Look for articles on yoga and masculinity and you will be met with endless lists of why yoga is good for men including better focus, better awareness, better flexibility, and better sex. The benefits of yoga can certainly enhance a man’s life, especially if he is in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction. Freedom from addiction takes a holistic approach. Yoga is a holistic practice, effectively exercising and strengthening the body, the mind, and the spirit. Unfortunately a common misconception gets in the way of men unleashing the transformational power of this ancient practice: that yoga is for girls.
TL;DR: Yoga began as a way for men to forge the masculine qualities needed to live with purpose—offing unique benefits for addiction recovery. At our treatment center, we integrate these time-tested principles to support lasting healing and personal growth
Ready to train your body and mind for lasting recovery? We integrate strength-based yoga into our program—designed specifically for men who are rebuilding everything.
Call (503) 850-2474 for a free consultation.
Yoga’s earliest documented origins trace back to the Brahmins. Brahmins were scholars and spiritual authorities in ancient India who practiced discipline, learning, and internal mastery. For them, yoga wasn’t exercise; it was a daily ritual of order and devotion.1 Primarily, Brahmins were men. The yoga sutras, written by Patanjali, are considered to be the first written representations of yoga. Patanjali was a man. When yoga was first brought to the west in the 1800s and 1900s, it was brought to the west by men, men like Swami Sivananda. Swami Paramhansa Yogananda, author of the world famous book Autobiography of a Yogi brought yoga and meditation to the United States in 1920.
Yoga is not an inherently feminine practice. Many might argue that yoga, and its focus on balance as well as union, seeks to create harmony between each individual’s masculine as well as feminine side. Historically, yoga was developed by men, for men. Its path evolved into a mastery over impulse, body, and mind. For modern males, however, yoga is seen as a feminine, soft practice, because millions of women do practice yoga, live a very yoga lifestyle, and the practice itself is not competitive. Sat Purusha writes on his website, “Yoga is not about achievement. It is not about competition or being better, but it is about challenge with yourself.”
Men who are seeking a new way of living, like recovery from drug and alcohol addiction, are challenging themselves every day in every area of their lives. Sobriety is a daily challenge. The many lifestyle changes required to support sobriety is also a daily challenge. In yoga, the challenge is not who can do complex, difficult poses, Purusha explains, “..but to find the point at which you stop trying and just do it. This is where many men fall down in Yoga, they want to compete and be better than the next man.” Yoga is not about being better than the man next to you, but the man in the mirror. Yoga is about stepping up to the ego, becoming mindful and aware of the self, meeting the self with humility and respect, then walking through challenges with peace and acceptance. Along with all the added benefits that make yoga great for men,2 the very origins and intentions of yoga are intrinsic with the highest intentions of some of India’s most respected men, making yoga an important practice for men seeking to learn more about themselves.
Tree House Recovery is a men’s addiction treatment facility offering long term partial care options. Our program combines the best of clinically proven therapy, intense fitness regiments, and the adventure of the great outdoors. Call us today for information: (503) 850-2474
Recovery demands more than abstinence. It asks for focus, movement, and a grounded return to self. Yoga is one of the tools Tree House Recovery PDX uses—and it works.
Contact our Portland drug and addiction team today at (503) 850-2474.
FAQs About Men in Yoga
Yes, yoga is good for me. Yoga challenges the body, disciplines the mind, and improves focus—all qualities that directly benefit men, especially in high-stress or transitional periods like recovery.
Historically, yoga has been practiced by men. Yoga began as a practice for men seeking strength, control, and spiritual discipline—long before it became associated with wellness studios and soft music.
Over time, Western culture reshaped yoga into a commercialized self-care trend, often marketed toward women. This shift blurred its original roots, but the core practice remains physically rigorous and mentally sharp—regardless of gender.
Yoga helps regulate the nervous system, improves emotional control, and rebuilds physical strength—core needs during recovery. It also gives men a structured way to reconnect with their bodies without shame or pressure.
Absolutely. Real masculinity isn’t about avoiding vulnerability—it’s about learning to master it. Yoga offers a grounded, disciplined path back to strength, presence, and inner control.
Sources
- Google Arts & Culture. Explore the ancient roots of yoga. Accessed June 17, 2025. https://artsandculture.google.com/story/explore-the-ancient-roots-of-yoga/ywWBRDl92CPuJg?hl=en
- Kuppili PP, Parmar A, Gupta A, Balhara YPS. Role of Yoga in Management of Substance-use Disorders: A Narrative Review. J Neurosci Rural Pract. 2018;9(1):117-122. doi:10.4103/jnrp.jnrp_243_17
