Yoga’s benefits are undeniable, but the best time of day to do yoga can vary. Some people prefer doing it in the morning when everyone is fresh and awake. Others enjoy early evening during their sunset meditation before bedtime.
The “best time to do yoga” is a question that has been asked for years. The answer, however, may be different depending on your goals and needs. Some people might prefer morning or night to practice yoga.
I’ve heard as many ideas as there are yogis about why it’s better to do yoga first thing in the morning, at lunch, in the afternoon, or before bed… “Yoga practice in the morning is preferable since our equilibrium is stronger in the morning,” says the author. “Afternoon yoga is excellent since your joints are warmed up…” ‘ ‘ “Are you attempting to reduce weight? Oh, and if you want to speed up your metabolism, you should do yoga first thing in the morning on an empty stomach “.. ⠀ Confused? I’d be nervous if I were a newcomer navigating the strange yoga environment.
Continue reading to discover:
- the advantages of doing yoga in the morning vs. in the evening
- Which yoga should you perform first thing in the morning and which should you do later?
- When it’s not a good idea to perform yoga
- the actual answer to the question of when is the optimum time to practice yoga
Table of Contents
Is it better to perform yoga in the morning or in the evening?
“The optimal time to practice is either early in the morning or late in the evening,” says B.K.S. Iyengar.
Morning yoga practice will sharpen your attention and prepare you for the day ahead, or as Iyengar puts it, “makes one work better in one’s profession.” If you do yoga in the morning, choose a practice that is both demanding and energetic. Stimulative asanas include Headstand and Shoulderstand, for example.
According to Iyengar, evening yoga lowers weariness and relaxes the nervous system. Forward Folds like Paschimottanasana will relax your body and mind, preparing you for a comfortable night’s sleep.
Why is it beneficial to practice yoga first thing in the morning?
Many individuals find morning yoga to be more difficult and demanding. Not only is it difficult to persuade yourself to get up if you’re not a morning person, but our bodies are also stiffer and less malleable when we first get up. This aspect alone makes asana practice seem to be a lot more difficult.
Morning yoga practice, on the other hand, is an opportunity to start your day off correctly. The early morning yoga practice is recommended by the Astanga yoga tradition because the mind is clear, the body is fresh after sleeping, and the air is pure.
Here are some of the advantages of doing yoga in the morning:
- softly awakens you and relaxes tense muscles
- keeps you from overstretching
- boosts your energy
- helps you create a daily aim or goal
- enables you to begin your day with some self-care
- Your body and mind will be disciplined.
When should I do yoga in the morning?
You should get up before dawn, according to Ayurveda. Getting up early is said to provide your body and mind a boost of energy while also allowing you to enjoy solitude and calm. Morning yoga and meditation are also best done at this time.
The Sun was traditionally regarded as the center of the universe in yoga. As a result, we have Surya Namaskar, a physical exercise that must be done before dawn in order to worship the sun.
However, contemporary life is chaotic, and following the counsel of ancient classics is not always practicable. The ideal method is to practise morning yoga as soon as possible after waking up, either before breakfast or at least half an hour after eating.
Is it possible to practise yoga shortly after waking up?
Yes, you can practise yoga first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. In fact, most yoga traditions recommend starting your day with a yoga practice because it helps you prepare for the day ahead before the hustle and bustle of life starts.
If you feel lightheaded or nauseated when training, your blood sugar is likely too low and your body needs some sustenance. Here are some suggestions on what to eat before your morning yoga session.
Which yoga poses are ideal to do first thing in the morning?
Morning yoga should be chosen based on your specific objectives and daily routine.
Gentle activity to wake you up and shift the energy in your body will most likely be beneficial. So, if you have the option of choosing between restful restorative yoga and soft Hatha, choose Hatha.
Some individuals, however, choose to start their day with a peaceful and soothing deep stretching session, such as Yin yoga. Personally, it makes me want to get back into bed.
Is it beneficial to do yoga in the evening?
Yes! The greatest approach to calm your body, soothe your nervous system, and prepare for sleep is to practice yoga in the evening before bed.
Furthermore, your body is significantly more malleable in the evening. A deep stretch yoga session before bed may undoubtedly help you achieve your aim of increased flexibility.
The following are some of the advantages of a night yoga routine:
- increased sleep quality and reduced insomnia symptoms
- stress reduction
- muscular strain is lessened
- enhanced flexibility and range of motion
- As a consequence of reduced stress and greater sleep, you’ll lose weight.
Is it okay if I practise yoga at 11 p.m.? Which yoga poses work best in the evening?
If it works for you and has no negative consequences, you may practise yoga late at night.
Practice fast and hard yoga techniques that develop strength and raise your heart rate with caution. Some individuals find that doing a physically demanding workout before bed makes it more difficult to fall asleep and reduces the overall quality of their sleep.
Is it possible for me to perform yoga in the morning and evening?
Yoga may be done in both the morning and the evening. Make sure to keep your practice balanced by including strength and balance training.
To prevent overexertion, I wouldn’t recommend doing two physically demanding yoga courses on the same day. Working the same muscles on the same day is not a smart idea since your body requires time to restore itself. Rather, arrange your yoga practice in such a way that it complements one another.
In the morning, you may take a short yoga for flexibility session and in the afternoon, you can do a longer strength-building lesson. Alternatively, in the morning, do a lengthier yoga session that focuses on increasing your heart rate and then in the evening, do a soothing Yin yoga practice.
Despite the fact that everyone believes that nights should be more calm, I prefer a brisk morning yoga flow and a lengthy heart-pumping evening flow.
When should you avoid doing yoga?
Yoga on a regular basis may be beneficial to both your mind and body. However, there are occasions when missing a yoga session or substituting meditation or breathing practice for your physical practice is a preferable option.
When should you avoid doing asana yoga?
- Exercising with an overloaded stomach after a large and fatty meal is never a good idea and may cause cramps, soreness, and bloating.
- When your muscles are tired after a recent yoga session or rigorous exercise, take a nice stroll instead; it will be better for your muscles than a strenuous yoga class.
- Your immune system is working overtime to get you well while you’re ill and/or have a high temperature. After your asana, you don’t want it to squander its valuable energy healing microtears in your muscles.
So, when is the best time to practice yoga?
Regardless of what the sacred scriptures and yoga professionals say, I’m going to tell you one important reality about yoga. It’s not about what time of day you go on the mat; it’s about how consistent and focused you are with your practice. ⠀ After all, why would you allow someone tell you how to plan your day? You are the most knowledgeable about your schedule and your body. ⠀ I couldn’t for the life of me make myself perform Sun Salutations first thing in the morning. Saluting the sun in the afternoon, on the other hand, is precisely what works for me. So let go of the rules regarding when is the best time to practice yoga and instead concentrate on discovery. See how it feels in the mind and body if you practice first thing in the morning. Does it make you feel energized and re-energized? Or are you worried because you’re in a rush or are really sleepy? ⠀ Then go ahead and practice in the evening. It’s worth noting how this differs from the AM flow. Allow yourself to have fun. ⠀ The time doesn’t really matter as long as you get a few minutes of yoga into your day and are happy with your results.