Local yoga instructor sees a rise in men embracing yoga classes to improve wellbeing

13 attendees from the yoga taster session in July all signed up for a six-week programme and since September, the instructor sees a rise by getting six other inquiries

Maureen Edgar is holding men’s yoga classes since September due to a few number of men asking her to start yoga sessions for them. These sessions take place every Thursdays from 7 to 8pm at Mackintosh Fitness Centre in Roath.

Edgar is a yoga instructor who saw a rise in men embracing yoga classes since September.

She shared that they are on their second term and two new people have joined, and has gotten six other inquiries.

“13 out of 14 of them that came to the taster session all signed up for a whole six-week programme.” Edgar said.

“I was a bit apprehensive about just doing men’s yoga classes because men are sometimes seen as aggressors.” Edgar said.

The yoga instructor said she had a taster session in July because a few gentlemen over 55 approached her and said they really wanted to try yoga for their health and well-being.

The instructor shared: “There is a degree of social anxiety which I think the yoga class meets that need.”

When it comes to benefiting from men yoga classes, Edgar said it helped the attendees combat loneliness, social isolation, anxiety and depression which is really hidden within men.

Geoff Renyolds, one of the attendees of yoga classes said: “I think a men-only group can support each other in exercising. No one has to be macho.”

According to the Office for National Statistics, The suicide rate for males in England and Wales increased to 17.4 per 100,000 in 2023, up from 16.4 in 2022. It is the highest rate for males since 1999.

There is a degree of social anxiety which I think the yoga class meets that need

Talking about men making friends, “They like the social interaction that has happened because of this group.” Edgar said.

Edgar said she is delighted that everybody who has come to her yoga classes, they have come not to be a macho but to improve their health and well-being.