Instead of practicing it at a particular time, a lot of people do yoga whenever they have a spare moment. This, however, won’t help you get the most out of practice.
Finding the optimum time to do yoga may differ based on various factors, including health requirements, regular schedule, lifestyle, and personal preference. There are also benefits to practicing yoga at dawn, in the morning, afternoon, and evening.
We’ll cover these in this post, including some tips to help you find your best yoga practice time.
The Best Moment To Practice Yoga
The optimum moment to practice yoga varies between different people. The type of yoga you perform and your day-to-day responsibilities will affect this time.
Regarding your energy levels and daily schedule, it’s best to practice yoga when you feel energized. This will help you give your yoga practice full dedication and attention.
Think about your natural energy levels before you settle on a regular routine. Some often have a lot of excess energy before their morning commute, while others become energized once they have finished work for the day.
You should also think about which hour of the day allows you to practice without interruptions. For instance, if you are a parent, you may prefer to practice in the morning when your children are at school. This will prevent any distractions from giving complete awareness to your yoga session.
Choosing to practice yoga at dawn, morning, afternoon or evening comes with its own advantages, which we’ll cover in the next section.
Pre-Sunrise Yoga Sessions
Some yogis prefer to practice yoga before daybreak. Traditional customs involve yoga 96 minutes before the sun rises, a period known as Brahma Muhurta. Many believe this period is the most promising for promoting inner peace, mental focus, and spiritual elevation.
Sunrise comes with connotations of new beginnings, while some believe it has a link to the divine. Getting out of bed earlier than you are used to may be hard initially, but if you stick with it, the results are worthwhile.
Practicing yoga poses at Brahma Muhurta can improve your spiritual health and energy levels. The mind and body remain in a restful state with no outside distractions This lets the individual feel in harmony with their subconscious.
The daybreak aura delivers a serene environment that’s great for introspection and self-reflection.
Despite these advantages, there are some drawbacks to daybreak yoga sessions. It’s often hard to locate the drive and energy to wake up before morning.
Dark and cold morning conditions can make it difficult to practice comfortably, particularly if you live in a colder climate. If you struggle to wake up, sleepiness can make it harder to maintain positions for lengthy periods.
Morning Yoga Sessions
If you often wake up early, you may prefer morning yoga sessions. This can help you get a nice start to your day, helping you feel productive and energetic for tasks ahead.
Morning yoga sessions help form mental and physical strength, while also promoting a relaxed, stress-free foundation. This helps you view the day ahead with a perception of personal strength, which can be great for tackling harder jobs later on.
If you prefer a lively, robust type of yoga, like Vinyasa or Ashtanga, you may prefer a morning session as you have more focus and drive.
Sun salutations and backbends are great for waking your body’s muscles and increasing your heart rate. Inversions and twists are often easier on an empty stomach, like when you have just woken up.
Yogic breathing, known as Pranayama, is best carried out in the morning. This is because the physical form is well-rested, while the mind is clear and focused.
Afternoon Yoga Sessions
The afternoon is often a hard period, as low energy, mental tiredness, and work stress can all weigh up. Practicing afternoons yoga sessions may help with this, as it acts as a pick-me-up to help you through your day.
Afternoon yoga classes also tend to be quieter, allowing you to get more attention from the class teacher. This also helps you concentrate on your alignment and practice without any disturbances.
Afternoon yoga sessions are a nice way to organize the day, lower stress levels, and improve circulation. They can also help you bring awareness to your breath, remove any negative thought patterns, and reduce anxiety levels.
If you struggle with productivity in the afternoon, afternoon yoga may help you return to your desk with better focus and efficiency.
It’s also good for anyone with a busy schedule, as you can use your lunch break to practice. You only need a few minutes to perform some easy yoga poses outdoors, at your desk, or inside a spare office room.
Evening Yoga Sessions
Once the day comes to an end, several people live with restlessness and anxiety. This can make it harder to wind down and relax before bed. Evening yoga sessions can help you loosen up after a tough day so you have a better night’s sleep.
Practicing yoga in the evening also helps soothe tight muscles and bring the spine back in alignment. This is great for anyone that regularly sits down for work and spends little time standing.
If you have an evening routine, yoga can help you get off to a good start, which can help you view the following day with more focus and attention.
Practicing yoga in the evening is ideal for any night owls that struggle to wake up early. If you are practicing a milder type of yoga, like restorative or Yin, you may prefer evening sessions when your physical form is serene and relaxed.
The best poses for this period are ones that aid relaxation and balance. Practice poses that help you leave the stress of the day behind, like mild twists, forward folds, and restorative positions, like Child’s Pose.
Tips To Find Your Best Yoga Time
If you’re a beginner, you may find it hard to commit to a regular practice time. Try to find a space in the day where you don’t feel rushed, tired, or distracted. If you can, practice at a few different times to see which ones you prefer.
While there are a few benefits to practicing at a certain time of day, the optimum moment to perform yoga is one that works best for you. Yoga should fit into your lifestyle, not the other way around!
If you struggle to commit to frequent practice, set goals to practice a few times a week and use equipment, resources, and tools to reach them. Choosing a regular practice time can help you form a consistent routine, which can help you get the full benefits from yoga.
The Bottom Line
The best period to practice yoga will vary between different people.
If you’re struggling to choose a certain moment to practice a yoga session, see how various poses feel during the day. For instance, you may feel energetic in the morning, but if your muscles are tight after waking up, you may prefer to practice in the evening.
There are some benefits to practicing at daybreak, morning, afternoon, or evening, but it’s more important to ensure your practice time works with your schedule and body. This time should be a distraction-free period, so you can place full attention on your practice.
I created this website to help newcomers to yoga and enthusiasts alike, and to share our common passions for yoga.
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