Two Inspiring Yoga Dads


Originally Posted 19 June 2016

As promised I’ve changed my regular blog feature Inspiring Yoga Mama a little bit this month and as it’s Father’s Day we’ve got not only one but two Inspiring Yoga Dads today! We already had the pleasure to learn all about the amazing Daniel Lumley a few days ago so today we have the very inspiring Adam Dare and Benjamin Tipping!

Ben (34) is a father of 3 children (5, 4 and 20 months) and is a Dad Blogger at Mutterings of a Fool. Adam (46) has two children aged 15 and 11 and his partner is Yoga Teacher Tara Stevenson so he is very lucky to have his very own private teacher at home 🙂

Here is what they had to say about their yoga practice:

Inspiring Yoga Dads

Benjamin Tipping

 

What first brought you to yoga?

A very dodgy back, 5 years of office work and commuting 80 miles a day led to lots of issues. Yoga was recommended by my chiropractor to start rebuilding.

Tell us about your first ever yoga class?

Pilates at the gym next to work where I was the youngest by at least 30 years and where I very quickly confirmed I was not very flexible.

What do you enjoy most about yoga?

The peace, life is busy with family, work and exercise. I like that it forces me to be focused and still for a while, it’s also not unknown for me to have a little snooze at the end.

When and where do you do yoga?

Try to do it once a week to help my running, always at home though following videos on YouTube. I’m really not a fan of driving somewhere to do exercise and it’s hard fitting in that extra time to the day so I tend to do it once I have the kids in bed in the evening.

What does your family think about you doing yoga?

My wife does the same videos as me (she’s also a runner) and my kids will join in if they see us doing it. But that does ruin the peaceful aspect a little.

What do you do when you don’t do yoga?

Aside from work (I’m a Finance Manager) family obviously keeps me very busy, but my passion/obsession in my free time is running and more recently triathlon. I run 5-6 days a week at 5.45am along the Ridgeway in Wiltshire. It’s a time where I find peace and also love being amongst nature, I often see hares and deer on my runs.

Who inspires you and why?

There is a trail runner called Emily Forsberg who is a real hero, I love her passion for the mountains and a simple happy life. I also love that when she talks about running she talks about moving in the mountains not times or distances and that even when she races she does it with a smile. If I can live more like her I think I’d be very happy.

rsz_ben

You can find Ben on Twitter as @thefooltweets and @therunningdaduk and his two blogs Mutterings of a Fool (parenting) and The Running Dad (running journey)

 

Adam Dare

 

What first brought you to yoga?

During my final years of playing squash I was attracted to the benefits of Yoga. I needed an exercise which helped improve my core and flexibility. Also I had heard Yoga would help me to minimize injuries.

I considered other practices such as Tai Chi, and Pilates, but I felt Yoga would give me added benefits in terms of helping me to cope better with work stress levels and general well-being.

Tell us about your first ever yoga class?

My first class was at my local gym. I didn’t know much about Yoga and during the class I couldn’t help thinking ‘Is this something for a bloke’. I was not similar with the poses, meditation, and chanting. After years of Football and squash, Yoga seemed ‘soft’ and something a man would not be interested in.

I was amazed how I felt after the class because I was very relaxed. Neither did I have any aches and pains the next day but felt good in myself both physically and mentally. This made me realize that I must continue practicing Yoga.

The most telling sign of its benefits was on the Squash court, where I had improved physically in terms of core strength and flexibility. Since starting Yoga I held the top spot in the club squash league consistently without injury.

Ever since my first lesson, I’ve practiced Yoga regularly and enjoy it.

What do you enjoy most about yoga?

I like the way it makes me feel during and after exercise. Yoga helps me to be less stressed and keeps my fitness at a reasonable level. I also like the fact that most people practicing Yoga tend to be friendly, non-competitive and welcoming.

When and where do you do yoga?

I train with my partner who is a qualified Yoga teacher. We train once or twice a week. It is like having a private teacher, because she helps advance my knowledge.

I have also joined a Yoga website, where I follow the class and train at home approximately 3 times a week. I mix the intensity of the type of classes I follow depending on how I feel e.g. Style, Focus, length

When time allows, I also train at my local Yoga club. Usually I would attend a class once a week. My total weekly practice is between 3-5 times per week.

What does your family think about you doing yoga?

My Kids and partner think it is a good thing I am practicing Yoga. My children made fun at first, since I must have looked a little strange practicing poses in the living room. They have realized I am much healthier, fitter and ‘chilled’ I am since I started. All my family are very supportive.

 

Give us 3 reasons why every man should practice yoga.

  • Good for physical fitness
  • Good for mental fitness and well being
  • Practicing can be done at your convenience

 

Who inspires you and why?

Typically, it would be famous sports people, but in terms of Yoga my partner who is a qualified Yoga teacher gives me lots of inspiration. She is very enthusiastic about teaching and learning.

Also, the Yoga teachers from my club because they always encourage. And the ones from the Yoga website as they always help push me forwards.

What do you feel passionate about?

I feel passionate about Yoga and maintaining good mental and physical health. These are very important to me as they affect my whole well-being.

Your advice for intimidated yoga beginners and particularly men?

  1. Don’t allow yourself to be intimidated, and remember classes are not competitive
  2. Learn about Yoga E.g. Styles, Yamas
  3. Use as many Yoga resources you need e.g. Online
  4. Know your limits, use props and listen to your body, but strive to improve without injury.

rsz_adam

Adam practices yoga with Tara Stevenson who can be found on Facebook, Twitter and her website. Her yoga holidays in France look absolutely fabulous! 

 

If you want to be our next Inspiring Yoga Mama / Dad or know of anyone who could inspire us then get in touch with Christine on info@yogaberry.net

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