May 9, 2015
Click here for the full written transcript of this podcast episode.
Dean Pohlman's first yoga class was entirely on accident. He says:
“I was looking for the tailor and stumbled into a Bikram Yoga studio. I had always been interested in yoga but had never taken a yoga class before that day. I asked the yoga instructor if this class would help my athletic performance. [At the time I was a lacrosse player for the University of Wisconsin.] She told me that it would help me tone my muscles and make me much more flexible. That was exactly what I was looking for. Two hours later, drenched in sweat from head to toe, feeling like I had just exited the pool, and utterly exhausted, I had just completed my first yoga class. It was, and probably will remain, the hardest workout that I have ever done. From that point on, I was sold.”
After two months of doing yoga consistently, Dean realized that the benefits of yoga extended far beyond flexibility…
“My level of limberness skyrocketed, and so did my endurance, body control, core strength, and balance, just to name a few of the benefits I was experiencing. More than that, it made me even stronger in the weight room.”
Dean first began instructing yoga as the conditioning coach of his lacrosse team in 2011. That success encouraged him to take his knowledge and passion to a larger audience, and in January of 2013, Dean founded Man Flow Yoga in order to bring the physical benefits of yoga to as many people as possible, and since then, Dean has been teaching at gyms, parks, workshops, international retreats, and online.
As you can see in the photos above and below, Dean has certainly figured out how to get ripped with yoga, and in today's podcast you'll discover:
-If it is possible to separate the movements involved in yoga from the spirituality and philosophy of yoga…
-What makes Dean's form of yoga different from other forms of yoga…
-Why the the yoga industry has done a poor job in reaching the male audience or the extreme fitness crowd…
-What you'll find in Dean's book “Yoga Basics for Men” (use 25% discount – “BENGREENFIELD25” – on the eBook)….
-And much more!
Questions, comments or feedback about how to get ripped with yoga? Leave your thoughts below, and be sure to check out Dean's book “Yoga Basics for Men” (you can use 25% discount – “BENGREENFIELD25” – on the eBook).
I like the interview will buy books, because I like to see different kinds of approaches. I Ashtanga primary series of gradual about 20 years ago, when I did not use the gym to prepare for the ski season. (Along with running and skating) it worked very well.
I enjoyed the interview, the guy and bought the book on amazon, where it's 3 times cheaper by the way… and I'm wondering… if you are a total beginner then ok… but even… if you are total beginner in yoga why would you even read books about… yoga?! the tips are way too basic and short… kind of disappointed. I enjoyed much more the youtube videos.
Thanks for the find. The discount code didn't work so I backed out. But I'm willing to check it out for $8 on my Kindle.
Hey Vegpedlr – the discount code still works. Try it again!
Hey Tatyana – Thanks for commenting (and glad that you enjoyed the YouTube videos!)
The point of making the tips short is so that people can learn the poses quickly. Typing a whole page about each pose would be information for most people who want to start doing yoga quickly. Also, the eBook on Amazon is the first edition of the book, and has less than half the content that the newer eBook contains.
I enjoyed the interview and will buy the ebook because I like to see different kinds of practice. I used a gradual progression of the Ashtanga Primary Series about 20 yrs ago when I did not have access to a gym to prepare for ski season. (along with running and inline skating) It worked really well.
But my experience is opposite to Pohlman's regarding the spirituality. I find that almost no one understands or correctly teaches the spiritual dimension. It took a lot of study on my own to understand that what we call yoga, the physical exercise, is a TINY part of a vast universe. Using it as exercise only is playing a very small game. But the saying goes that "yoga itself is the teacher." So practicing just to look a certain way can lead to bigger and better things.
Tip on the title: you don't get ripped on Yoga; getting ripped starts in the kitchen. ;)
I've included Yoga as part of my training since the early 90s along with strength training and endurance work. (Bryan Kest's program.) The full six pack didn't show up until I had the "diet" nailed down.
I think more men will try it now, looking at him it clearly works well. I started doing something called Piyo which is like a flow yoga and had a nice decrease in sore joints.
Great interview Ben, I will look into Man Flow Yoga.
It appears that the emphasis for "man" yoga is becoming a more prevalent specialization.
After decades of strength training and triathlons, I realized that I was inflexible as hell and started a yoga practice and swore off all weight lifting for a year to see what would occur with my mind and body. It didn't take long for me to realize that in most of the classes, in my opinion, were too esoteric and too aerodynamic. I did find a few strong practices available, so I Googled, "yoga for men" and found "BROGA," yoga for bro's. I invited them to Miami for a training session and it really met what I was looking for. You should check it out. I have no financial interest in the company, I did however become a Broga instructor, in order to help other men.