Woodfield Country Club in Boca Raton, Fla. offers more than 10 yoga classes every week, including vinyasa, yin and restorative. While the club has an active membership, men rarely participated in these classes. But when a member suggested a male-focused yoga class, “Yoga for Bros” was introduced.
“The goal was to create a class that would put unlikely yoga participants, namely men, at ease with a less-intimidating class structure,” says Kim Pace, Woodfield’s Assistant Director of Fitness & Group Exercise. “Participants are encouraged to wear whatever makes them feel comfortable, and are free to talk if they would like. This easygoing class structure and social vibe of the class have made it something men enjoy coming to week after week.”
The class, taught by a staff member who is a Physical Therapist as well as a Yoga Instructor, covers basic fundamentals to address muscles that are prone to tightness, according to Pace. Yoga poses help participants improve their mobility, stability, balance and range of motion.
“The class was marketed as a casual modified stretching session with yoga poses,” Pace says. “Our marketing pieces used this message: ‘Before you shrug your tight shoulders because ‘you don’t do yoga,’ think again, because this is ‘Yoga for Bros.’ You will not be asked to twist your body into a pretzel, and there won’t be any ‘Namaste.’ You can talk if you want and wear whatever makes you comfortable. Think of it as a stretching session with a coach to help you improve your golf game, tennis game or general activities of daily life.’”
In season, Yoga for Bros was offered as a complimentary class for members and conducted weekly on Tuesday evenings. Woodfield promoted the class through club e-mail blasts, digital signage boards, flyers and word-of-mouth. On average, 15 to 25 participants attend Yoga for Bros each week, Pace says.
To keep things fresh, the class changes the concept into “Specialty Brews & Yoga for Bros” once a month. At this specialty class, participants enjoy additional socializing with an assortment of cold beer and nuts, before or after class.
“Members love it,” Pace says of the class in general. “Feedback has been extremely positive, with members commenting that it is fun, comfortable and exciting. Others have commented that they are seeing improvement in their golf and/or tennis performance.
“The class certainly has a buzz about it, and members who are unable to make the scheduled time are asking for additional classes,” Pace says, adding that Yoga for Bros will be brought back in 2020.
The Goal: Woodfield Country Club offers more than 10 yoga classes every week, but men rarely participated. When a member suggested a male-focused class, “Yoga for Bros” was introduced.
The Plan: Create a class that would put men at ease with a less-intimidating structure. Participants are encouraged to wear whatever makes them feel comfortable and are free to talk if they would like. Yoga for Bros is marketed as a modified stretching session to help men improve their golf game, tennis game or general activities of daily life.
The Payoff: Feedback has been extremely positive, with members reporting improvement in their golf and/or tennis performance. Members who are unable to make the scheduled time are asking for additional classes.
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