Photo by my talented friend Emily.

Remember a long, long time ago when I mentioned an upcoming series about guys who rock their yoga practice? The time has come for our first post! I'm excited to introduce our first yogi in the Real Men Do Yoga series: Joseph Barilla.

Joe is a Bikram yogi who started his practice at the studio in Carle Place, NY and who now attends classes at Rockville Centre, NY. You can find him on Facebook here. This is his story.

Quite a tall Triangle Pose!

I have been practicing Bikram yoga on and off for four years. It is the first yoga I tried and I was immediately hooked on the heat, the challenge, and the unique perspective on life that the yoga provides. My favorite postures are Standing Bow Pose and Camel Pose.

I never felt it was an issue to do yoga as a man. I just did it. Liked it. Did it more. Hated it for making me feel stupid or terrible sometimes. Did it more. Liked it more for making me feel terrible, realizing I had stuff to clean up inside my body and in my life as well.

I don't feel any more or less manly practicing yoga. To all the guys who mock the yoga dudes, I say, "I will out-dance and out-live you!"

I do some of the poses at home, but its not the same thing. Besides, I get a kick out of watching people that are about to pass out. I will admit, though, I usually have that look on my face. Working on it. Have been for four years. I feel as if I just started yesterday.

I will attend the training soon. It's been on my mind for a couple of years now. I'm not sure how I feel about Bikram's rule about not wearing green at the training because it's his least favorite color. (It happens to be my favorite color.) But...I can deal, I suppose. Nine weeks of doing Bikram yoga twice a day will most likely make me focus on other things, like trying to stay alive. ;)

I'm at a transition phase of my life. I wish, I pray, I yell, I dream about attending the training in California. I'm not really sure of anything right now and it's a little scary not knowing what my future will look like. But the training is something I would like to attend within the next year.

Namaste,

Joseph

Be a man. Do yoga. And then submit to Alive in the Fire about it. Photo by Steven Brahms.

Guys, submit your yoga story to be part of the series! Whether you do Bikram or any other style, I'd love to hear from you. Email aliveinthefire @ gmail [dot] com today!

Exciting note: I'm not positive yet, but I'm hoping to do special giveaways for the guys who submit, so get yours in early. :)