Rooted in Resilience: Why More Men Are Turning to Yoga and Meditation

by Jenna Kelly
In a culture that often rewards output and disregards the emotional cost of success, men are conditioned to endure sustained stress until the only coping strategy they have energy for is sitting on the couch watching TV. Our culture seems to praise those willing to fight through emotional and physical pain, making suppression and distraction the most viable options. However, men are beginning to discover that true strength isn’t just about physical capability—it’s also about balance, presence and resilience. They are finding this strength through yoga and meditation.
These ancient practices aren’t just for the spiritually inclined or ultra-flexible. They provide grounds for measurable transformation in mind and body. For men navigating the pressures of work, providing for a family and modern life, yoga and meditation offer a more sustainable path forward—one that fosters a more grounded and available version of themselves.
Many yogis, including myself, first arrived on our mats for the physical benefits yoga provides. While each class and style is unique, one of the most common styles is Vinyasa yoga—a practice shaped in large part by Tirumalai Krishnamacharya in the early 20th century. Often referred to as the “father of modern yoga,” Krishnamacharya emphasized the connection between movement and breath, a concept that forms the backbone of Vinyasa today. His influence spread to the West through his students, including B.K.S. Iyengar and Pattabhi Jois.
This dynamic, full-body practice builds functional strength and stability without sacrificing flexibility and mobility. It also reduces injury risk and supports recovery, especially for those engaged in high-impact or repetitive fitness routines. But the greatest shift often happens internally.
One doesn’t have to be a male to struggle with balancing life’s demands. Modern culture is fast-paced and outcome-based, making it hard to land in the present moment—a fundamental ingredient in mindful living. Yoga offers a practical way to slow down and notice the connection between mind and body. By pairing movement with breath, participants experience an increase in body awareness and mental clarity. Another byproduct of syncing breath with movement is the downshift in the nervous system. When we experience stress, the sympathetic nervous system is activated, mirroring the biological changes in the fight, flight, freeze and fawn response.
Conversely, when the parasympathetic nervous system is online, our inner landscape feels more still and less reactive, helping lower blood pressure, reduce inflammation, and improve cardiovascular health—areas of growing concern for men as they age.
For men navigating stress or mental fatigue, meditation offers a vital pause—one that rewires the brain to handle challenges with calm and clarity rather than reactivity. This quiet strength often leads to improved relationships, work-life balance and overall well-being. Lebron James, now recognized for his support of meditation and other mindfulness practices through his series on the Calm app, says, “The mind is like a muscle; the more you train it, the stronger it becomes. While the greats mastered the body, the greatest mastered the mind.”
Jenna Kelly, co-owner of Balanced Planet Yoga, in Marlton, is a certified personal trainer and yoga instructor (200-Hour E-RYT/500-Hour RYT), and Pilates, barre and Inner Strength Meditation teacher. She blends movement and mindfulness in her classes for all ages and abilities. For more information or to view a class schedule, visit BalancedPlanetYoga.com.