Yoga is a form of exercise that has been around for many, many years. It’s a healthy way to build muscle and strength, but it’s also a great way to ground yourself and focus on your body and mental wellness. With that in mind, you might be wondering how often you should include yoga in your routine for the best benefit. In general, you should listen to your body and include a yoga session as often as feels comfortable for you.
But Keep the Following Things in Mind as You Start Doing Yoga:
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Your Goal
What are you hoping to accomplish from yoga? What do you see it doing for your body and mind? The answers to these questions can help you tailor a yoga routine that best suits your purposes. There’s no one size fits all answer to how often you should be doing yoga. For example, if you’re using yoga to the mood benefits, you may include it in your routine more often than if you’re hoping to get stronger with a regular yoga session.
2. Yoga and Mood
One of the top benefits of a regular yoga routine is that it can boost your mood and induce feelings of calm and relaxation. In fact, many people choose yoga for that reason, with the physical benefits being an additional perk. Yoga can also improve sleep and reduce stress, so it makes sense to have a session every day if your main goal is the mood benefits it carries.
3. Yoga for Flexibility
Another reason to give yoga a try is for its flexibility enhancement. Many yoga asanas require a great deal of flexibility and you’ll want to start with beginner ones and then build your way to more difficult poses. Along the way, you can expect to loosen your body so it’s more flexible. You might also notice that you have fewer muscle aches and better posture. In terms of flexibility, three to five yoga sessions per week should offer the results you’re looking for.
4. Yoga for Strength
It might not be as fast paced as other forms of exercise, but make no mistake that yoga requires a good deal of strength. Power yoga is an especially good choice if your goal is to get stronger. In these cases, it’s best to limit your yoga sessions to three per week, with at least a day in between to give your body a chance to recover. As you get stronger, you’ll notice that you can hold poses for longer, helping you gauge your progress along the way.
5. Yoga Cautions
Despite the many perks of a consistent yoga routine, there are some things to keep in mind. You can get injured, despite the slower nature of yoga so be cautious of the risk of repetitive use injuries and stress injuries. You shouldn’t feel pain during yoga. If you do, it’s best to stop and rest so you don’t hurt yourself further. It’s also important to use quality equipment, such as Yoga Studio yoga mats, so that you can keep good form throughout your session.
