yoga-in-the-evening

Yoga in the evening

Did you think you didn't have enough time to start yoga? Or are you a regular daytime yoga practitioner? How about practicing in the evening instead?

Nowadays, we are often short of time. So sometimes we put off what we wanted to do... But yoga doesn't have to be practiced all day long. The evening is also the ideal time to do a session. Moreover, you only need 15 to 30 minutes to do your daily session.

What we call evening yoga is a practice around 7-9pm. It also depends on your pace and your daily obligations. If you prefer to have dinner before or not... We advise you to eat light before your session to be more comfortable. Here are 5 good reasons to do yoga in the evening:

 

WHAT IS YOGA?

This discipline was born in India and has existed for over 5000 years. The word YOGA means "to unite" and "to connect".

Yoga consists of a series of poses or movements (asanas) that are performed on a yoga mat. It allows you to relax your mind by promoting the harmony of your body.

It is a combination of physical postures (called asanas), meditation, breathing practices (pranayama) and deep relaxation (yoga nidra). It is a very complete activity that encompasses many aspects, physical, mental and spiritual.

The benefits are numerous, such as: relaxation, concentration, flexibility, etc. It is nevertheless necessary to practice yoga regularly and assiduously.

 

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1. EVACUATE THE STRESS OF THE DAY

Today, we can say that our days are very busy. Between the work routine, the rhythm with the children for those who are parents... we accumulate a lot of stress throughout the day.

The evening is the time when you can stop and breathe. This is the perfect time to refocus on yourself. You only need 5 minutes to get dressed and set up your mat. Your yoga session will release all the tension in your body that has built up over the course of your day.

Finally, once your stress is gone, you will feel better. You will be less tense and more pleasant with your entourage. You will also be more efficient in your work.

 

2. IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF YOUR SLEEP

Do you sometimes encounter difficulties in falling asleep? Whether it is insomnia, night wakings, a restless sleep or a difficulty in falling asleep... Know that the practice of yoga in the evening will naturally help you to overcome these inconveniences.

Yoga acts on your whole body, it automatically produces an extreme feeling of relaxation. All your muscles are relaxed so you reduce considerably the tensions. This relaxation acts on the decrease of the frequency of the cerebral activity which is manifested by the transformation into alpha waves. It is this phase of relaxed consciousness that activates the sleep phase.

This moment of fullness allows you to rest your state of mind. Without even realizing it, you are preparing for sleep. The breathing you do during your session helps you to find calm.

If one evening, you did not have enough time to do your session on your mat, know that it is possible to do it in your bed. Of course, you will not be able to do all the postures, but some will be quite possible. This will allow you to do a short session despite your lack of time.

 

3. IMPROVE YOUR FLEXIBILITY

You may not have known it, but we are more flexible at night than in the morning. You may wonder why? The reason is quite simple: our body has already been in action during the day. As a result, physical postures are easier to perform in the evening. Your body has been warmed up all day. It is therefore very interesting to practice yoga in the evening.

Our muscles need to be solicited to gain elasticity. It is thus the evening that you will improve more effectively your flexibility. Take advantage of it to improve certain positions which require much more endurance. You will then be more efficient.

 

4. RECHARGING THE MIND

The word "Mind" comes from the Latin mens, mentis, which means mind. It is everything that goes on in our head. The positive, as well as the negative. It is everything that is not perceptible and is inside each individual. The mind is unique. The state of mind is unique to each individual.

Practicing yoga in the evening allows you to recharge your mind. How can you do this? By freeing you from the many toxic ideas accumulated during the day. Thanks to the control of the breathing, you manage to remain focused only on the present moment. You get rid of all the negative waves you may have encountered before.

Concentration is also an essential element during your session. It allows you to hold more easily the postures that require balance and rigor. Your mind is then more centered and connected to the present moment. You find inner peace before going to sleep.

 

5. IMPROVE YOUR BREATHING

Again, in the evening, you are more easily calmed. You can take the time to "stop" and take time to recharge. Breathing also has a role to play in the effectiveness of your yoga session. In order to coordinate your movements, it is important to control your breathing.

You can practice "pranayamas" which are specific breathing exercises. They serve to know how to control your breath. You can also purify and strengthen your body by performing self-massages of your organs. These massages are done by inhaling, exhaling and retaining air from empty or full lungs.

Knowing how to breathe deeply promotes the oxygenation of your muscles, tissues and blood. Thus, you bring to your body all the oxygen it needs to recover from the day.

 

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SOME EXAMPLES OF POSTURES TO PRACTICE IN THE EVENING

To begin, take the time to settle in. Don't hesitate to put on some relaxing music and a few candles for a zen and restful atmosphere. These different postures that we suggest are ideal for your evening session. We have selected only those that will promote a good sleep. They are simple to do and accessible to all.

THE CHILD'S POSTURE :
For this posture, you must kneel down. Sit on your heels. Make sure your hips are extended properly. Bring your chest toward your knees and rest your forehead on the floor. Place your arms flat on the floor above your head. Stretch your body while breathing in and out deeply. Finally, bring your hands (palms down) to your feet. Hold the posture for 2 to 3 minutes, completely clearing your mind.

LEGS UP THE WALL:
This posture can be done in bed. It is ideal for people who stand for a long time during the day. Lie down comfortably near a wall. Place your legs at right angles to the wall. Extend your arms to your sides to relax your body. Stretch your fingers as you imagine touching the ends of the room. Take a deep breath. Imagine your body sinking heavily into the ground. Practice the exercise for 5 minutes. Then stand up on your side without making any sudden movements.

THE BINDING ANGLE:
In a cross-legged position, you bring the soles of your feet together. Hold your feet or your ankles depending on your flexibility. Lean forward with your back straight. Continue to breathe deeply. Keep this position for 2 to 3 minutes, so you will feel the tensions being evacuated.

THE NEEDLE HEAD :
In this posture, the idea is to take the time to stretch well. The whole body is involved. Lie with your back flat against the floor. Straighten your knees and keep the soles of your feet on the floor as well. Then bring your right knee toward your chest. Inhale and exhale while holding the position. Hold the position until you feel the stretch. Then switch legs and repeat the exercise.

COBRA:
If you need to strengthen your core, this position is for you. It will also help reduce stiffness in your lower back. Lie on your stomach on your mat or in your bed. Rest your forehead against the mat or your bed for a few moments before starting. This will allow you to concentrate. Then straighten your torso completely by putting your hands flat on the floor. Your legs should be the same width as your pelvis. Your feet should be straight and your pelvis against the surface. Hold the position for 2 to 3 minutes while taking deep breaths. Finally, finish the exercise by gently lying back down.

With all the benefits of evening yoga, we hope we've convinced you to give it a try! Remember, it only takes 15 to 30 minutes to do a session. All you need is a suitable outfit and a mat. Better yet, if you're short on time, you can even do some exercises in bed! No more stress at the end of the day and you'll be able to get a good night's sleep.

 

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