Is Yoga a gendered practice?

Many would say “Yes, it is for women”.

And it isn’t difficult to see why one would feel that way. Step into any Yoga studio these days, and you will see women outnumbering the men by at least FOUR times. With the exception of yoga styles such as Power Yoga which has been marketed as a total body workout, most yoga classes are predominantly attended by females.

However, Yoga began very much as a masculine practice. Gurus would verbally transmit mantras, traditions, asanas and each asana’s history and benefits etc, to their students. And the lineage was one which consisted only of males. It was only after the year 1005, with the advent of Tantra Yoga, that women started being allowed to practice Yoga. Prior to that, they had no access whatsoever to Yoga of any form!

Over time, Yoga was spread to the West, and (pardon my lightning speed fast forwarding to this day and age…) it is now a practice which holds more women, than mine!

So, to answer my question “Is Yoga a gendered practice?”

I would be lying if I said ‘no’. It certainly IS a gendered practice. Right from its genesis some 5000 years ago, right down to this day and age. What started as a masculine practice, is now seen as feminine. But who knows what might happen in the next 5000 years? And seriously, who will be around to care?

I say, just roll out your mat, and get in touch with your breath, your body, and your inner self. Whether you’re a man, woman, or someone in between, Yoga accepts you, JUST THE WAY YOU ARE

So let’s screw all that talk about gender. In nirvana, we all exist as sexless entities anyway! And yogis believe that one of the ways to achieve Samadhi is….? Yoga!