For all you yogis out there—or if you are a new yoga lover, welcome—a question can arise when doing yoga: How many days a week should I do yoga?
Is there such a thing as too much yoga? Is there such a thing as not enough yoga? In my experience, I’ll admit to only having at most two classes a week, but recently I have only had the time for one session per week at home.
So, how many days a week should I do yoga?
The answer really depends on your lifestyle and what works best for you. According to MindBodyGreen, it is best to practice yoga regularly, especially for beginners. Going to the studio or classes at least three times a week can help with learning the techniques and instructions in order to more efficiently find the correct postures and alignments. By following a regular practice and routine, your body will not only be more familiar with the motions of yoga, but your mind will also be able to quickly learn the various poses. From three minutes to twenty minutes or more each day, any form of yoga practice can help. Even a small amount daily can be useful.
Should I do more yoga if I want to lose weight?
While more yoga is a great start at losing weight and getting familiar with one’s body and mental health, there is also a need to find balance with other resources. Along with yoga, there is also a need to balance a healthy diet as well as doing other forms of exercise. In other words, you can stay in shape by doing yoga, but doing more yoga in order to lose weight is not a healthy approach. Instead, yoga involves balance, both in the literal sense of finding stability in a pose and in the metaphorical sense of one’s lifestyle.
What if I can’t do yoga for more than one day per week? How much is not enough/too much yoga?
Taking the time and consistently going to class may be challenging, especially with how busy our lives can get. However, even one day a week is beneficial to your overall health.
I tend to find time once a week to do yoga at home. I go on my computer and look up YouTube videos for yoga instructional videos. Currently, I am challenging myself with the “30 Days of Yoga” created by Yoga With Adriene. Because each day can bring different difficulties or trials, it is understandable to only be able to do yoga once a week.
On the other hand, for those of you who practice yoga daily and find your feet on the mat more than on the ground, that’s fine, too. It is all about what is best for you. Your personal goals and schedules differ from other individuals, which is why managing your time to do yoga will also vary. Yoga is more than an exercise routine and can be considered therapeutic, which is great! There is no explicit or set answer.
Because there is no concrete answer, the question, “How much is not enough/too much yoga?” really depends on you personally. Just make sure to keep a balance between what you need and want.
In conclusion…
Yoga is much more than a workout it is a lifestyle, which is why it is important to maintain a regular practice. By practicing asanas, or yoga postures, even just once a week as I do can help with stability and flexibility. So, it is not so much a matter of how many days are needed to practice yoga but a matter of routine and finding what is best for your personal schedule. Yoga allows for the ability to familiarize yourself with your body and being aware of what you are feeling and controlling the emotions, which is why Greatist argues how important even a single class is for once a week.
The answer to the question “How many days a week should I do yoga” is variable; it is something that one should think about and consider. Don’t pick a schedule because everyone else is doing it or they have an insane amount of hours spent at the studio. Instead, work around your busy life and consider what you want and what you are looking for when doing yoga because only you can decide what is best for you. Enjoy your time and namaste.
If you would like more information or an additional online yoga video session visit: Karen Fabian’s YouTube Channel.
