‘Yoga for the Inflexible Male’ classes gain popularity in Cloverdale, Healdsburg

What first started as a harebrained idea for Cloverdale author Roy Parvin has mushroomed into a book deal, a pending trademark and the nickname “Yoga Matt.”

Early last year, Parvin, 61, was out for a bike ride with his friend, Barry Hoffner, when an idea popped into his head.

Parvin had heard a yoga studio was going to rent one of the storefronts Hoffner owns on First Street in Cloverdale so he half-jokingly suggested the owners launch a “Yoga for the Inflexible Male” class.

“Barry laughed and so did the owners of the studio,” Parvin recalled. “But they did it. Now it's their most popular offering.”

Jenn Russo, owner of Yoga on Center, said she had no hesitation about offering the class, but was not sure it would be sustainable.

“I have seen classes like this work before as a short series, but never as an ongoing weekly class,” she said. “There was never a question about giving it a try, but I didn't expect the class to grow as it has.”

Every week a growing cadre of previously non-yoga practicing men, dressed sufficiently scruffy in shorts and T-shirts, troop in to either the Cloverdale or Healdsburg location of Yoga on Center. A few have graduated to coed classes, but most are comfortable staying right where they are.

It is not unusual to see 18-20 men in a class. Even on New Year's Day, 10 showed up.

Russo chose yoga instructor Jerry Sinclair to lead the group, believing his style of teaching and yoga would be well suited for the class.

Sinclair said his first thought was “We'll see.” With 28 years' experience teaching yoga, the 71-year-old instructor had never heard of such a thing.

“I had actually decided to fully retire and stop teaching yoga when Jenn approached me,” he said. “Now, I'm not only grateful for all the energy and support these men give me, I am surprised by their consistent commitment and improvement.”

Parvin initially drummed up interest in the class with an article for the local newspaper. Several people contacted him as a result, including Joe Frankl.

“I had been meaning to try yoga and a class geared to inflexible men was very appealing,” said Frankl, 65. “Jerry is very easy going and encouraging. I even try to do at least one session on my own at home between classes.”

Parvin's devotion to the practice of yoga initially began as therapy for a bout of sleeplessness, which eventually grew into a memoir he entitled, “My Year of Sleeping Dangerously.” The yoga proved to be so therapeutic for his insomnia that he became an evangelist of the ancient practice.

As the idea for a book began taking shape, he told his agent about his “Yoga for the Inflexible Male” idea. She agreed it was a great idea, but she did not handle that kind of book.

“Fortunately, she knew somebody who did, so now I have two agents,” he said.

Parvin wrote the book because he believes many men are inflexible and could benefit tremendously from yoga. At the same time, he realized they are much less likely to pop into the local yoga studio for a class.

“Yoga for the Inflexible Male” is written with all of the male-centered reservations in mind, including fear of being clumsy or awkward. Every difficult pose has suggested modifications, which he referred to as “the good, the not-so-bad, and the ugly,” making it easy for the average inflexible man to find what works for him.

He noted there is no new-age mumbo-jumbo in the book that could easily turn off an inflexible man. Instead, he used humor to help break down decades of male phobia about yoga while at the same time trying to displace any inhibitions or embarrassment.

According to Parvin, each and every pose illustrated in the book by Cloverdale artist Richard Sheppard was “Jerry-fied,” using Sinclair's modifications and adjustments to traditional poses. These make yoga possible for those who thought their inflexibility disqualified them from entering a yoga studio. They are based on Sinclair's personal experience as a former inflexible male, and they target the areas where men are usually the least flexible, such as their hamstrings.

Jim DePriest, 66, has been doing yoga off and on for years, but had been temporarily sidelined by an injury that prevented him from practicing. He initially went to the class just to check it out.

“It's great to be back in the saddle,” he said. “Yes, there are some aches and pains to work through, but look around at ‘older folks' and see how their mobility is. It's never too late to start, but many use that as an excuse and it's silly. Attitude is a big part of the process.”

The current series of men-only classes are held from 4-5 p.m. Mondays in Healdsburg, and from 5-6:15 p.m. Tuesdays in Cloverdale.

Men can either sign up for the whole series or just drop in on a class. Details can be found at www.yogaoncenter.com.

The book, “Yoga for the Inflexible Male,” will be published by Ten Speed, an imprint of Penguin Random House, in October.

The book that grew out of the friendship between Parvin and Hoffner has had its surprises. Even though the first publisher Parvin took it to bid the most it ever had for a manuscript, Random House came in three times higher.

Parvin also said he never thought of himself as funny, except with his wife, Janet.

“This book is a labor of love, filled with good information told in a humorous way,” he said. “Suddenly everyone is laughing. I never expected it.”