IF ten years ago, you asked any self proclaimed alpha male to provide an insight into the concept of yoga, the response would have been all too predictable.

Odds on his answer containing the terms ‘girls’, ‘wimps’, ‘pointless’, or words to the equivalent, would invariably have been short.

However, in the ever evolving world of professional sport, where physical demands on the bodies of athletes are now at all time high – it’s fair to say that perception is changing rapidly.

There was a time when the terms ‘rugby’ and ‘yoga’ would never appear in the same sentence – but now even the All Blacks, the current World Champions, indulge in group sessions to improve player flexibility and create a relaxed mindset when visualising an upcoming game.

Furthermore Ryan Giggs, who was still playing Premiership football at the age of 40, credited yoga sessions for the longevity of his career – while Andy Murray (tennis) and Shaquille O’Neal (basketball) are further examples of elite sportsmen who now swear by the notion.

Therefore, after more than two decades of negligence towards stretching, it was with a great deal of intrigue that I accepted an invitation from Kerry Curson to attend one of her ‘Hotpod Yoga’ sessions at the Pill Social Centre in Milford Haven.

Kerry runs 11 classes a week at venues in Pembrokeshire and Cardigan, and is a level three qualified yoga instructor after first attending sessions as a 14-year-old.

“The idea of yoga in heated conditions has really grown in recent times,” she explained.

“There are different types. Bikram yoga is done at 41°c, but the classes we are currently running focus on the Vinyasa style.”

She explained that the latter was done at 37°c, and ensures each posture during the 60 minute workout is linked to the legs, putting emphasis on core stability.

However, it was the notion of the hot conditions that caused me the most trepidation. As a raw novice, I felt I was going out of the frying pan, and quite literally, into the fire.

“A warm room releases tension and muscles stretch a bit deeper,” said Kerry.

“It improves the ease of motion and you can push your flexibility that little bit more without risking injury.

“And the extra heat and constant movement means you invariably work hard and test your cardio as well.”

But it was Kerry’s next statement that heartened me the most.

“Not so long ago yoga wasn't seen as fashionable amongst males.

“But that’s changing. More and more men are taking it up and we have a lot of runners, cyclists, and people who play impact sports using it to help prevent injury.

“We try and work in six week blocks so that clients can get used to a routine and build on it. Most people tend to pick it up quickly but we cater for all abilities and individuals work to their own levels of flexibility.

“Our participants range from 16-66 year olds.”

Sure enough, when it was time for me to make my yoga bow, I noted my group would constitute of variable experience, age, and ability.

I was accompanied by work colleague Katy Woodhouse, also a yoga novice, but who had least incorporated pilates into a previous fitness regime. I figured if I was going to look inferior – best do it next to a familiar face.

However, I realised the word ‘hotpod’ had blown over my head. Envisaging a small classroom with the radiators turned up, I arrived to see a temporary dome, nine metres long, six metres wide, and three metres tall, erected in the middle of the room.

Armed with my towel and bottle of water, I struggled through Kerry’s two introductory stretches, the ‘downward dog’ and ‘warrior two’ – and immediately my calves felt about as supple as bricks.

Myself and Katy also made a rookie error when we instinctively followed the newcomers code of heading straight to the back of the ‘hotpod’, invariably placing ourselves next to the humidifier.

Sure enough, the opening stages proved tough as I got to grips with the sequence and adapted to the conditions. I had always considered core stability an asset of mine when doing the odd plank in the gym. But maintaining it during 60 minutes of continuous movement, was proving slightly more complex.

However, as time went on, I could feel genuine improvements in my flexibility – and a significant change in the range of movement Kerry had spoken about beforehand. Stretches that had caused me great difficulty at the start of the session were becoming, dare I say it, easier.

I soon learnt that keeping concentration and following the movements accurately was imperative – and as I fatigued, the concept of balancing, especially on one leg, became that little bit trickier.

Thankfully, I had least had the side of the hotpod to cling to in case of emergency, and prevent me from toppling into Katy, whose posture was more graceful and stable than mine.

The heat was also an inevitable factor – and it was a blessing for those around me that I had remembered to at least put deodorant on beforehand.

But on a serious note, I exited the hotpod feeling significantly suppler than when I had entered.

Indeed, the stiffness, aches, and pains that had plagued me since the previous weekend’s rugby game were almost all but forgotten.

The session had been so much more than a test of flexibility. It had examined my powers of concentration, core stability, cardiovascular endurance, and balance – and furthermore, it had been thoroughly enjoyable.

Kerry advised us to consume water in the hours that followed, and admittedly, my failure to regularly consume during the session had left me somewhat dehydrated.

“Some clients may be nervous to start with which is understandable,” she told me.

“But once they’ve tried it they tend to enjoy themselves and come back.”

I can see why. My first experience of yoga had immediately showed me the benefits, and left me seriously considering regular sessions to help combat the inevitable knocks and injuries that have plagued my latter rugby years.

And it had also confirmed something that deep down, I already knew. Like so many others, I had been guilty of overlooking the importance of stretching for much of my sporting career.

But above all else, the evening left me in no doubt that yoga is not pointless, is not for wimps, and is definitely not just for girls.

THE Hotpod Yoga company run weekly classes at Crundale Hall, Bloomfield House Community Centre (Narberth), Small World Theatre (Cardigan), Pill Social Centre (Milford), Regency Hall (Saundersfoot), and Llechryd Coracle Hall - and clients can book themselves onto individual classes or make block bookings.

Anyone interested can book under the ‘West Wales’ option on www.hotpodyoga.com. More information is available on the Hotpod Yoga West Wales Facebook page and Kerry’s Twitter account, @HotpodWestWales.