Today's Daily Tip


Multimedia

Video Channel: Practice

The Yoga Practice Show

Jason Crandell:  the Yoga Practice show Practice with YJ Faculty Teacher Jason Crandell.

Watch Video



Print Print Email Email Comment Comment Add to Favorites
Log in to save to My Yoga Journal!
Add to Favorites
Bookmark Bookmark

What’s the Frequency, Natasha?

As a beginner who is not very flexible, how often should I practice yoga?

—Debby from Las Vegas

Read Natasha's reply:

Dear Debby,

For most people, practicing yoga three times a week is ideal. If it is hard to get to class that often, than I suggest trying to do some kind of similar home practice, so you can maintain the progress that you make in class.

Particularly when working on flexibility, I find that consistent practice and/or stretching is more useful than intense but less frequent work. For many of us, the most difficult part of class is the mental hurdle at the very beginning, when we are confronted with how tight our hamstrings or shoulders feel. My experience is that the more consistent the practice, the more quickly one moves through the creaky period at the beginning. This is true mentally as well as physically. When we are in a consistent rhythm with our practice, we are more likely to understand its ebb and flow. Some days we feel stronger and more flexible, other days feel like a struggle. The main thing is not to judge or constantly try to chart our progress.

So make a habit of supplementing a weekly or twice-weekly class with some gentle work at home, and you will probably experience the physical and mental benefits of yoga on a more consistent, ongoing basis.


Print Print Email Email Comment Comment Add to Favorites
Log in to save to My Yoga Journal!
Add to Favorites
Bookmark Bookmark

Subscribe to Yoga Journal Magazine

Discussion for this story has been closed.

See All Beginners Expert Q&A Articles »

Join Yoga Journal's Benefits Plus

Liability insurance and benefits to support teachers and studios.

Learn More »

Enter to Win Great Prizes!

Enter to Win Great Prizes! Enter to Win Great Prizes! Prizes include a Yoga Journal conference pass, yoga mats, clothes, books, jewelry, energy bars, Yoga Journal DVDs, and more...

Enter Now »
Get 2 FREE Trial Issues and 2 FREE Gifts
FREE Gifts!

Your subscription includes:

Yoga to the Rescue: Poses for a Headache:
Got a pounding headache? This sequence of supported poses can send it packing.

Yoga to the Rescue: Poses for Stress:
The next time you find your nerves frazzled, use this rejuvenating flow sequence to relieve the effect of stress.

Yes! Please send me 2 FREE trial issues of Yoga Journal and my 2 FREE GIFTS

Full Name
Address
Address 2
City
State
Zip
Email (req)

If I like it and decide to continue, I’ll pay just $15.95, and receive a full one-year subscription (9 issues in all), a 64% savings off the newsstand price! Otherwise, I’ll write cancel on the invoice and owe nothing.

Offer valid in US only.
Canadian subscriptions | International subscriptions

Save 64% off the cover price


Pay Now and Get 2
Bonus Issues

Pay now and get
TWO EXTRA ISSUES FREE!
That's 11 issues for the
same low price!
Click Here to PAY NOW!