The idea behind this post was to shift to focus to what I see a lot of men struggling with in my classes - tight hips, shoulders, and chest. But don't let that fool you - plenty of women (myself included) can benefit from these poses.
First up we've got camel pose. The full version (on the right) is pretty advanced, so if the flexibility isn't quite there yet in the shoulders, hip flexors and chest, just do what Greg is doing on the left. Don't worry about how far you get back - as long as you feel it, your body is working and thus, progressing.
Pin it! Yoga tips for men (or anyone with tight hips/chest/shoulders). Click to enlarge.
Next up is bridge pose, which is a good prep for backbends. It also is a sure bet if you're looking to gain flexibility in the hips, shoulders and chest area. Generally, men (and anyone who is tight in these areas) should focus on lifting the hips and chest, and pressing the hands down.
Pin it! Yoga pose tips for men (and anyone who wants to gain flexibility in the hips, chest and shoulders). Click to enlarge.
Low lunge is a personal favorite after a long run. It's a nice total body stretch and there are variations for everybody no matter their flexibility. Guys, if it's too much on the shoulders to lift the arms, bring the hands in front of the chest instead. Focus on pressing the hips forward, while magnetizing the feet to create a lift in the pelvic floor.
What poses do you find most reveal your limited flexibility? For me it's splits- WOOF!
PS- More 4 common yoga mistakes I see men making (and how to fix them).