Whether you are a seasoned practitioner of meditation or just starting on your path to mindfulness, one question might be on your mind: “Should I meditate before or after yoga?”
Today, we’ll dive into the heart of this little conundrum, considering both options, to discover how you can make the most of your practice whether you choose to meditate before or after yoga.
Of course, at the end of the day, it is about your preference and how much time you have available around your yoga practice to introduce meditation, however, there are things you can keep into consideration when making a choice.
In this article, we will share:
- 6 Benefits of Meditating before Yoga
- 6 Benefits of Meditating after Yoga
- Meditate before or after yoga, or both?
Read on with us!
6 Benefits of Meditating Before Yoga
When you’re considering which is best – to meditate before or after yoga – keep in mind that ultimately, it is about what works for your lifestyle and schedule.
There are, of course, advantages and benefits to both, but for now, let’s explore some of the benefits of practicing meditation before you step on your mat for asana practice.
1# Centered Mind and Presence
Meditation, when done before yoga, serves as the bridge to a deeper state of presence that you can then explore in your physical practice.
It helps you shed whatever you’re bringing with you, even if for just a little while, allowing you to step into your practice fully engaged with the present moment.
If you meditate before your yoga asana practice, you may find that distractions will dissolve with more ease, and you may find yourself more aware of what is going on in your body as you move through the postures.
2# Enhanced Focus and Intention
When you meditate before yoga, you can utilize these moments of awareness to also set your intention for your practice, or even for your day.
Whether you aspire to build strength, find balance, or nurture patience, meditation infuses your yoga practice with more purpose and direction.
It’s like drawing a map before embarking on a journey, ensuring you stay on course.
3# Deeper Breath Awareness
Your breath is the thread that weaves through the different yoga poses, and ultimately, your practice.
Meditating beforehand prepares your mind to be more attuned to your breath, making it easier to synchronize your movements with each inhale and exhale when practicing flow-like yoga styles, or find more space to be present in more stillness-based practices.4# Heightened Body Awareness
Meditation turns the spotlight inward, illuminating what’s going on with your physical body.
As you sit in meditation you may start to become aware of every physical sensation, which can give you information on how you want to approach your asana practice.
As you transition into your yoga practice, this heightened awareness allows you to feel the subtle nuances of each pose, make necessary adjustments for proper alignment, and reduce the risk of injury.
5# Stress Reduction and Muscle Relaxation
Before you engage in the physical aspect of yoga, no matter what style you choose, there’s immense benefit in tapping into the serenity of meditation.
Meditating sets the tone by calming your mind, which, in turn, can help you relax tension in your muscles before you get on your mat to move. As tension melts away and your body becomes a bit softer, you may find more access to certain yoga postures.
This relaxation not only enhances the quality of your movements but also promotes a sense of ease and enjoyment in your practice.
6# Greater Mind-Body Integration
Ultimately, there is a synergy between meditation and yoga that is certain to deepen your practice, fostering a seamless union of your mind and body.
This integration enhances your practice’s depth, nurtures inner peace, and unlocks the full spectrum of physical and mental benefits that these ancient disciplines offer.
Incorporating meditation before yoga into your routine is a ritual that transforms your practice from mere physical exercise into a sacred journey of self-discovery and well-being.
So, before you unroll your yoga mat, take a moment to sit in stillness, breathe deeply, set your intention, and notice how it affects your physical practice.
This pre-practice meditation can be a short session, focusing on your breath and centering yourself, or a more extended meditation to align your energy for the upcoming asanas.
6 Benefits of Meditating after Yoga
Although sometimes we get caught in the excitement of handstands, crow pose, and fancy shapes, it is important to remember that the primary goal of yoga asana is not just to attain physical fitness or flexibility.
Yoga is meant to serve as a stepping stone towards achieving more profound states of meditation and spiritual awareness: Samadhi.
Although it may be tempting to skip, meditating after yoga shouldn’t be an optional add-on, since being able to meditate, is the main purpose of physical postures.
Here are six reasons why meditating after yoga can benefit you, and why you should give it a try:
1# Progressive Preparation
Yoga asana acts as a gradual preparation for meditation.
It readies the body by increasing flexibility, strength, and balance, ensuring that it can comfortably hold a seated meditation posture for an extended period without distraction.
2# Focused Awareness
During asana practice, you learn to cultivate focused awareness of your breath, body, and sensations.
This heightened awareness fosters a more seamless transition into meditation, making it easier to shift your attention inward.
3# Stress Reduction
Asana practice before meditation aids in stress reduction by alleviating physical tension and promoting mindful breathing.
Meditating after yoga deepens this effect by calming the mind, facilitating a profound sense of relaxation, and further reducing your stress levels.
4# Enhanced Concentration
Yoga asana helps improve concentration by requiring you to stay fully present in each pose.
This heightened concentration naturally extends to your meditation practice, enabling you to delve deeper into the meditative state.
5# Emotional Harmony
As you progress through yoga asana, you may encounter stored emotions within the body.
Meditating afterward provides a safe space to process and release these emotions, fostering emotional balance and resilience.
6# Spiritual Awakening
The ultimate purpose of yoga is to facilitate spiritual growth and self-realization.
Asana is a means to prepare the body, while meditation serves as the gateway to exploring the depths of your inner self, and connecting with your true essence.
Meditating after yoga is a fundamental part of its design. It completes the cycle of yoga by taking you from the physical realm to the meditative, spiritual realm, allowing you to experience the full spectrum of benefits that yoga has to offer.
The transition from asana to meditation is where the profound transformation and union of mind, body, and spirit can truly occur.
Meditating after yoga serves as a bridge between the active asana practice and the stillness of seated meditation, making the transition smoother.
Meditate before or after yoga, or both?
Whether you meditate before or after yoga, remember that meditation is intrinsic to yoga’s design.
As we’ve already discussed, beginning with meditation sets a mindful tone for your practice and it allows you to arrive on your mat with a calm and focused mind, helping you set clear intentions and deepen your awareness of your body’s needs.
On the other hand, concluding your session with meditation provides an opportunity to deepen your relaxation, release any remaining tension, and reflect on the physical and emotional experiences during your practice.
Now, have you considered that you can meditate both before and after your asana practice? Not only that, meditation can also be incorporated throughout your practice.
Integrating snippets of meditation, awareness, and mindfulness into your asana practice can be transformative.
Instead of mechanically moving from pose to pose, you can infuse each movement with conscious breathing and mental presence; with meditation. This not only enhances the physical benefits but also turns asana into a moving meditation.
For example, paying attention to the sensations in each pose, observing the alignment of your body, and being fully present in the moment can create a profound mind-body connection.
Conclusion
The benefits of incorporating meditation before, after, and even within yoga asana practice are profound, as it creates a more harmonious and holistic yoga experience that nurtures the mind, body, and spirit.
If you wonder whether you should meditate before or after yoga, remember that it’s all about what will serve you best and what you’ll be able to stick to.
The main intention of yoga asana is to make you supple and strong enough to sit in meditation and help you connect with yourself.
Ultimately, whether you choose to meditate before, during, or after your yoga practice—or incorporate all three—depends on your preferences, goals, and the type of yoga you practice.
The key is to experiment and discover what resonates best with your unique intentions and needs, whether you choose to meditate before or after yoga.
Explore meditation styles; check out this section on our website next.
I was taught that Yoga is about connection the word means connection . The yoga physical aspect is preparation for meditation. Most Yogas teach this fundamental aspect. When I practice Kriya being the Crown of all yogas has exercises and breathing patterns specific in prep for the deep Spiritual connection that follows during the mediation phase.
Another thing I see time and time again is the bum on ground cross leg sitting position with knees up off the ground which is not a great thing to teach or may I say not correct. The Bum or glutes need to be elevated so those knees or sides of the calves can touch the ground. This provides a relaxed straight spine posture and enables better movement of the Chi or Pranic energy up and down the spine. Elevate on firm cushions the base as much as is required to achieve knees down to ground. The stress on the Lumbar is reduced greatly. Only young children can sit for lng in a standard cross leg position and youll see them even shifting around shortly after a while in discomfort. D. namaste.