Comments on: broga bromance?

By: Tim

Tim — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 12:04:33 +0000

I think this guy qualifies as more of a bro hipster combo, or a broster if you will. Bros don’t do yoga, come on now.

By: Kester

Kester — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 16:23:10 +0000

If women can have all women gyms and no one says anything, why can’t guys have all guy “Broga” classes?

By: Tracy

Tracy — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 10:26:51 +0000

A number of people have posted comments regarding yoga meaning union. I agree 100%, but with one caveat. Union, unity may happen instantly or over time. If the goal is unity and union, let’s welcome any vehicle that moves a group of people in tat direction. If “broga” is the vehicle that allows a number of people to step into the light welcome it. “Broga” may not be the union or represent the union, however it may bring about the union.

Peace

By: Damon

Damon — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 22:59:50 +0000

Broga has been a new way for people to beome part of the all impotant union discussed above. An intelligent cultivated extension of the art that brings people into the practice. I understand that Robert Sidoti has been doing this for people for a long time. Broga is a great extension of the union.

By: David Good

David Good — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 21:04:00 +0000

“These classes make for a good introduction to the practice for guys who are self-conscious about being in a room full of women as they tackle their first class.”
I love Robert’s comments. I also love that in the end Broga or no broga women and men end up practicing together. Women end up coming to Robert’s Broga classes. In the end its all UNION.

By: Alexis

Alexis — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 18:40:17 +0000

I think you should have interviewed Robert (above) before writing this article. sounds like what he is doing is amazing.

By: Sean

Sean — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 00:40:53 +0000

Great string of comments / insights.

I love giving people – anyone – an on-ramp to discovering a practice for themselves. And the marketing guy in me can appreciate the thinking behind the “Broga” name (see also: FunAsana Friday); but at the studios where I teach (www.shaktivinyasa.com and beluminousyoga.com), they have created classes specifically to deal with the intimidation factor newcomers feel. They call them Intro Series.
It’s an effective way to help all newbies find their feet.

I do see the value in men-only/woman-only classes when they are designed to deal with some of the important issues others have mentioned, but I think studios face a challenge of limited “prime time” slots that can be dedicated to sub-groups of sub-groups. Again, I agree with many: “I don’t care how you get here, just get here.” But to the guys who are “intimidated” to come to class because they’re afraid of looking stupid/being judged/being a beginner/whatever, I would (very) good naturedly say, “well, there’s your yoga, bro.”

By: Robert

Robert — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 15:04:07 +0000

Hey there, I am writing to weigh in a bit. I am the Creator of “Broga”. I have Co-Founded this with Adam O’neill. For the past few years I have been teaching Broga to men ( and women ). Not all classes are “men only”. We are always open to having women join the class. With that said, the women who come know that this is more geared for the male body, and I think that appeals to the women that come. It’s actually so amazing for me to be teaching to a room full of people and have 75-80% men and the rest women. It’s usually the opposite in most classes. I know plenty of men around the globe have found yoga and practice regularly, but I’m going after the men who would never step foot in a studio for various reasons. We all know those guys. Yoga just hasn’t been presented to them in a way that seems accessible. Even though most of us who already practice and are familiar with the world of yoga, know there are plenty of styles and approaches that would be beneficial to them. I think by calling it “Broga” ( for better or worse ) , and really putting forth an effort in designing it specifically for them, makes it easier for them to show up, and when they do, they love it and come back. In the 3 years I have been teaching Broga, I have men that have attended well over 200 classes who’d never been to a yoga class prior. I have men who had never been, who now bring there son’s ( and daughter’s ) and who talk about Broga at dinner parties and casual gatherings. They talk about how “great” they feel in there bodies, how much less stress they have in there lives ( and how to manage it when it’s there ). I know this because when this mans wife attends the class with him, she cannot thank me enough for offering this as she is almost in tears. I’m not patting myself on my back, I’m just super stoked that I have played some kind of roll in this mans positive life change. There are many other examples like this man’s experience.

Based on most of the comments above, it seems that the word “union” has been mentioned mostly. So one thing that just came to mind, and I know it doesn’t cover the entire topic of union… but by creating a yoga program for these resistant, super tight, made of concrete men, we are actually creating a sense of union. Broga is bringing them into the world of yoga, as opposed to them being on the outside looking in.

With the approach that Broga has of taking these men from the “familiar” to the “unfamiliar”, they slowly start to dabble in other yoga styles and disciplines. Maybe finally they will go to yoga with there wife at her studio of choice??

I know some people have there reservations about Broga and other branded styles of yoga… But who can really argue with the thought of more and more people practicing yoga in the world today? YOU know how it has had an effect on YOUR life in so many positive ways, wouldn’t you want more feeling the same? Broga is not a dumbed down or watered down version of yoga, I believe it has real integrity and heart and will change the lives of many!!

Robert Sidoti Creator and Co-Founder of Broga Yoga

By: shawn

shawn — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 05:24:15 +0000

I love Broga, Its the Best.

By: Monica

Monica — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 05:15:28 +0000

Hi I finally got my boyfriend to do yoga in a broga yoga class!!!!! He was extremely stubborn about going at first and now is hooked on BROGA!!!!!!! Beat idea ever! To get more info I went to http://www.brogayoga.com =)

By: Shawn

Shawn — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 05:06:30 +0000

I have been to a few Broga classes and they are the best. Broga Broga Broga!!!!!!

By: Oreste

Oreste — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 01:18:41 +0000

You know, we hear of these kinds of specialized classes and they can sound quite silly. But it is good to remember that Yoga is most effective (and efficient) when tailored to the needs of the individual. It may be hard to understand how someone could be intimidated in a Yoga class. But people come with varying levels of self-confidence and daring. Tailoring a class to men, who are in general stiffer than women, have more trouble setting boundaries for themselves as they watch others in the room achieve difficult poses, and who largely have been nurtured with a different paradigm for what fitness means, is actually not a bad idea. Yes “Yoga” means “union” but that translation comes with a bias to Vedanta and even so it is a translation that refers to the state of yoga and not necessarily its practice. “Yoga practice” does not require that this union be achieved right now. It allows you to pursue it in stages according to your needs and abilities. If these classes help men overcome discomfort and develop awareness that will help evolve their practice and allow them to focus, then it is actually more in line with a different translation of the term “yoga”: “the cessation of the activities of the mind”.

By: Lauren P.

Lauren P. — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 23:52:09 +0000

I love the idea of ‘broga.’ I personally am just starting to pick up yoga. As a swimmer, flexibility is something very important to my athletic performance. I also love the idea of yoga and finding inner peace. I know many guys (especially athletes) who could benefit greatly from practicing yoga. Not only would they increase their strength for sports, but they could also channel some of that “macho” anger to a more calm, relaxed place. Broga on!

By: dario

dario — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 21:31:35 +0000

I don’t necessarily see a problem with gender specific classes, but I’m not a fan of exclusivity. Also, “Broga” sounds like one of the worst marketing aberrations ever.
I am one of those super stiff guys that was (still is in many ways) intimidated by a yoga class, but so what? it doesn’t stop me from practicing regularly, I know what my limits are and I adjust the poses accordingly. I think the need for “broga” comes from bad instructors that want everything to conform to an ideal form, rather than taking the time to understand the individual frames and suggesting how to adjust the practice.
Accepting others (and yourself) is part of what Yoga gives you, exclusivity doesn’t sound like something that fits the picture.
Now a closing (silly) thought: I wonder how gay men feel about “broga”

By: Danna

Danna — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 08:29:34 +0000

I think broga is great as an introduction class for men. There are so many womens only classes out there that I do not see a problem for men to have there one or two broga classes a week.
Then once their confidence is up… Send them off to the mixed classes where they can share their new moves.