Morning vs Evening Yoga: What's the Best Time for Your Body and Mind?
Whoever thought that a 5,000 year old ancient tradition would become the healing source for millions of people across the globe? Yoga, a practice of exercise originating from India involves consistent coordinated movements of the body and mind to help people improve not only their physical but also mental and emotional health.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
It has become so popular and effective that in 2014, the United Nations proclaimed June 21 as the
. While some love beginning their day with yoga, others prefer ending it with exercise.
While the forms of yoga remain similar, the time differs. Does it matter and which time is better for your body and mind- morning or evening? Let's find out.
Why morning yoga ?
Image credits: Getty Images
Beginning the day with an hour or more of yoga makes people feel energized and active to tackle the rest of their busy day.
'Starting your day with yoga in the morning is a guaranteed way to activate your muscle groups, energize your whole body, as well as stimulate the mind. Surya namaskar, or sun salutations, in the morning, are considered the best wake-up call for your body and mind. This ensures that you remain alert and focused throughout the day, translating into better productivity.
" said Himalayan Siddhaa Akshar, yoga guru and founder of Akshar Yoga Kendraa.
Benefits of morning yoga
Image credits: Getty Images
Doing yoga in the morning is known to awaken the body and the mind as it activates the circulation of oxygen throughout the body and increases alertness and readiness.
It also improves digestion and metabolism by burning calories early in the morning.
Mindful breathing practices in the early morning channelise your thoughts and clear brain fog.
Mornings are much calmer and less noisy than evenings, thus you can build a routine of yoga every day and do it without any distractions.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
Lastly, doing yoga around dawn, which is known as the Brahma muhurta aligns with yogic wisdom.
Why evening yoga ?
Image credits: Getty Images
When compared to morning yoga, evening yoga is aimed at relaxation rather than energization. At this time, your body has moved around a lot and the mind has worked in ten different aspects. Thus, for a more relaxed feeling and sleep, people practice yoga to calm down.
Benefits of evening yoga
Image credits: Getty Images
One of the biggest benefits of evening yoga is that at this time you can try out a lot of big stretching postures as the body is flexible after a day of movement.
It relaxes tight and sore muscles and helps centre the mind.
Most people practice yoga in the evening to deal with restless sleep as it helps lower the cortisol level, thus ensuring a deep sleep and a more energized and active morning.
As mentioned before, yoga is not only effective on physical and mental health but also emotional health. After a long day of stress and anxiety-inducing events and conversations, balancing your emotions with an hour of yoga, helps you deal with them in a positive manner.
Morning yoga or Evening yoga: Which is better?
Image credits: Getty Images
It all depends on your routine. For people who have more time in the mornings, morning yoga can be a good start for the day. However, for those who have rushed mornings and are more comparatively free during the evening, evening yoga is great.
For people who like discipline and routine, morning yoga can be a better option as it aligns with a consistent routine and can be done every morning. But for people who thrive in the evenings, evening yoga can be perfect.
Ideally, one should practice both morning and evening yoga. You can experiment with the timings depending on your needs for energization or calmness.
If you don't have the time to do both, then try practicing in the morning for one week and evening for another and see which makes the mind and body feel better.
No matter what the time is, it is more vital to practice yoga regularly as it ensures your positive health.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Odisha govt planning to include yoga in school curriculum, public health programmes: CM
Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Saturday said the state government is taking initiatives to include yoga in the school curriculum and public health programme as this helps create a healthy, self-reliant and efficient India. Addressing a state-level programme on the occasion of International Yoga Day at Kalinga Stadium here, he said yoga is not just a physical exercise but something that keeps the body, mind and soul active. The programme, organised by Odisha's Sports and Youth Affairs Department, was attended by over 10,000 people, including ministers, lawmakers, bureaucrats, students, women and others. "In Odisha, we are making yoga available to everyone. We organise awareness campaigns on yoga in schools, colleges, hostels and sporting centres. We can also include yoga in school curriculum and public health programmes," the chief minister said. Majhi said that the awareness programmes on yoga teach people to maintain a healthy life. Though yoga has been practised in India for many years, Prime Minister Narendra Modi ensured its international recognition after assuming charge as the PM in 2014, he said. Due to the PM's efforts, the United Nations declared June 21 as the International Yoga Day, he said. The chief minister said that yoga is "not just a physical exercise, but something that keeps body, mind and soul active". "Yoga is a medium to attain physical, intellectual, mental and spiritual fulfilment. It is beneficial for human bodies," he said. The theme of this year's International Yoga Day is 'Yoga for One Earth , One Health', which highlights the deep connection between personal well-being and the health of the planet. "It shows how the ancient yoga practice nourishes not only the body and mind but also nature and promotes a harmonious lifestyle that respects all living beings," he said. On this occasion, the traditional Gotipu dance was performed by the culture department. Internationally acclaimed sand artist Padma Shri Sudarsan Pattnaik has created a sand sculpture of Prime Minister Narendra Modi performing Ustrasana (Camel Pose) on the Puri sea beach.
The Hindu
4 hours ago
- The Hindu
Yoga Day observed at United Nations and Times Square with mass participation
Eminent physician and wellness author Deepak Chopra led a guided meditation session at the United Nations headquarters on Friday evening as part of the 11th International Day of Yoga celebrations, hosted by the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations. Colourful yoga mats lined the North Lawns of the UN headquarters, where over 1,200 participants—including diplomats, UN officials, members of the diplomatic corps, and the Indian diaspora—gathered to take part in the event. India's Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador P. Harish, in his welcome address, said this year's theme—'Yoga for One Earth, One Health'—draws from the approach introduced during India's G20 presidency in 2023. 'The theme underscores the vital truth that our personal wellness and planetary wellness are inseparably linked. In caring for ourselves, we begin to care for Earth, reflecting the enduring Indian ethos of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam', or the whole world is one family,' Mr. Harish said. Highlighting the relevance of yoga amidst rising stress, lifestyle disorders, and mental health challenges, he added that the practice 'offers a steady, time-tested path that helps one find calm within ourselves and live more peacefully within ourselves and with those around us.' Mr. Chopra, who led a special meditation session during the event, concluded by observing, 'As has been said many times before, God's language is silence. Everything else is poor translation. Even the guided meditation, poor translation,' drawing applause from the audience. The event also featured a Common Yoga Protocol session and an advanced demonstration of yoga, accompanied by music, conducted by the Art of Living Foundation. Earlier in the day, the Consulate General of India in New York, in partnership with the Times Square Alliance, organised a separate celebration at Times Square. Actor Anupam Kher attended the day-long celebration, known as 'Solstice at Times Square,' which featured seven yoga sessions and attracted around 10,000 participants from various nationalities. Consul General of India in New York, Binaya Pradhan, highlighted the multifaceted benefits of yoga, calling it a powerful tool for physical health, spiritual well-being, and harmony with nature. Mr. Kher, speaking at the event, said, 'From the stillness of a single breath rises the strength to heal the whole world.' The Consulate is also holding a month-long celebration of Yoga Day across the states of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Connecticut, witnessing widespread participation. In December 2014, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed June 21 as the International Day of Yoga. The resolution was proposed by India and supported by a record 175 member states, recognising the universal appeal of the practice.
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Time of India
Morning vs Evening Yoga: What's the Best Time for Your Body and Mind?
Whoever thought that a 5,000 year old ancient tradition would become the healing source for millions of people across the globe? Yoga, a practice of exercise originating from India involves consistent coordinated movements of the body and mind to help people improve not only their physical but also mental and emotional health. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now It has become so popular and effective that in 2014, the United Nations proclaimed June 21 as the . While some love beginning their day with yoga, others prefer ending it with exercise. While the forms of yoga remain similar, the time differs. Does it matter and which time is better for your body and mind- morning or evening? Let's find out. Why morning yoga ? Image credits: Getty Images Beginning the day with an hour or more of yoga makes people feel energized and active to tackle the rest of their busy day. 'Starting your day with yoga in the morning is a guaranteed way to activate your muscle groups, energize your whole body, as well as stimulate the mind. Surya namaskar, or sun salutations, in the morning, are considered the best wake-up call for your body and mind. This ensures that you remain alert and focused throughout the day, translating into better productivity. " said Himalayan Siddhaa Akshar, yoga guru and founder of Akshar Yoga Kendraa. Benefits of morning yoga Image credits: Getty Images Doing yoga in the morning is known to awaken the body and the mind as it activates the circulation of oxygen throughout the body and increases alertness and readiness. It also improves digestion and metabolism by burning calories early in the morning. Mindful breathing practices in the early morning channelise your thoughts and clear brain fog. Mornings are much calmer and less noisy than evenings, thus you can build a routine of yoga every day and do it without any distractions. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Lastly, doing yoga around dawn, which is known as the Brahma muhurta aligns with yogic wisdom. Why evening yoga ? Image credits: Getty Images When compared to morning yoga, evening yoga is aimed at relaxation rather than energization. At this time, your body has moved around a lot and the mind has worked in ten different aspects. Thus, for a more relaxed feeling and sleep, people practice yoga to calm down. Benefits of evening yoga Image credits: Getty Images One of the biggest benefits of evening yoga is that at this time you can try out a lot of big stretching postures as the body is flexible after a day of movement. It relaxes tight and sore muscles and helps centre the mind. Most people practice yoga in the evening to deal with restless sleep as it helps lower the cortisol level, thus ensuring a deep sleep and a more energized and active morning. As mentioned before, yoga is not only effective on physical and mental health but also emotional health. After a long day of stress and anxiety-inducing events and conversations, balancing your emotions with an hour of yoga, helps you deal with them in a positive manner. Morning yoga or Evening yoga: Which is better? Image credits: Getty Images It all depends on your routine. For people who have more time in the mornings, morning yoga can be a good start for the day. However, for those who have rushed mornings and are more comparatively free during the evening, evening yoga is great. For people who like discipline and routine, morning yoga can be a better option as it aligns with a consistent routine and can be done every morning. But for people who thrive in the evenings, evening yoga can be perfect. Ideally, one should practice both morning and evening yoga. You can experiment with the timings depending on your needs for energization or calmness. If you don't have the time to do both, then try practicing in the morning for one week and evening for another and see which makes the mind and body feel better. No matter what the time is, it is more vital to practice yoga regularly as it ensures your positive health.
