Ask any man if he has heard the words Downward Dog, the Cobra, or the Tree Pose and you would be surprised at how many have - not just from hearing their female friends or significant others talking about it.

Yes, men and yoga, two words that you didn't hear much about, until now. The typical yoga enthusiast may be perceived as a young fit woman who can bend and twist in all directions, but that couldn't be further from the truth. Yoga is an individual activity and all about what it does for the person indulging in it.

Some men may be apprehensive to try it because they don't think they have the flexibility, or they may they think they may be shown up by a woman, but times are different. Whether you are looking to learn relaxing breathing techniques, workout tightened muscles or to simply try something new, this is no Girl's Club - so men, come on in.

At the Tribalance Yoga Center for example, in Schaumburg, there are three male teachers, one being the owner as well as 35 percent to 40 percent of the clientele being male.

"Men have a preconceived notion that yoga consists of the lighting of incense, hitting of gongs, and bending into a pretzel," says Corey T. Kelly, owner and teacher at the Yoga Center. "We have anyone from couch potatoes to professional athletes looking for strength training, to people who are involved in martial arts, coming and taking a class."

Kelly started taking yoga himself for bodybuilding training and after looking at the clock for the first 45 minutes of the 90-minute class, he surrendered and just let the yoga take over. As soon as the class ended he had made the decision that not only was he going to become a yoga teacher, but he was also going to start his own yoga studio.

While some men come in to the studio with their spouse's and after being coerced to give it a try, some of them keep coming back even if their wives decide not to, Kelly says.

It is the kind of activity that makes you curious and then grabs at you and keeps you wanting to come back for more, he says.

Although it can look intimidating at first, anyone can get hooked, men or women.

Those of you who think when I say "personal experience" that I mean just the spirituality of it you couldn't be more off. This is no sissy sport, men. This is an activity that makes you feel the workout for days. The kind of activity that has you working muscles that you didn't even think needed working. This is an exercise that works the mind and body at the exact same time. The feeling it gives you is different from any other exercise, it is unique and will work for anyone.

Some people may think that yoga is just yoga, one entity, but having learned from experience there are all different kinds of yoga. For you guys who want to have a nice long sweat, then Bikram or hot yoga is for you, which is usually conducted in a room that is 95 to 100 degrees. Iyengar is for those men who are looking for some bodybuilding or strengthening exercises due to its focus on body alignment. For guys who are just looking for pure mind and body relaxation, Hatha would work with its slow and gentle exercise and is good for beginners.

And, guys, don't worry about the clothes. You don't need to come in funky pajamas. Just wear anything that you're comfortable stretching around it - and won't show what you want to keep hidden when you're trying that Downward Dog.

Benefits of yoga for men

Fitness: Men tend to do higher-impact sports or exercise. Yoga helps "de-compact" men's bodies, helping them more safely continue their regular fitness routines, such as jogging or weightlifting. And it increases your stamina for other sports.

Stress: Women are more in tune with their emotions, doctors say, so men tend to see effects of stress on their bodies more (such as high blood pressure or heart disease). Twenty to 40 minutes of stretching and being quiet will go a long way toward reducing stress.

Health: Yoga can also help stave off some of the physical aspects of aging, such as impotence, Osteoporosis and heart conditions.

Source: Medicinenet.com, ABC-of-yoga.com

More information

• The Tribalance Yoga Center is located at 1102A S. Roselle Road in Schaumburg. For anyone wanting to give it a try there is a $25 introductory price for unlimited classes for one week. They offer all different class styles Sunday through Monday at various times. You can find more information at http://www.hotyogis.com.

• John Stossel teaches a yoga class at 11 a.m. Thursday at the Buehler YMCA in Palatine. See buehlerymca.org for more information.

• American Yoga Association: americanyogaassociation.org