THE BEST TIME OF DAY TO DO YOGA

The best time of day to do your sadhana (practice) is early in the morning, within the two hours before dawn. This is known as brahmamuhurta in Sanskrit, 'the time divine'. At this time spiritual energy is high and there are likely to be fewer disturbances, both external and internal, than at any other period of the day. However, if you are unable to practise during brahmamuhurta, choose some other time when the stomach is not loaded.

Whether you are just starting yoga or you have been doing it for a while, you may need to decide when during the day to do your yoga routine. Most people who have practiced yoga for a long time have probably changed the time they do yoga each day. We all adjust our daily schedules now and then. Let’s explore some of the different times of day you can do yoga.

Morning - You can do yoga in the morning if you want. Doing yoga in the morning will help wake you up fully and prepare you for the day. Also, assuming you usually shower in the mornings, you can use your morning shower to wash off after yoga practice. Unfortunately, if you have to go to work early in the mornings, you will probably need to get up earlier. Also, you may have trouble squeezing in breakfast with your yoga practice. You want to eat when you wake up before doing yoga, but you also probably do not want to do yoga immediately after eating.

Afternoon - Trying to do yoga in the afternoon may not work if you have a busy schedule. You may not find time for it. Even if you do find time, you may find yourself feeling rushed and stressed during your yoga practice, which may ruin it for you. On the plus side, doing yoga in the afternoon may help you avoid doing yoga when you are tired in the morning or at night. Many people find that they are at their physical and mental peak during the afternoon. Also, afternoon yoga may act as a stress-relieving break from your daily activities.

Evening and Night - You can do yoga during the evening or at night. This would probably include any time from when you get home from work until you go to bed. By waiting until nighttime, you can do your yoga without having to worry about your daily chores and getting to work on time. On the downside, you may feel tired at night, which can negatively impact your yoga routine. Also, if you are worn out from the day, that may cause you to skip your yoga practice. Some people may also find that doing yoga at night hinders their ability to fall asleep.

Obviously, the best time for you to do yoga depends on your personal schedule and preferences.

People who take yoga classes at a studio or gym may be have less options because they have to go at the set time of the class. Although, many studios and gyms offer at least some selection between different classes during the day. People who do yoga on their own at home will have more leeway in choosing the time.

With the options you do find for yourself, try to choose the time that will help you get the most out of your yoga practice. You want to be at peak condition to perform yoga, but you also do not want the practice to disrupt the rest of your day.

Whatever you do, good luck and have fun!

Roll out of bed and into the studio for some luxuriously slow, gentle stretching. Experience the deep, slow, meditative quiet of a morning practice. Feel stiffness melt away as the body and the mind become awakened and energized for the day ahead. Morning is the best time of day to do yoga because the benefits can be experienced all day. (This class is not offered during the winter months.)

These are are all poses used in residence halls, apartments and yoga classes around campus to help relive stress.

Maryanna Klatt, assistant professor of family medicine, said yoga can help students unwind during stressful times such as exam week.

"Yoga can be a proactive approach to doing your best on finals," Klatt said.

Klatt also said that yoga can be done at anytime by anyone.

"The best time to do yoga is in the morning before starting your day, (but) yoga stretches can even be done from your chair as you study for exams," Klatt said.

Mike Wofford, a sophomore in early childhood development, gave examples Wednesday of poses that can be done in a chair including shoulder shrugs to relieve tension.

Another simple exercise students can do, Klatt said, is to elevate the buttocks with a towel while sitting in a chair when you are studying in. It encourages deep breathing which allows your body to receive more oxygen.

According to Wailana.com, a Web site dedicated to the yoga lifestyle, 10 minutes of yoga a day can make a difference in your level of stress.

The site encourages people to do yoga throughout the day including neck rolls at your desk and leg stretches while you pump gas.

Jacob Jansen, MA candidate in sports and exercise science, said that deep breathing exercises are like an internal massage, each inhale stretches the body, while each exhale allows the body to compress.

Wofford said using deep breathing exercises help him focus throughout the day.

"It makes me more aware and relaxed," Wofford said.

Klatt said that deep belly breaths allow you to slow your breathing to quiet mind-chatter including negative thoughts about failing t

# Nadi Shodhana is a great way to relax and control your stress level. If you are feeling particularly stressed out, nervous, anxious, etc, ten or so rounds of these breathing poses should soothe you and help calm you down.
# The best time of day to practice is early in the morning, when your mind is fresh. Try to keep a regular routine and practice at the same time every day. If you find that you are unable to practice in the morning, try to do so before sleep.

The value of an on-going practice cannot be overestimated. Start with a realistic assessment of how much time you have for yoga. Even 5 or 10 minutes a day makes yoga a part of your daily life. Regular short practices are more beneficial than occasional long ones. With time, your practice will naturally grow. If your practice slips, don’t punish yourself. Breathe and start again. Even spending time in your practice place will help you focus.

find morning to be the best time of day, but many people can benefit from it at the end of the day as well. Morning is the time when you are the most quiet and the air is most pure. Taking time for this practice in the morning sends you out of the door feeling centered, present and relaxed. Everything you do is going to be enhanced by that. At the same time, at the end of the day, you're often tired. You know you need rest, and you're ready to place your body in positions that are good for it, that will remove the stresses of the day. To go from yoga postures into breath work and meditation is the perfect segue to a peaceful, restful night.