Stephen Watson knows men's fashion. As Vogue Men's fashion editor for 16 years he's seen the height of what the men's industry had to offer and worked under Grace Coddington as well as, styled for photographer's like Steven Meisel. As a freelance consultant for the luxury men's brand Hamilton, he honed and styled the collection for the dapper CEO. He is one of New York's top menswear experts. But when it came to yoga he felt frustrated by the lack of men's yoga gear while practicing. So he embarked on creating a line of yoga gear for men— simple, performance pieces for "hot yoga" that hit the right note for men. If you're into broga then Moonandson is a must. Below are his tips that will help you in your practice. Ommm.
Go-to Yoga Studio
Jivamukti near Union Square is my go-to Yoga studio. The classes run about an hour and half so it really feels worth the trek all the way from Brooklyn to Manhattan. My favorite teacher there is Matthew Lombardo, he has a really irreverent sense of humor which makes attending his classes a lot of fun. In Brooklyn I love attending Brooklyn Yoga Project in Carroll Gardens and Tangerine in Boerum Hill.
Practice Prep
I like to do yoga in the morning, always on an empty stomach. I’ll try and be ready at least an hour before, drink a couple glasses of water, and try and get to the studio early. I like to be situated in the studio and ready to go while everyone else is shuffling in. I pack a mat, a non-slip mat towel, and a small terry hand towel for drying off and using as a prop when needed.
Broga vs Yoga
There is no difference in the classes for men & women...I think the only difference is flexibility. Men’s and women’s bodies just perform differently, especially in the hips and shoulders. I’m always envious of ladies pigeon pose—it seems to come a bit easier for girls.
Moon and Son: Yoga Clothes for Men
Moon and Son started out of my own personal frustration with finding the right clothing to wear to class. I like doing yoga in a heated room which adds another set of tricky elements for getting the right kind of stuff. Super stretchy, nothing too absorbent, light and unobtrusive. I wanted the clothes to be super practical, and perform well in difficult poses when a certain amount of modesty is called upon. I also wanted to create yoga gear that felt a bit more ‘New York City’ and less typically "hippy crunchy".
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How is Moon and Son Different
Moon & Son is fabric, performance, and simplicity. I made a basic style short, super functional in a super hot yoga room. They fit a bit loose, aimed at a regular guy, but maybe someone with a sense of style & humor. I see a new generation of guys showing up for classes, the line sort of reflects the guys I see here in Brooklyn.
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