Why Don’t More Men Do Yoga?

We recently came across a fascinating paper titled “Men Need Role Models: Exploring the Facilitators and Barriers for Yoga Participation Among Men,” published in the American Journal of Men’s Health (November – December 2024). The study, conducted in Australia, examines why fewer men practice yoga compared to women and explores ways to encourage more men to participate.

Yoga is everywhere, yet the statistics show a clear gender gap. In the U.S., 18.8% of women practice yoga compared to only 8.3% of men. In Australia, the disparity is even greater, with only 2% of men practicing versus 10.9% of women. This study sought to understand the barriers preventing men from joining yoga classes and what might encourage them to start—and stick with—it.

Defining Yoga: A Research Perspective

When I shared this paper on social media, a former student messaged me, upset about the study’s definition of yoga: “a holistic form of physical activity, including physical, mental, and sometimes spiritual components.” She felt it misrepresented yoga, reducing it to mere exercise.

But this is where research literacy is key. The study wasn’t trying to define yoga in an absolute sense—it was defining yoga within the context of the study, which focused on men’s participation in physical yoga classes, not meditation or philosophy. Research requires clarity, and that sometimes means working definitions that serve the study’s purpose, not personal interpretations of what yoga should be.

The Three Main Barriers for Men in Yoga

The study identified three major themes that discourage men from trying or sticking with yoga: encouragement, gender perceptions, and benefits.

1. Men Need Encouragement to Attend Yoga

The research found that men are more likely to try yoga when they receive persistent encouragement—whether from friends, family, or health professionals. They need reassurance that yoga is beneficial and socially acceptable for them. This made me wonder: why is the responsibility on us (women, yoga teachers, the yoga community) to encourage them? Why aren’t men encouraging each other to go to yoga?

2. Men Have Strong Gender Perceptions About Who Yoga Is For

Many men perceive yoga as a feminine activity—too gentle, not competitive, and misaligned with traditional masculinity. Marketing often targets women, and male representation in yoga is limited. This is where societal gender norms play a role. But here’s my thought: instead of reshaping yoga to fit traditional masculinity, why not challenge those norms? Women have been navigating male-dominated spaces like the weight room for years, and we still show up. Why can’t men do the same for yoga?

3. Men Need Convincing of What the Benefits of Yoga Are

Once men actually attend yoga classes, they’re often surprised by how physically challenging it is. They enter thinking it will be easy and then feel self-conscious when they struggle. The irony is that yoga offers incredible benefits—physically, mentally, and emotionally—but men need to experience these firsthand. The study suggests that men are more likely to try yoga if it’s positioned as a supplemental fitness activity or as a therapeutic practice. Again, this raises the question: why is it society’s job to convince men of something that benefits them?

The Bigger Picture

This study highlights how deeply ingrained gender norms influence behavior. Women are socialized to seek out and build community, which is a big part of yoga’s appeal. Men, on the other hand, often lack that same socialization. Instead of expecting yoga to change to fit their needs, perhaps men need to redefine their own relationship with wellness, community, and personal growth.

We’ll leave you with this: If women can push past social conditioning to enter male-dominated spaces like gyms and corporate boardrooms, men can step into a yoga studio without needing excessive hand-holding. Yoga is there for anyone willing to step outside their comfort zone—and that’s where real transformation happens.

So, if you’re a man hesitant about yoga, consider this your invitation. No persistent encouragement required.