Most men, especially those who grunt and heave weights in a gym, think yoga is for women, old people and sissies.

Well, Patrick Creelman (pictured here) has a challenge for you iron-pumping dudes: Try these yoga poses and then decide who's the sissy.

The Canadian, who used to be an adrenaline junkie who did sports like rock climbing and downhill skiing (a more extreme version of skiing), picked up yoga when he was in high school.

Once he realised that it served both his physical and spiritual needs, he stuck with it.

Now based in Hong Kong as fitness chain Pure Yoga's founding teacher, he cracks a wry smile when asked to demonstrate some tough poses to convince jocks that yoga is not for wimps.

Then he does a short warm-up routine, cracks his knuckles and contorts himself into some impossible poses. Okay, point taken.

He says these arm-balancing/strength poses require you to open your hips, your inner thighs (groin) and your shoulders. They can be great whole-body workouts when 'performed with steadiness and softness'.

By this, he means keeping the mind and body stable and supple as opposed to the total rigidity that most resistance exercises demand.

These poses require much more strength than the usual yoga poses, which are more about balance. Mastering them would give you a well-rounded workout that focuses on strength, flexibility and balance.

But don't give up hope, guys. Creelman, who declines to give his age, says it took him about three years to perfect these tougher poses. And he was doing them almost every day.

If you're inspired, here's a tip from the master: 'Find an inspiring and qualified teacher to learn the fundamentals from. From there, anything is possible.'

pradeep@sph.com.sg

------

Pic, top: VISVAMITRASANA
('FLYING WARRIOR' POSE)

Creelman's tip: Place one hand firmly on the floor. Move your hips behind you as much as possible in order to get your legs straight. To keep your balance, flex your whole body with your heart as a focal point while extending your legs as straight as possible. Open your elbows wide in the full expression of the pose and soften your facial muscles as you take deep breaths.

EKA PADA KOUNDINYASANA II
(EXTENDED LEG ARM BALANCE)

Creelman's tip: Place your hands on the floor and flex your feet, spreading your toes wide. Lift one leg up behind you, extending the other to the side. Keep your face soft (don't grimace) and allow your chest to pull towards the ground as you breathe deeply.

This story was first published in the Urban supplement on Jan 24, 2008.