What's The Best Time To Do Yoga?

Answer: Some yoga traditions, such as the Ashtanga system of Pattabhi Jois, advocate doing yoga asanas early in the morning, if possible before the sun rises. In Light on Yoga, B.K.S. Iynegar advises doing yoga early in the morning or late in the evening, noting that there are advantages to each.

While an early morning practice has many things to recommend it, including a compatibility with doing yoga on an empty stomach and the virtue of getting your day off to a good start, it may not be practical for the busy, working folks of the world (“householders,” in traditional yoga parlance). Just because you don’t want to get up before the crack of dawn doesn’t mean you should write off yoga. You’ve probably noticed that yoga studios offer classes throughout the day: a 6:00 am class to catch the early risers, a quick lunch hour class, a 6:00 pm class that caters to the after-work crowd. Let yoga fit into your schedule, not vice versa. For kicks, try noticing how poses do feel different at different times of day. You may be stiffer in the morning, but more weary in the evening. Find the time that works best for you.