What are women up against?

I have lost count of the number of times I’ve advised single guy friends to take up yoga.  Not only for the obvious physical and mental benefits, but for the social opportunities yoga classes offer.  Anyone who’s ever been to a yoga class can attest that the ratio of men to women is not typically representative of society.  In other words, yoga classes are full of women.  Indeed, NAMASTA reports that fully 77% of US yoga practitioners are women.

So I have to say:  guys, what’s up with you?  I know so many women who are yearning for a better, healthier life and being held back by their partners.  I found it extremely instructive working with older British women through my post with Age Concern.  Given that women outlive men in almost all industrialised nations, I found myself working with many widows.  Although they missed their deceased husbands, what they did not miss was mealtimes.  Or rather, meal preparation.  They had lived through marriages of 40, 50 years and been confined to plates pleasing to the palates of their menfolk.  In their newfound independence, many opted for lighter, healthier foods ceasing altogether the preparation of roasts and fry-ups.  And this is not something confined to the older generation:  a good friend of mine has recently ended a 7-year relationship and what she is most excited about is amplifying her daily menu.  No more nursery food (chips, beans, pies) and hello again to chard, sweet potatoes and vegetables other than tomatoes.

I went to a yoga class whilst on a recent jaunt in Madrid.  10 attendees, all women.  The teacher is a friend of a friend, in a long term relationship with a child.  I innocently asked if her partner practises yoga as well.  To guffaws, I was told that no, indeed not.  In fact, he likes to sneak bits of meat to the kid – something his spouse abhors – and enjoys a sniff of cocaine on a night out.  You know, I wondered why she spent so much time on the 3rd chakra (Manipura), the seat of personal power.  I mean, if your own partner can’t bring himself to stop taking drugs or at least not give meat to the kid, then you’d have to feel yourself up against a big, immovable wall.  I would also cultivate my personal power.

Which brings me to the core of this post.  I am lucky enough to have someone to love, who loves me.  He is wonderful.  But he smokes, he starts the day with sugary black coffee, he eats white bread with jam, he thinks that buying organic vegetables is a waste of money, etc etc.  I’ve gotten him as far as recycling and he’s added superoods like gojis and seaweed to his existing vegetarian diet (he does eat pretty well compared to many) but you know, I still feel like my travels on my own path are slowed by the continuing presence of nasties in the cupboards.  I don’t know if I was happier when I was purer, but I know that striving to be the best I can brings me mental calm.  And of course, it would be easier in two.

So, guys, what are you waiting for?  Why are you so hooked on beer, doobs and cigarettes? Why is is that you’d rather tear a ligament once a month playing 5-a-side football than get down on a yoga mat and actually care for your body?  I can’t help thinking that the tyranny of the andro-centric society condemns us all to shorter, unhealthier lives.