When Is The Best Best Time For Yoga?
Yoga is an ancient practice that has been around for millennia. It is the perfect way to work out your muscles, improve your breathing, and release pent up stress. But when should you practice yoga? Should you do it early morning before work, or at night after dinner?
As with all things in life, there are no right or wrong answers - but here are some guidelines to help find what works best for you!
Is it better to do yoga in the morning or at night?
So when is the best time of day for yoga? The short answer is the time that works best for you! Both morning and evening yoga practice can be extremely beneficial. Let's take a look at the benefits of each time of day.
Benefits of yoga in the morning
Some yogis choose to practice yoga as part of their morning routine first thing in the morning. The early hours are often described as the most restorative time of day - and what better way to start the day than with a few of your favourite yoga poses.
Practicing yoga in the morning has a number of benefits. One is that it can help you wake up and get ready for the day ahead (even if you're not a morning person). It also helps to energize your body and mind, which will make starting your morning routine (brushing teeth, getting dressed) much easier.
What is the ideal time for yoga practice in the morning?
Different people have different opinions on the best time to practice yoga in the morning. Some believe that practicing early morning before the sun rises is beneficial because it allows you to take advantage of your body's natural energy.
For example, in some yoga traditions such as Ashtanga yoga by Pattabhi Jois, it is recommended to practice yoga early in the morning before sunrise. People who practice Ashtanga at home typically follow this routine.
Others argue that late mornings are better because they provide a sense of calmness and clarity before starting their day. The truth is, there isn't one perfect time for everyone - so experiment with both times and figure out what works best for you!
Benefits of yoga afternoon
Practising yoga in the afternoon before dinner can help you relax after a long day and build an appetite. If you like to practise yoga in between meals, make sure to wait 2–3 hours after eating before doing so.
Furthermore, later in the day, your muscles may be more warmed up than first thing in the morning, when you may feel stiffer. If your muscles are looser later in the day than when they are stiff, you may be able to focus more on improving your flexibility.
When you do yoga in the afternoon, you typically get the best of both worlds. If you have extra energy at this time, it's an excellent opportunity to do a tough, energetic practice like a vinyasa flow or some ashtanga yoga.
Benefits of yoga in the evening
Practising yoga in the evening is another common option. Evening yoga can help you to wind down after a long day at work or school, and relax before bedtime. A night-time yoga routine will allow your body to rest after several hours of activity on the go.
Another reason you might want to practice yoga at night is that it can help you fall asleep faster and get more restful sleep. Calming your mind and body with yoga before bedtime helps signal to the brain that it is time for sleeping, which makes falling asleep easier.
Try out some poses that will help you feel relaxed and prepare you for a good night’s sleep, like a standing forward fold, seated spinal twist or happy baby pose.
Morning vs evening yoga practice
There are benefits to both morning and evening practices - but it all depends on what works for you personally. You may find that one time of day helps with certain aspects of mental health (easing anxiety), while the other offers better flexibility in the physical body.
Yoga's many benefits make it an amazing way to start each new day no matter when you choose to practice! Try different times until you find what feels best for you. Just remember that consistency is key!
Best time to do yoga for weight loss
When it comes to weight loss, timing is everything.
If you want to torch calories and lose weight, the best time to do yoga is in the morning before breakfast on an empty stomach.
This way you are prioritising your yoga routine and ensuring that you have the energy to get the most out of your class. If you practise in the evening, you might find yourself skipping a class if you feel tired after a long day at school or work.
For more information about yoga for weight loss, check out our article “Can you get ripped with yoga?”.
When should you not do yoga?
Do not practice yoga if you have a fever or are feeling ill. You should also avoid practising yoga if you feel exhausted, weak, very cold or too hot.
Yoga can be dangerous for those with high blood pressure and pregnant women. If this is your first time doing yoga it's best to speak to an instructor before beginning as they will be able to guide you.
Certain medical conditions may also be a reason to avoid yoga. If you have any of the following conditions it's best to speak to your doctor before practising yoga:
Ear infections (fluid in ears)
Heart disease or angina, high cholesterol and diabetes
People who suffer from osteoporosis should also not do yoga
How many hours a day do yogis do yoga?
There is no specific amount of hours that a yogi needs to practice because there is no predetermined path to becoming a “yogi”. To be called a yogi, you simply must be skilled in the physical components of the practice.
Most novice yogis start with an hour-long practise three times a week, but you can vary the number of hours you practise as needed.
Once you've acquired a high level of skill, the major goal is to keep practicing in order to maintain and improve your skills. For some, this involves dedicating many hours per day to yoga practice.
Others may only be able to devote a few hours per week - and that’s okay!
No matter how much or how little you practice, the key to getting the most out of yoga is dedication and consistency.
The wrap-up
So, what is the best time of day to practice yoga? It’s really up to you. There are benefits to practicing both in the morning or evening. If mornings are your thing then do it! And if evenings work better because that's when you have more energy - go for it!
What matters most is making sure you're doing something every day so don't be afraid to mix things up a bit with different times of the day. You might even find yourself reaching new levels on your mat by switching things up now and again.
