Tag Archives: men

Intro to Men’s Yoga – Tuesdays in January

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After a hiatus, Men’s Yoga Corvallis has restarted classes. Days and times have changed with Chair Yoga for Men on Sundays from 4-5pm and the more active Men’s Yoga on Thursdays from 5:30-6:30pm.

But what if you’re new to Yoga, what class should you take?

Well, Men’s Yoga Corvallis is offering a 4 week Intro to Men’s Yoga series in January. We’ll go over the set up of postures, learning the routines, and using props like the chair or blocks to make the exercise enjoyable and attainable. It will be a great way to determine which class is right for you.

So, jump start your new year’s resolutions with Intro to Men’s Yoga on Tuesdays in January from 5:30-6:30pm starting on January 10th. $20 for the 4 week session ($5 a class).

André Alyeska is a Kripalu certified Yoga Instructor, (CYT-200) who has been teaching Men’s Yoga in Corvallis for 10 years. For more info on weekly classes or to pre-register for the January Intro to Men’s Yoga session, please contact André at andre.alyeska@gmail.com

Location: Classes are at the Willamette Wellness Center/Fitness Over Fifty. You don’t have to be a member of FOF to attend classes. Intro to Men’s Yoga $20 for the session. For regular classes, First class is free, drop-ins are $10, and it’s $8 a class with the purchase of a 15 class pass. It’s the best deal in town.

New to Yoga and wondering what to wear? Wear loose comfortable clothing.  I recommend knee length basketball shorts (briefs/not boxers, please) under sweats, and a short sleeve TS under a long sleeve TS. You can peel a layer off as needed. Yoga is pretty much done barefoot.  But I’ve had some guys keep shoes on if they’re got foot problems.  Some guys keep the socks on during the opening meditation.

What gear to bring? Most guys bring their own Yoga mat.  But we’ve got loaners, so don’t feel like you have to go out and buy one right away.  If you like the class, and it’s something you want to make part of your regular routine, you’ll probably want to get your own. We’ve got blocks and chairs.

Reviews can be found at: Facebook, Google, and Yoga Trail.

The studio juts prior to beginning Chair Yoga for Men.

The Return of Men’s Yoga

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The Men’s Yoga Reboot is going well.  We’re getting used to the routines again and shaking off the rust.  We’re still taking it slow and focusing on longer holds.  And most important: no injuries reported! It’s been great to see folks we haven’t seen in a couple of years.

The same classes, but on new days and a new time:

Men’s Chair Yoga is on Sundays from 4pm-5pm. The idea here is to start the week with a gentle recharge, and yet still be home for dinner at a reasonable hour.  It might work better for some guys who are busy mid-week. Please don’t think this is just for seniors! This class is good for guys new to yoga, a little extra in the middle, or recovering from an injury. But even for the experienced practitioner, don’t underestimate this class.

The more active Men’s Yoga is on Thursdays from 5:30pm to 6:30pm.  After the long lay-off, we’re going to be taking it easy as we re-establish this class. I’ve had young men in their teens to gentlemen well into their 70s take this class and do well. We strike a balance between a physical challenge that keeps you interested and relaxation and self-care.

The Cost: Classes are back at the Willamette Wellness Center/Fitness Over Fifty. You don’t have to be a member to attend classes. We’ll honor remaining classes on punch cards purchased before COVID. First class is free, drop-ins are $10, and it’s $8 a class with the purchase of a 15 class multi-class pass. It’s still the best deal in town.

New to Yoga and wondering what to wear? Wear loose comfortable clothing.  I recommend knee length basketball shorts (briefs/not boxers, please) and a short sleeve TS under a long sleeve TS. You can peel a layer off as needed. Yoga is pretty much done barefoot.  But I’ve had some guys keep shoes on if they’re got foot problems.  Some guys keep the socks on during the opening meditation. The picture below is a good illustration of what guys wear.

What gear to bring? Most guys bring their own Yoga mat.  But we’ve got loaners, so don’t feel like you have to go out and buy one right away.  If you like the class, and it’s something you want to make part of your regular routine, you’ll probably want to get your own. We’ve got blocks and chairs.

Reviews can be found at: Facebook, Google, and Yoga Trail.

Any other questions? Please shoot me an email: andre.alyeska@gmail.com

Men's Yoga Corvallis at Fitness Over Fifty.
Men’s Yoga on Thursdays, starting October 20th.

Wednesday 7am Zoom Class

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Two weeks ago we had an Zoom chat Thursday evening. Then we did a trial Zoom class the following Wednesday morning. The short story is that we are going to do the Wednesday morning chair Yoga class, at the usual time, via Zoom while we’re still in lock down.

A longer version, the consensus from the guys who attended the trial class was that it is worth a punch on the card.  And while it was a different experience, it was also nice to see some familiar faces and chat a bit.  And let’s not forget the usual excellent humor.

Class will be in the 40-50 minute range.  We’ll also be opening the room 10-15 minutes before the official start time, and people are welcome to stay afterwards to chat. Please feel free to try it out the first time, on me.

If you are just finding out about the class, please email for details.  You can find my Email address on the side bar to the right.

I was touched by the variety of people who showed up for both the chat and the trial class. John joined us from Portland. I hadn’t seen Ken for over a year. Two guys from Monday’s class tried it out. And, a kid I had worked with years ago, who’s now a young man, found one of the videos I had recorded and reached out to me. He came to the online class. It was really nice to see everyone. I appreciate each and every one of you.

Additionally, some of us have some immune issues that might require maintaining social distancing longer than the general population.  If we do transition to in-person classes in the near future, I am planning to offer a Zoom class at a different time if people would like that.

Please take care of yourself!

Chair Yoga for Men

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You know that old recruiting slogan; “We need a few good men?” Well, we need a few more men for our Wednesday morning Yoga class. And the great thing is… you don’t have to be good, you don’t even have to be flexible. You only have to show up and try and you receive the benefits.

We call the class Chair Yoga for Men. We used to call it Senior Men’s Yoga, but my goal for this class is much more than one demographic. This is a great class for men who are:

  • new to yoga
  • more interested in relaxation or meditative aspects
  • have a little extra in the middle
  • are working through/recovering from an injury
  • would prefer less bravado and spandex than the gym environment

Regulars have reported better sleep, more ease in their bodies, better balance and being able to get down on the floor to play with their grandkids. And then get back up!  First class is free.  So what have you got to loose?

7am on Wednesdays at the Willamette Wellness Center / FOF.

This is a Yoga Pants free zone!

What about screening for osteoporosis in Men?

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Osteoporosis is a condition characterized by a decrease in the density of bone, decreasing its strength and resulting in fragile bones. This can lead to fractures and breaks as we age.

The good news is that weight bearing exercise like Yoga, with focus on alignment and balance, helps maintain bone density and prevents falls. So keep at it!

However, the past emphasis on osteoporosis has been towards women and that “has fostered a sexist view of the bone-weakening disease. That’s harmful to men, whose bones also weaken with age, though later than for women. What’s more, men are twice as likely as women to die within a year of breaking a hip, research shows.”

A change in diet and supplements can help but checking with your primary care doc is probably wise.

Chair Yoga for Men

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Senior Men’s Yoga has moved to a new time; 7am on Wednesdays.  Yes it’s early, and there was some grumbling from the regulars used to the afternoon time.  But, it’s a great way to start the day.  We’re also shifting the focus slightly and rebranding the class as Chair Yoga for Men.

Chair Yoga is a general term that simply means we are modifying poses and exercises to make them more attainable.  Postures are done seated on the chair or the chair is used for support (as needed) during standing and balancing poses. Chair YogaThe chair allows for greater stability to help you feel supported and safe.  Just as important, basic body mechanics of postures are retained no matter the individual’s circumstance.

You don’t have to sit cross legged on the floor to do Yoga!

In addition to a good stretch, chair yoga participants have reported better breathing habits and improved sleep patterns, reduction of stress and more ease in their body.  Chair Yoga for Men is suitable for seniors, people working with an injury and guys with a little extra in the middle.  Beginners are welcome.

Yoga at Fitness Over Fifty does require a Fit Class Pass at an extra cost to members.  But, you do not have to be a member to take the class.  And, first class is free.  Come check out Chair Yoga for Men at the new time.  If you have additional questions, contact André at 541-760-9122 or andre.alyeska@gmail.com.