Guys who think they are going to jump up into a headstand or handstand will likely get injured. We aim for injury free practice so it is a great time to learn how to put your ego aside and build up a steady evolution in your practice that will take you to new positions and experiences. The class is 10.30 until 12.15 at our regular venue in the southern suburbs of Cape Town. This is a fully nude male yoga practice. We have extra mats for drop in visitors, otherwise bring your own mat and a sweat towel. The room will be heated....