Once upon a time, when you spoke to men about yoga, they almost immediately had images of Lululemon-clad women chanting verses of Sanskrit while bending their bodies into impossible positions.

For the hockey-playing, football-watching, sports-obsessed man, the practice of yoga was about as appealing as watching an old english romance movie.

However, times — and old-standing stereotypes — have changed thanks, in part, to the evolution of male-specific sport versus female-specific sport. More women are tackling the football field while more men are doing the downward dog.

Yoga has become the new cross-training for men looking to increase their flexibility and improve their muscle conditioning so the next time they hit the field or the rink, their bodies will bend into nearly impossible positions — willingly.

Here are 7 Reasons Why You Need To Join our New Vitality Fitness Yoga 101 classes starting early January 2010.

1. Yoga works the entire body In sports such as hockey, tennis or football, you tend to utilize only 10 to 15 per cent of the body, whereas yoga provides a workout that covers every muscle, joint and organ.

2. Yoga has benefits in the bedroom Eagle Pose, is a posture that sends fresh blood and oxygen to the sexual organs, so this is a particularly beneficial exercise for men in revitalizing their bedroom prowess!

3. Yoga works for every size It does not matter how you look when you practice yoga. Whether you’re a 250-pound linebacker or a 150-pound triathlete, yoga will push your personal boundaries by increasing your own flexibility, endurance and muscle strength.

4. Yoga decreases muscle soreness When muscles are fatigued, they build with lactic acid, and yoga, which stretches and releases tension, helps flush that away.

5. Yoga restores energy levels Yoga practice doesn’t deplete your body of all of your energy after a class. Instead, it actually increases your vigor, making you feel more aware and revitalized.

6. Yoga trains your focus Athletes like Wayne Gretzky, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and John McEnroe have heightened their performance levels through practicing yoga. Traditionally, men have a more difficult time clearing their mind than women, although, once they do let go, their focus on the positions — and the difficulty in holding them — improves vastly.

7. Yoga balances the mind After you practice, you feel more grounded, less self-absorbed and calmer. This type of mental clarity really helps in other sports, work or activities you may be involved in.

The New Vitality Fitness Yoga 101 classes are designed for anyone looking to increase their flexibility from the ground up.

Classes will start Thursday, January 14th at 7:00pm
Instructor: Chantalle Asselin http://www.yogawithchantalle.com/
8 week program cards are on sale now for only $110.
Ask for your programs cards today and secure your spot of 12.

Makes a great Christmas present for that inflexible someone we all know.