Benefits Of Yoga In The Morning
Some yoga traditions, such as the Ashtanga system of Pattabhi Jois, advocate doing yoga asanas early in the morning, if possible, before the sun rises. Many Ashtanga home practitioners stick to this routine and most Mysore-style classes are offered at this time.
Practicing yoga in the morning can give you a boost of energy and clarity and help set the tone for the rest of your day. Many people have routines that are more manageable or predictable in the morning, which can make it easier to stick with a regular morning practice. In addition, many people find that they have more energy for exercise in the morning compared to the end of a long day. Some people may also prefer to do yoga on an empty stomach to avoid cramps or indigestion.
Energetic practices are ideal in the morning to keep you alert and energized. You might opt for vinyasa flow classes that incorporate rounds of sun salutations or try invigorating backbends like wheel pose or inversions such as headstand or handstand .
The Best Time To Practice Yoga Is The Time That Will Keep You Coming Back To Your Mat
Its that simple. Heres why you should choose a time that keeps you coming back.
The benefits of a yoga practice unfold over time.
Yoga can help to develop strength, flexibility, and correct alignment within the body if practiced consistently.
It takes longer than a traditional workout or intensive stretching session because a beginner practice is usually gentler than the gym.
Yoga has enormous positive impact on our minds and mental health, too. It teaches us how to stay present with how we feel in our bodies.
A consistent practice encourages you to refine your awareness of your body and your feelings. If you only practice once every few weeks, it is challenging to maintain that type of awareness.
Consistency is key to gaining these benefits. Coming back to your mat at the same time and place over and over creates memory links that reinforce what youve already learned.
Youll progress faster in your practice. Youll start to see the benefits of yoga in your personal life, too.
Here are guidelines for choosing your practice time:
- Choose a time that keeps you consistent & committed
- Allow your goals, lifestyle, and body rhythms to shape practice times
- There is no one best time, but ancient yogis prefer early morning
- Different asanas work best for different times of day & different seasons
- Its better to practice daily than to be a weekend warrior
Well go through each in the article.
Benefits Of Practicing Yoga In The Evening:
Its not always possible to practice yoga in the morning. Ifyou are not able to include yoga in your morning routine due to job or familycommitments, dont fret just yet. Evening time is another excellent time topractice yoga and offers several benefits.
Practicing evening yogahelps you in winding up your busy day by soothing your mind. Additionally, devoting time to yoga in the evening might help in controlling bad habits like binge tv-watching or snacking. Similarly, if you make it a routine to do yoga at bedtime, it prepares your mind and body for a sound sleep. While practicing yoga in the evening, you must select gentle poses to soothe your senses.
Read Also: Calories Burned In Hot Yoga Calculator
The Yogic Masters Practiced In The Twilight Zone
While yogis these days espouse the idea of practicing at the best time for you, its interesting to note that the ancient yoga masters of India championed an early morning or twilight hour practice.
The same view persists today: the ashrams I lived on in India for some years typically began the practice around 4 or 5 AM.
From a logistic standpoint, an early morning practice makes sense. The world is quiet. The mind is quiet. It is easy to focus on asana and pranayama.
From an energetic standpoint, the energy of the world transitions at the times of sunrise and sunset. It becomes easier to tune into your own changes if the world is transforming around you.
For those who wish to dive in even deeper into yoga as a spiritual practice, the time of Brahma Muhurta is for you. This is the witching hour between 3:00 AM and sunrise when the pineal gland or third eye is said to be most active.
Sadhguru says that, The Brahma Muhurta is the best time if you want to transcend your physical nature or know the dimensions we refer to as spiritual.
My last teacher told us that practicing during Brahma Muhurta was akin to taking the elevator up to spiritual understanding while everyone else walks the stairs. Ive been happy with my stairs so far. Let me know if you choose the elevator.
Yoga Benefits In The Evening:
The ideal night yoga class ought to relieve and loosen up you in the wake of a difficult day. An after-work yoga class is a marginally extraordinary story youll be prepared to move around, open your heart, and possibly move topsy-turvy. In case youre honing later at night, in any case , youll need to oppose moving into huge heart openers and stimulating reversals.
No doubt, your teacher will control you into calming surrender stances like a half pigeon and situated forward overlay. Turns are extraordinarily unwinding at night also. Your teacher may signal profound heart openers, so simply make sure to measure how you feel and what you require.
Begin focusing on which stances influence your vitality levels at which time of day, and this will enable you to rehearse precisely what your body needs. Keep in mind you are your best guide!
These are the benefits the best time to do yoga morning or night now you have to choose the ideal time for you that might be effective for you. So choose wisely
Check Related Article:-
Recommended Reading: How Long Should I Hold A Yoga Pose
When Is The Best Time To Do Yoga
When Is the Best Time to Do Yoga?
Check with your doctor before starting any exercise routine.
You can do yoga in the morning and / or in the evening, but you need to understand that the goals of the morning and evening classes are different. By exercising in the morning, a person prepares for the day ahead, recharging with energy.Evening classes serve general health and recovery functions. Therefore, since the tasks are different, then both the morning and evening practice should also look different!
Morning classes.It often happens that in the morning we are in a hurry. If you do yoga in the morning, remember not to rush! At this time, especially immediately after sleep, you need to take the warm-up very seriously in the morning the flexibility of the body is lower and the likelihood of injuries to the ligaments, joints and spine is high. Therefore, we warm up the body, we warm it up very well. If there is no time to warm up, it is better to postpone the session.
How to recharge in the morning for the whole day?The key is to get our sympathoadrenal system to work.If you have slept well, then in the morning there will be enough adrenaline to actively spend the day. If your body and psyche have not sufficiently recovered, there will not be enough adrenaline and, as a result, performance will decrease and you will feel sleepy during the day.
When To Do Yoga
If you are learning yoga for the first time, chances are that you would ask if yoga is synonymous with just physical exercises or a set of sitting postures. YouTube videos showing yoga students nailing the perfect triangle pose like a pro or bending their body to form the downward facing dog posture have prompted many people to get enrolled in yoga schools or visit yoga retreats. Others still inquire about the best time for yoga and the asanas that should be practiced more than others.
The answer is that there is no good or bad time to practice yoga postures. Moreover, you benefit more from practicing regularly, be it in the morning or evening. You may choose to practice yoga early in the morning or just before going to bed, depending on your convenience. However, the choice of yoga asanas is crucial as per your timings as practicing mind-stimulating postures just before going to bed can disturb your sleep pattern.
Some people schedule their yoga sessions in sync with their professional schedules, while others keep it erratic depending on how much they get to practice. Though there may be a myriad of factors affecting your yoga session timings, you must practice asanas as per your schedule and body rhythm. Some start their day with yoga sessions regularly in the morning to keep their bodies and minds energized. However, for some, yoga is a unique way to unwind after the days hard work and consequent stress.
Don’t Miss: How Many Calories Burned In 1 Hour Hot Yoga
What Is The Best Time For Yoga
It is a known fact that you would gain more from your yoga sessions in the morning. Various researches surrounding yoga and its benefits have revealed how regular yoga sessions in the morning can help you rejuvenate and keep you energized. Though yoga can be practiced at any hour of the day, the preferred or right time to do yoga is during morning due to the following benefits:
Enhances metabolism: One of the greatest benefits of practicing yoga asanas in the morning is that it enhances your metabolism. While waking up early in the morning for your regular yoga bouts may be difficult, a 30-minute yoga workout can work wonders as it stimulates your metabolic rate for the entire day. Besides, doing yoga on an empty stomach has a relieving effect on your bowel movement including a few twists and turns in your conventional yoga postures can help improve your digestive system.
Keeps you fit: If you are overweight, a regular session of yoga, especially in the morning, can help. While the various yoga asanas can keep you toned, practicing yoga early in the morning on an empty stomach can relieve you of your weight issues.
Lowers body ache: Wrong sleeping posture resulting in lingering backache or severe neck pain can ruin your day. Try out some yoga asanas to get rid of the pain. Starting your day with meditation or following some particular asanas that involve stretching of the limbs will help you feel better without being dependent on medication.
How Long Should You Practice
Every day for the rest of your life! I had to say it. Im a teacher.
The ideal duration of a daily practice depends on you.
Know that doing some practice is better than no practice or cramming it on the weekend. Its more beneficial to hop on your mat for five minutes of breath work and five minutes of stretching than to ignore your mat that day or save it until the weekend.
Keep your goals in mind when deciding how long you want to practice. Are you trying to achieve physical, mental, or personal growth goals?
A yogi is more likely to be able to fit into her old skinny jeans if she practices for 30 minutes four times a week than if she practices for one hour twice a week. Thats biology.
Similarly, youll be more focused at home or at work if you take the time to sit in meditation each morning for a few minutes. Even five is better than trying to sit for 30 minutes once a week and suffering through it.
Consider personal growth goals, too. Was it your objective this year to throw yourself 100% into a new activity? How about using yoga as a way to connect with new friends? Creating a consistent habit to practice will help you get to where you want to be.
You May Like: How To Lose Weight With Yoga At Home
How Practicing Yoga Every Day Changed My Life
Since Ive made Yoga a habit, Ive noticed a change in my overall mood. A strong mindset is everything if you want to sustain a positive outlook on the things that happen to and around you.
Your mind is one of the most important assets and keeping it in the right place will help you get through those tough curve balls life can throw at us.
Six years ago, I started doing yoga each morning and now I do it morning and night for about ten to twenty minutes. Bottom line: Yoga can save your life, and it did mine. Thank goodness I did that because three years ago, my lung collapsed on a flight and almost died. It was traumatic and scary but I focused on doing as much breathing as my lungs allowed.
But even in the midst of the scary situation, my Yoga-strength lifted me up and out of that chair so I could get to a hospital. Looking back, I see how Yoga carried me through the trauma.
Mental and physical strength go hand-in-hand but mentally, you have to be in a good mind-frame to move through those hardships.
Evening Yoga Can Help Unwind
Early morning routines can be hectic for some people. Committing yourself to a regular yoga session in the morning can be difficult. In that case, you will not regret squeezing in a few hours of evening sessions every week. With no rush to complete the yoga session, time spent on stretching and breathing exercises can help you relax after a long and busy day of toil.
Add to the practice session some twists and turns, forward and backward movements, and inversions and you will feel energized for the rest of the evening.
Evening workouts can also help you get rid of unwanted bad habits of snacking or staying glued in front of the television screen for long hours. Replace snacking or sitting for long hours with daily yoga practice, and you will see the fat around your waist melting away.
Also Check: Does Hot Yoga Burn A Lot Of Calories
Tips For Practicing Yoga Late At Night
- Be committed to attending class treat it like any other scheduled appointment
- Dont eat for at least two hours before class
- If youre absolutely starving, try a light, late afternoon/early evening snack
- Use late-night classes, when your muscles are warmer, to really find your physical edge in terms of depth
- Do your best to still your mind for 90 minutes, no matter the events of the day
- Leave all your stress in the hot room
Practising Yoga In The Morning
If youre a morning person, or you tend to have a few moments of peace to yourself in the mornings, then it makes sense to enjoy yoga at this time. A morning routine can help you clear your mind and awaken your body for the day ahead.
A key benefit to morning yoga is that an early morning session can help to refresh the body if you tend to feel stiff after waking up. Doing yoga first thing also offers the additional benefit of an empty stomach no one wants to be twisting their body round or lying tummy-down on the floor after a meal!
Another argument in favour of morning yoga is that not only does it set the tone for your day, but it can also ensure that you get it done! If you decide to do an evening routine, then it can be tempting to push it back or let other chores and activities get in the way of your relaxation time.
Finally, some choose to enjoy yoga in the morning because it tends to be cooler then. By doing yoga in the morning, you may be able to work out for longer, as you may not get as hot.
Also Check: Does Yoga Help You Lose Weight
When Is The Best Time To Do Yoga And For How Long
While the time of day you practice yoga will depend on your preference, how long you practice will depend on factors such as your schedule, level of physical activity, and any exercise goals you might have. Although most yoga classes are 60 minutes, there are also 45-, 75, and 90-minute classes available, as well as shorter options if you’re short on time. Research shows that just 20 minutes of yoga a day is still enough to reap the benefits of the practice.
You can also benefit by taking just a few minutes each day to do a simple yoga routine that includes poses like downward dog , standing forward bend , and cat-cow stretches.
Strengthen Your Immune System
If your job or commute requires being around other people, you would be well served by a morning yoga practice. Health and wellness expert Sophie Jaffe notes how stress is a leading cause of sickness especially when it comes to our immune system. When we let stress control our lives were more susceptible to health problems. Yoga has been shown to help lower stress hormones , calms the nervous system, and starts your day in a more mindful, intentional space. In stretching and moving, we release any stagnant energy stuck within our cells, allowing it to remove harmful toxins in our bodies.
If you dont have time for a full practice in the morning, you can opt for practicing a few targeted asanas to boost your immune system. Jaffe tells us that a Downward Dog encourages more blood flow to the sinuses and a Standing Backbend strengthens the lungs, keeps the nasal passage open for breath and detoxifies the adrenal glands which can often become exasperated due to stress. Inverted poses like Shoulder Stand, Plow pose, and Bridge pose are also great to boost the lymphatic system to help ward off coughs and colds.
Don’t Miss: Calories Burned Doing Vinyasa Yoga
