Men… what’s stopping you from coming to yoga?

Despite yoga’s reputation as a powerful practice for building strength, flexibility, and stilling the mind, men remain noticeably under-represented in studios across the UK. To understand why, I reached out to the local Havant community and asked the question: Men… what’s stopping you from coming to yoga?

The answers were revealing, and highlighted a mix of cultural, social, and perception barriers.

The weight of social expectations

One man explained that his reluctance wasn’t about yoga itself, but the social pressures he associates with stepping into that space. Having grown up in an era with different cultural expectations, he admitted he would feel “out of place” in a class that seems dominated by a particular group. Yet, he also recognised the health benefits of yoga and similar practices, choosing instead to exercise in his own way.

Another person, who has studied masculinity in sport, suggested that yoga simply doesn’t “score enough man points.” In her view, it lacks the branding of strength or toughness that many men are conditioned to seek. Communicating that yoga is also a practice of core strength, muscle control, and resilience, she argued, could help bridge that gap.

Others echoed this, saying they might only consider yoga if they could no longer do their usual sports or training. To them, yoga appeared to be “just stretching” rather than a challenging practice in its own right. This perception leaves many men unaware of yoga’s depth; its demanding physical postures, its focus on balance and control, and its benefits beyond the mat.

Humour and honesty

Several replies were light-hearted but underscored deeper concerns. One man joked that yoga is “too quiet, with no swearing, and blokes don’t look good in leggings.” Another confessed that during his first class he split his shorts — an embarrassing incident that kept him from ever returning.

A few pointed out that men are “renowned for not stretching enough,” and that yoga could actually help them get more out of their regular sports or gym training. One man noted that he doesn’t attend yoga but does stretch every morning and evening, adding that it’s “so noticeable when you see others struggle” because they lack that flexibility.

These anecdotes may raise a smile, but they also reveal a common thread: many men worry about how they will look, whether they’ll “measure up,” or whether yoga is even worth their time compared to other activities.

Perception barriers

A recurring theme in the responses was that yoga simply doesn’t look like it’s meant for men. The advertising and imagery are heavily female-focused, reinforcing the impression that yoga is primarily a women’s activity.

One contributor explained that he likes to attend outdoor community sessions such as Park Yoga — perhaps this is because the larger setting feels less intimidating and less like participants are being watched? Another suggested that a greater presence of male teachers could help change perceptions. After all, many of the world’s most renowned yoga masters are men, yet at a local level the practice is still largely presented as female-dominated.

Several men stressed that yoga is often perceived only as stretching. For some, stretching alone isn’t a persuasive reason to attend. Instead, positioning yoga as a complement to sports and daily life — improving flexibility, balance, and core strength — could shift opinions. As one martial arts instructor put it, he describes it to his students as “fitness for life.”

Cultural habits that linger

Another perspective highlighted generational differences. Older men, he said, often avoided joining female-dominated groups to sidestep possible misunderstandings or judgments. While younger men may not feel this as strongly, the habit of keeping away from such spaces can persist.

That said, not everyone agreed this is an age-related issue. One man in his 60s admitted that he would actively avoid an all-male yoga group, as the likely egos and competitiveness would put him off.

What needs to change?

The responses point to several opportunities to make yoga more inclusive for men:

• Messaging that resonates – advertising should highlight benefits beyond flexibility, such as strength, balance, and long-term resilience.

• Male role models – greater visibility of male teachers and practitioners could normalise yoga as a pursuit for all.

• Reframing yoga – positioning it not as a stand-alone activity, but as something that enhances performance in sports, fitness, and everyday life.

• Inclusive settings – outdoor sessions which often see larger numbers may feel less intimidating.

A closing thought

The men who responded were not dismissive of yoga. On the contrary, many acknowledged its benefits, and some already practice it in outdoor or mixed settings. What holds them back is not the practice itself, but the perception of yoga as a space that isn’t meant for them.

Changing that perception — through inclusivity, visibility, and perhaps even a little humour — could open the door for many more men to step onto the mat. Let’s hope we can start to make some progress towards that.

Thank you to everyone who contributed – your comments were incredibly valuable 🙏

Michelle x