With the number of yoga centres and classes opening up all around the city, one would expect that men would jump on the yogic bandwagon for the following reasons: to reduce stress; it's the thing to do now, and that there are hordes of women attending these classes. Plus, yoga is supposed to help one attain the best orgasm ever known to mankind.

Unsurprisingly though, yoga is still seen as exercise for women and devout Hindus and Buddhists. Even cultured and liberal Malay men view yoga with great suspect: "All that meditation and breathing - you sure it's not haram?" It's one thing to wine, dine and bed women with pleasure, but it's another thing altogether if an activity might lead one to apostasy.

Yoga vs footie

Most men in the city still prefer manly sports such as football, rugby, cycling and golf. Such activities define them as men, and while salsa is gaining popularity as exercise and a way to pick up women, yoga is a grey area for them.

What is yoga? Simple: the word itself means union. This is one form of exercise whereby the mind and body meet, through asanas (postures) and breathing. Yoga is not about magical feats, such as slipping through a keyhole, levitating off the ground and disappearing into thin air. Yoga is a physical, spiritual and psychological fitness regime that challenges the practitioner.

"Men like to be challenged and they ought to see that yoga can provide them with that," said Vincent Tam of Jiva Yoga Studio. "People tend to get confused as there are many types of yoga, such as Hatha, Kundalini, Sahaja and Ashtanga. What I teach is Vinyasa, and it's strength based. You sweat in my class! The few men that have been brave enough to try my classes have stuck around. They enjoy the poses and the relief that comes after a class."

A lot of men are reluctant to fail in public, and falling off a pose in a perspex walled room at the gym can be humiliating. Perhaps a private yoga class for men only can be held, a beefy young man suggests at a chain of fitness centres that I visit. The main stumbling block is ego.

It's exercise, not a religion

Then there's the question of faith. For many Muslim professionals, yoga is synonymous with an animistic religion, i.e. the Hindu and Buddhist faiths. Others may also find the thought of chanting rather repulsive.

"Yoga is not a religion. It is a science. It did originate from India, but it is not a faith. Yoga is very compatible with Islam, especially zikirs. Actually yoga complements your faith," Tam says. One becomes more focused on his prayers (dzikirs especially): with each breathe, one is able to chant one of the 99 names of God and absorb the goodness of the meaning behind the name.

There are no specific yoga postures for men. Having said that when one examines current lifestyles, men and women suffer chronic stress, tight shoulders, bad backs. A good yoga teacher will look at the individual and depending on their ailments/ problems, specific postures are performed.

"I guess most men would want to know about yoga and whether it can enhance their sexual performance," Vincent laughed, "... there are postures used by both women and men to tone their reproductive organs one being garudasana (eagle pose). In general, postures that focus on loosening up the back and opening the pelvic region will help as it allows blood to flow into the region and freeing up stagnant energy that is blocked."

Yoga can certainly complement existing fitness regimes. Postures concentrating on the back will be excellent for golfers who often injure their backs from swinging a golf club. It can improve sports performances by strengthening related muscles, such as the hamstrings, thighs and biceps. Weight-lifters will find that yoga elongates muscles. A lean and chiseled look is accomplished.

Where does one go for yoga classes in a unisex setting? Gyms such as Fitness First that has branches all over the city offer Power Yoga classes. Tam has his own studio at Plaza Damas. Another place to go would be Tapas Yoga in Bangsar.

Benefits of Yoga

Like other forms of exercise, yoga offers the practitioner quite a number of rewards. What many yogis have found is the mind-body connection that cannot be found in most weight training regimes and cardiovascular exercises. One's breathing is better, and the chest is less constricted, which helps when one is stressed. When oxygen is distributed evenly throughout the body, more stamina is gained.

Regular sessions help correct the spinal column; one looks taller and leaner, and walks with more confidence. It also gives one more endurance to get through the day.

To encourage explosive orgasms and staying power, the breathing exercises as well as pelvic twists such as The Lotus, The Cat pose and Hip Swivel.

One becomes less moody and more positive. Anger is managed better, and negative energies dispelled through time.

And yes, sex is much, much better.

Yoga on the go

Sun salutation - this pose can be done anywhere, anytime, and it flexes all your muscles. Do six rounds everyday and you'll see the benefits. This is one pose that exercises all the major muscle groups of a body.

Yoga gurus on the net

Bryan Kest: www.poweryoga.com
Baron Baptiste: www.baronbaptiste.com
Beryl Bender Birch: www.collagevideo.com

Yoga studios in KL

www.jivastudio.com
www.fitnessfirst.com.my
www.tapasyoga.com