How Often Should You Practice Yoga?

When first starting classes, students frequently ask how often they "should" practice yoga. For many people, practicing an hour of yoga two or three times a week offers many benefits while easily become a part of your larger fitness routine. However, that doesn't work for everyone, because there is no "right amount" of yoga.

There's no "should" in yoga

Let's go back to the initial question and take out the "should." There is no rule stating how often you need to practice yoga. No one is going to judge you or say you aren't a "real yogi" if you don't practice x number of times each week.

One of the key goals of yoga is to learn how to listen to your body. Some days your body is up for 60 or 90 minutes of yoga. Other days it needs more of a rest or just a change of activity.

You can honor the needs of your body in several different ways. Either by limiting the days you do yoga, changing up the style of yoga you practice, or limiting the time you spend on your mat.

Yoga is one part of your total fitness routine

Yoga offers a great way to build strength, improve flexibility and quiet your mind. But it doesn't have to replace your other favorite activities. Yoga is an ideal complement to other sports and workout routines.

When planning your yoga schedule, consider how yoga fits with your other activities. You may want to alternate yoga days with the days you spend doing cardio, weight training or other exercise. Or you may find that shorter yoga sessions are easier to fit into your regular schedule.

Frequent practices maintain yoga's benefits

Generally speaking, practicing yoga more often will help you maintain its benefits, even if that means practicing for a shorter period of time during each session.

In some ways, taking just 15 to 20 minutes each day to practice sun salutations or other simple yoga poses may be more beneficial than attending a more vigorous class once a week. These short daily (or nearly daily) sessions help you stay flexible and clear-headed between your longer practices.

The importance of rest days

Although some vigorous practices, like Ashtanga or vinyasa, can be quite challenging, they still use your own body weight to build strength. This means you can safely practice them every day, unlike weight training which is best with a day of rest in between.

However, your body may still benefit from taking "rest days" between more challenging practices. Especially if you are new to yoga or getting back to your mat after a long absence.

On your rest days, you do not have to skip yoga entirely. You can switch to a less physically demanding practice, such as gentle flow yoga or restorative yoga. You can also explore other areas of yoga, such as meditation or pranayama (breath control).

At the end of the day, you have to consider your own fitness goals, your physical condition and your available time when planning your yoga schedule. Any yoga is better than no yoga. And, if you do spend some time away, know that your mat is always ready and waiting for your return.