In this conversation with Derek and Larry, renowned yoga instructor, author, and veteran, Rolf Gates shares his transformative journey from a troubled youth to a successful yoga teacher and author.

Gates discusses the pivotal moments in his life, including his experiences with sports, addiction, and the military, which shaped his understanding of discipline, self-regulation, and personal growth. Emphasizing the importance of exercise in his recovery from addiction, Gates touches on how yoga became a vital part of his life and spiritual awakening, as well as the evolving landscape of yoga, particularly regarding male participation in the practice.

In addition to sharing various insights on the practice of yoga, the importance of letting go, finding balance, and trusting the process of life, Gates speaks to the writing of his best-selling book, 'Meditations from the Mat,' and the power of daily reflections and motivational quotes as tools for wisdom and personal growth.

In this conversation with Bryan Kest, Derek and Larry discuss with the California-based power yoga pioneer the evolving perception of yoga among men, emphasizing its multifaceted benefits as a workout that addresses strength, flexibility, and mental well-being.

Kest shares his insights on different styles of yoga, particularly Yin Yoga and Power Yoga, and on how a personal practice can transform over time, especially in relation to aging and injury. The discussion highlights the importance of adapting yoga practices to individual needs and the long-term health benefits of maintaining a consistent yoga routine. In addition, Kest challenges the conventional notions of strength and success, urging listeners to appreciate the simple joys of life and prioritize wellness over societal expectations.

Other topics include (1) the profound impact of yoga on personal growth; (2) the importance of quieting the mind; (3) breath as a focal point in a practice; (4) the balance between strength and calmness; (5) the cultural pressures that often lead to ego-driven behaviors; and (6) the need to find a personal practice that resonates with individual needs.

In this episode of Guys Talking Yoga, hosts Derek and Larry discuss essential tips for men starting their yoga practice.

They emphasize:

• The importance of setting intentions

• Choosing the right yoga mat

• Finding a suitable studio.

• What to expect during the first class and how to navigate the studio experience

• Essential tips for yoga practitioners, studio etiquette, class structure, and the importance of listening to one's body and breath.

• The need for respect in the yoga space, the significance of punctuality, and the human aspect of yoga teaching.

• Encouraging practitioners to connect with their breath and being mindful of their physical limits.

What’s stopping more guys from doing yoga? It often comes down to some common misconceptions and excuses.

In this episode of the Guys Talking Yoga, co-hosts Derek Vanderwarker and Larry Milburn share the many ways yoga practice has transformed their lives off the mat. Listen as they offer practical tips for men who are yoga-curious but a little hesitant to take the plunge.

Derek and Larry also talk about:

• How yoga builds strength and body awareness

• Yoga and breathwork for better performance

• How yoga helps with stress and anxiety

• The spiritual side of yoga and building community

• Yoga for midlife men

Get ready for a new season of the Guys Talking Yoga podcast, where hosts Derek and Larry continue their mission to make yoga accessible to every man. Tune in THIS FALL for engaging conversations and expert insights to help you step on the mat and live a more balanced life practicing yoga.

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When Matt Giordano taught his first yoga class in his mom's Long Island basement, he had no idea he’d inspire a movement. He just wanted to share the practice that had transformed his life.

In this episode with guest host Larry Milburn, Matt reflects on his unlikely journey from touring musician to yoga teacher to influencer and entrepreneur. You’ll learn about how Matt discovered yoga, how its benefits radiated into every area of his life, and how his relationship with a mentor helped launch his own teaching career and attract a massive online following.

Matt also talks about:

• How yoga has made him a much better (and less injury-prone) ice hockey player

• What he learned from his mentor, yoga legend Marco Rojas

• How he went from teaching informally to leading international trainings

• The barriers that prevent more men from trying yoga and how to overcome them

These days, yoga is a mainstream phenomenon practiced by many. But back in the 1970s, when actor and filmmaker Campbell Scott first discovered it, it was still a fringe practice associated with hippies and gurus.

In this episode with guest host Larry Millburn, Campbell shares how a yoga book by Richard Hittleman nourished him physically, mentally, and spiritually.

As a teenager struggling with anxiety and self-doubt, Campbell was drawn to yoga's promise of inner peace and resilience. Over the years, his practice became an anchor, and a way to stay grounded in the face of the challenges and uncertainties of life as a performing artist.

Campbell also talks about:

• How yoga helped him quit smoking and manage the pressures of an acting career

• Getting over the discomfort of being a man in female-dominated yoga spaces

• How his practice has evolved over decades

• How yoga fosters a sense of presence and connection

• Why more men should give yoga a try

Links:

Campbell Scott's IMDb page https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001714/

Richard Hittleman's Yoga book https://www.amazon.com/Richard-Hittlemans-Yoga-Exercise-Plan/dp/0553277480

Larry’s Yoga for Dudes website https://www.yogafordudes.com/

Way of the Empowered Man Retreat GTY Episode https://www.gtypodcast.com/podcast-episodes/52-johnny-gillespie

Back from a couple months off with a quick update on the summer season with guest host Larry Milburn, former host of Roadie Free Radio and the online site, Yoga for Dudes.

Derek and Larry share their initial thoughts from the Kripalu Yoga Center in Western Massachusetts where they just completed the Way of the Empowered Man led by frequent guest, Johnny Gillespie.

The guys talk about the intense core work of the weekend, the heat, the surprisingly high turnout from guys who are totally new to yoga that joined the retreat, and offer a quick preview for the fall.

Also, Derek is handing the mic to Larry as guest host for the summer as he takes paternity leave with his newborn daughter and wife.

So stay tuned right for Larry’s summer interviews with some great Connecticut-based guys with more stories and offerings, and future new content and programming GTY is developing for the fall.

Be sure to check out our fully redesigned website for more episodes, resources and links to get your practice started.

Ever wondered what it would be like to roll out a yoga mat on your lunch break and check in with your body? Today’s show was recorded at Triangle Manufacturing, a company that encourages just that.

My friend and former guest Larry Milburn was brought in to start a yoga program at this medical device manufacturing firm, and today he introduces us to two company leaders who made it happen: CEO Dax Stohlmeyer and VP of Finance Jeff Simon.

In a way, Triangle is the perfect case study for yoga in the workplace because their team includes both people who are on their feet all day doing physical work, as well as people who work mostly seated at desks.

As you’ll learn in this episode, both types of employees crave movement. And both have experienced profound benefits from these twice-weekly sessions with Larry. Triangle’s yoga program contributes to a “culture of wellness,” and it’s an example other companies would be wise to consider.

The guys also talk about:

• How and why the company brought in Larry to teach yoga

• What yoga has done for workplace camaraderie

• Dax’s experience with yoga as a former professional football player

• Jeff’s experience as a newcomer to yoga

• How yoga and mindfulness make Dax a better leader

Casey McBride is a longtime yoga practitioner and teacher who specializes in working with men and young male athletes.

She joins us to talk about how she found her way to that niche; common themes she sees among yoga-curious men; using props; and how yoga helps her athletes gain strength and avoid (and recover from) injuries.

Casey also talks about:

• The “underground revolution” of young athletes using yoga to gain strength and mobility

• Her advice for guys just starting out with yoga

• Why your ego is the enemy of a great yoga practice

• Why physical therapy alone often doesn’t do the job

• The meaning of her mantra “do just enough” and how that mindset helps her students stay healthy

Today we have a 3-man episode, with two friends of the show joining me to go beyond downward dog and dive into the more philosophical and contemplative side of yoga.

The subject is dharma: what it means to us, why it’s so important, and how to pursue it alongside other guys who share similar values.

Put simply, dharma is about maintaining a practice or a program that grounds you in the present and keeps you focused on what’s actually important to you. And in my experience, yoga is an extremely powerful tool do just that.

Richard and Johnny also talk about:

• What brought them to yoga and mindfulness

• “Dharma bombs”: sudden moments of awareness

• Bringing yourself back to the moment when you’re lost in thought

• Kinship and camaraderie among guys pursuing similar spiritual paths

Ever wondered why I’m so motivated to spread the good word about the benefits of yoga to guys everywhere? This episode lays it all out.

That’s because today the mic is turned on me, as I’m interviewed by my good friend Larry Milburn, on his excellent podcast ⁠Roadie Free Radio⁠.

I share how it all started with an injury to a muscle I barely knew existed, which led to a lot of physical and mental pain. That’s when things got interesting…

I also talk about:

• The injury that led me down a path of loss and growth

• Making the decision to take responsibility for my own recovery

• My early experiences with Bikram yoga

• How injuries from decades ago come back to haunt us guys

• Getting started with Iyengar yoga

• Training with Alison West at Yoga Union

• My advice for getting started with yoga

• The mat and props I recommend

Ed Harrold is a health and performance coach, yoga teacher, and the author of ⁠Life with Breath⁠.

In this episode, he shares how he came to yoga and breathwork as a stressed-out, “broken” middle-aged guy battling physical and psychological demons; how those practices have completely transformed his health and fitness; and how you can start down the same path today.

Ed also talks about:

• The science of breath and the dangers of shallow breathing

• The anatomy of the the psoas, diaphragm, lungs, and ribcage

• Where to start if you want to change the way you breathe

• How he gained flexibility strictly through breathing exercises

• Managing your energy throughout the day through mindful breathing

We’ve heard from a lot of guys about how yoga has helped ease their back pain, work through stress, or improve their relationships.

Today’s episode has those elements, but it’s also something else entirely: the story of Darnell “Moe” Washington, a former gang member who found yoga while serving a sentence of 35 years to life in prison.

It’s the third and final episode in our Prison Yoga Project series, and it’s one of the most powerful conversations we’ve had on the show.

You’ll learn how Moe connected with former GTY guest James Fox while at San Quentin; the mental and physical capabilities he developed through his practice; and how yoga and mindfulness helped him gain his freedom and prepare for the rest of his life.