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You’ve decided to take control of your health and mental well-being by taking up yoga. Now you need to figure out how to fit it into your schedule. So what is the best time of day to do yoga?
The short answer is…it depends!
We walk you through the best time for yoga and meditation based on your personal goals along with:
• How long yoga sessions should last • How many days a week you should do yoga; and • When not to do yoga • Keep reading to learn more.
• When Is the Best Time to Do Yoga? It All Depends on You! • What Are Your Desired Benefits? • What Is the Best Time of Day to Do Yoga? • How to Decide When Is the Best Time to Do Yoga for You • 3 FAQs About When to Do Yoga • #1: How Long Should a Yoga Session Last? • #2: How Many Days a Week Should You Do Yoga? • #3: When Should You Not Do Yoga? • Body & Brain Yoga Tai Chi: Offering Online or Studio Yoga Classes When it’s the Best Time for You
What is the best time for yoga? Morning or evening, or somewhere in between? The answer to this question can be different for every person. It is dependent on your desired goals and benefits.
The reason you are doing yoga and the outcomes you seek will probably dictate the best time of day for your practice. Let’s explore this further.
• Improved strength, balance, and flexibility • Help in dealing with pain • Relaxation and improved sleep • Increased physical and mental energy • Stress management • And more
For some of these desired outcomes, the time of day you do yoga could impact your results.
Yoga can certainly be beneficial at any time of the day. But choosing the best time of day for you depends on the benefits you’d most like to receive.
One of the best parts of practicing with Body & Brain Yoga Tai Chi is that we offer classes at many different times of the day that may more easily fit into your schedule. We even offer online classes for added convenience!
If you’d like to start your day with lots of energy but have trouble achieving that state naturally, morning yoga is for you. Getting stretched out and aiming to be more mindful in the earlier hours is likely to kickstart your energy for the day.
People who tend to wake up feeling sluggish would most benefit from morning yoga sessions.
• Suffer from sleeplessness • Have an extra-long workday ahead and want to be prepared; or • Anyone else who may need an extra boost in the morning.
• Setting a good tone for the rest of the day • Taking advantage of cooler temperatures • Decluttering your mind and readying your body • Giving you a boost of energy and clarity
More easily fitting yoga into your routine by doing it first thing and avoiding conflicts that may come up later in the day Another benefit of morning yoga is that if you do it first thing—before you have eaten—you may find that some of the poses are easier to do with an empty stomach and can avoid interrupting your digestive process. More on that later!
Afternoon yoga can often provide you with the best of both worlds.
You may have more energy in the afternoons, which can allow you to get in a great session. Or you may find afternoon yoga more restorative if you need to wind down toward the end of your workday.
• It can help you de-stress. • It can help you work up an appetite before dinner. • It can help you stay awake and productive during your after-lunch energy crash.
People who have trouble turning off their brains at the end of the day may want to try practicing yoga in the evening. It can be a great way to unwind from a busy, hectic day and to find relaxation and restoration for the body and mind.
Studies have shown that yoga practice leads to better sleep, so those who are prone to sleeplessness or could just benefit from a higher quality of rest may want to give evening yoga a try.
• Having more time for practice after the day’s obligations are complete • Stress relief and emptying tension from the body • Being part of a calming bedtime ritual; and • Helping you avoid unhealthy practices like late-night snacking or too much time on electronics
Keep in mind that certain yoga movements may give you more energy, so you’ll likely want to avoid doing these later in the day.
The best time to do yoga is entirely up to you. It will be based on your personal preferences, schedule, and goals.
• What is my normal schedule like? • When do I generally feel best after doing other types of exercise? • What are my physical abilities and limitations? • What are my goals (both personal and yoga-based)? • Am I looking for a morning kickstart, evening relaxation, or something in between? • How consistent do I want to be with yoga?
You may find that there is no one time of day that always works best for you. Don’t be afraid to switch it up and see how things go. Try some mornings and some evenings and see what feels better. Experiment with different movements at different times of the day.
Ultimately, the time of day that’s best for you to do yoga is whichever one you can stick with!
Body & Brain Yoga Tai Chi is here to help you with that. We offer different types of classes at different times, both in-person and online.
If you haven’t practiced yoga before, you may be wondering about some of the logistics. Here are three of the most frequently asked questions about when to do yoga.
Most yoga sessions last around an hour, although you may practice for shorter amounts of time if you’re just starting.
Body & Brain Yoga Tai Chi offers a 50-minute private introductory session where one of our trained instructors can work with you to check your current energy condition and provide guidance on how to utilize our exercises and programs. We can help you make a plan of how to achieve your goals with the help of our practice.
If you’re a beginner, you should probably start practicing yoga twice per week for an hour each time. Any more than that is too much, too soon. You can build from there and gradually work up to your desired number of days per week—even every day if you want!
• The individual • Preferences • Goals; and • Desired benefits
While yoga can be done at pretty much any hour of the day, you want to avoid it too close to mealtimes. Doing yoga on a full stomach can both upset digestion and make certain poses harder.
Waiting at least an hour after you’ve eaten to practice yoga is good—and waiting 2 or 3 hours is even better.
You also want to make sure your bladder and bowels are as empty as possible before yoga begins.
And as we mentioned before, it’s best to avoid doing stimulating yoga close to bedtime.
Now that you’ve had some guidance on the best time of day to do yoga in a variety of scenarios, we hope you’ll have an easier time working out when it fits into your schedule.
No matter what you decide, Body & Brain Yoga Tai Chi is here to offer online or studio yoga classes that can help you incorporate this practice into your life.
Our one-on-one private introductory session is a great place to start. We’ll work together to find out what you need and set goals accordingly.
We want to get you started with yoga at your ideal time of day and keep you going toward the path to better health. Contact us today to get started.