It’s not hard to see how you can easily get addicted to practicing yoga! It makes you feel amazing after all.
You’ll be in a clearer mindset, you’ll feel physical benefits, and once you roll out that mat and step on it, you really feel like you’re in a safe space where all that negative energy is banished for good.
So, it’s only natural, really, that you’d want to practice yoga over, and over, and over, and over again. And to a degree, that’s fine. You can practice most days of the week and take yourself to that sweet blissful state of being.
However, fail to give yourself a rest day, opt for super intense workouts too many times in a row, or join classes above your difficulty level, and you might start to overdo it. And this can actually leave you in pretty bad shape.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what ‘too much yoga’ actually means, how to tell if you’re doing too much yoga, and the reasons why doing so can be a little risky. Ready to learn more? Then let’s begin!
Let’s Define ‘Too Much Yoga’
Okay, so as is the case with most yoga-related questions, there isn’t really a definitive answer to what is too much yoga. As in, there isn’t an actual value of minutes or days where there’s a cut-off point.
When you think about it, there are so many different forms of yoga and every person has their own level of fitness, that finding a one-size-fits-all answer is near impossible. So, the only way to know if you are overdoing it a little, really, is to just listen to your body.
While yoga by its nature is very relaxing, there is definitely still a physical element to the practice and if you push yourself and your body too far, there’s a good chance that you’ll run into issues such as injury. Especially, if you’re not allowing your body rest days.
But since there isn’t a definitive answer to what is too much yoga, it means that you’re going to have to watch out for the telltale warning signs that your body is ready for a well-deserved break. Let’s take a look at those now.
Signs You’re Doing Too Much Yoga
Yoga Is Disrupting Your Sleeping Pattern, Social Life, And Self-Care
There are two different ways that yoga might disrupt your day-to-day routine and the things that keep you well. And if either is happening, there’s a good chance you’re going a little OTT with the practice.
- It’s Always On Your Mind – If you are constantly thinking about when, where, and how you can fit your next yoga session into your schedule, you may be focusing on the practice a little too much. You should want to fit yoga into your life where you can but if you are disrupting your sleeping patterns, ignoring your social life, or forgetting self-care routines just so that you can get on the mat, there’s something not quite right. Remember you can’t reap all the benefits of yoga if you’re unwell and exhausted.
- You’re Over-Meditating – This is less common, but can still happen. If you spend a lot of your time meditating it can start to interfere with your day-to-day life and responsibilities. If you find that meditating constantly is making it harder for you to fall asleep or engage in social interactions, it’s a clear sign that you need to take a break.
You Push Yourself Too Hard And Skip Rest Days
When you first start yoga, it can be really tempting to throw yourself in wholeheartedly. And even though you have the best intentions and want to start noticing those rewards, you are actually hindering the process, not expediting it.
Pushing yourself too hard physically, for example taking multiple intense yoga classes without a break or rest day, can be super taxing for your body. It can lead to pain and fatigue in several different muscles or joints. This can then lead to overuse which then results in injuries.
And you won’t be able to do any yoga at all with injured muscles.
You’re Taking Classes Above Your Difficulty Level
This one links back to the aforementioned warning sign in many ways since taking a class above your difficulty level essentially means that you’re pushing yourself too hard. Some yoga classes can actually be pretty intense and rigorous and this can have a massive strain on your body.
If you are a beginner, you really don’t want to be opting for an advanced yoga class. It’s not going to boost your yoga benefits…it’s just going to make a muscle injury more likely.
Why Too Much Yoga Can Be Pretty Risky
So, we’ve talked briefly above about how overdoing it can lead to some nasty injuries. But let’s talk about this a little more. Many individuals see yoga as a few light stretches and a generally relaxing practice. And it can be – but not always.
People have been known to tear hamstring tendons along with a whole host of other muscle or joint injuries that can be very painful. Not only this but in some cases individuals also develop chronic ongoing pain in that area as a result.
Neck injuries are also pretty common, along with chest, lower back, knee, shoulder, and wrist accidents and injuries too.
And according to a survey, yoga teachers reported that excess effort in yoga was one of the most common causes of said injuries.
Not only will an injury like this keep you off the mat for a period of time, but it may also result in more serious consequences such as significant time off work or further issues related to the original injury.
Final Thoughts
Though yoga is a great form of exercise and an amazing way to find an improved mindset, you must still always consider the risks that come with practicing excessively. While there is no definitive answer to what is too much yoga, there are many signs to watch out for.
Essentially, you must always listen to your body and never push yourself too hard, otherwise, you might end up with a pretty serious injury.
I created this website to help newcomers to yoga and enthusiasts alike, and to share our common passions for yoga.
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