It is important to determine the right time to do your yoga practice. According to researches, expert advice and even scriptures, yoga or any physical activity before sunrise is the best.
It helps warm up the digestive system and help nutrients move easier through the body, causing it to metabolize carbs and fats more easily.
But due to many factors and reasons, most of us are unable to perform yoga in the morning, and opt for late evening and night sessions instead.
If you have no choice but to attend night yoga classes, at least make a habit of doing three to 12 rounds of Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutations) in the morning, before you start the day.
Early morning yoga practice gives incredible benefits to the mind, body, and soul, and most importantly, assists in weight managament. Here are the five benefits:
1) Good mood, a happier you!
An early morning session helps boost your serotonin hormone, which is known as your body's natural happy hormone. Practicing yoga in the morning will ensure you keep the happy brain chemicals flowing all day long.2) Stress buster
When you begin your day with a good yoga practice, you are less likely to get caught up with negative thoughts and vibrations. When your mind is under control and in a peaceful state, you can do what needs to be done to reconnect with the universe. Besides, a good yoga session in the morning increases the flow of oxygen to the body and the brain, increasing your focus and keeping you in a relaxed state.3) Burns calories, keeps you slim
Practicing yoga at night can help signal the body to relax. But if you practice early in the morning, on an empty stomach, the "twists and turns" when assuming yoga poses will come to you easier as the body does not have to compete with digestion. Don't be surprised if your body changes shape, and your arms, back and legs become stronger and more defined, when you do yoga in the mornings.4) Recharges energy for the day
Yoga insructor, and the founder of The Sweat Method, Jess Penesso, said that early morning yoga practice allows the body to increase energy and stay healthy and fit throughout the day. So why not start your morning session tomorrow and see the difference?5) Sharpens your mind
The main purpose of yoga, be it asana, pranayama or meditation, is to keep the mind still. As you perform morning yoga, it can silence your mental chatter and pave way more mental clarity.Nizha Periaswamy is a yoga instructor and freelance writer
Photo source: Sakthti School Of Yoga