The common perception about yoga is that it is a milder form of physical exercise than aerobic routines.
However, a yoga session without breaks can feel strenuous, making you ask if you can have rest breaks between yoga postures.
It is advisable to rest between yoga postures if your body starts to feel drained or if your breath feels labored. Resting when appropriate ensures that your body is at ease and you are focused on your practice rather than pushing yourself beyond your limits.
This article dives deep into why you should take rest breaks between yoga asanas, when you should take them and how.
We then also talk about the benefits of breaks and some things to keep in mind.
Let's start with the question of when you should have rest breaks between yoga postures.
When should you have rest breaks between yoga postures?
You should have rest breaks between yoga postures in these three scenarios. Your body is giving you signs that it needs a break. You are not able to breathe fully or feel like you are gasping for breath. You are transitioning from one plane of postures to another – for example, from standing to sitting.
Let's examine each of these scenarios.
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1. WHEN YOUR BODY DEMANDS REST
Sutra 2.46 in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali is one of the only three sutras out of the 196 that speaks about asana or the physical postures in yoga.
This sutra says sthira-sukham asanam, which translates to 'posture (asana) should be stable (sthira) and comfortable (sukha).'
Both steadiness and comfort qualities need to come together for a yoga posture to do its intended work.
For this to happen, the body needs to be free of tension and strain.
Therefore, it is vital to be mindful of how the body is feeling while doing yoga postures and take a break when rest is needed.
2. WHEN THE BREATH FEELS LABORED
The importance of the breath in yoga cannot be overemphasized.
The breath is our guide in yoga postures as it brings us more in harmony with our body and mind.
Breathing matters in yoga because it helps us move into a posture and create balance.
When the breath is broken or labored, it signals that we are losing the vital energy or prana that yoga is supposed to build.
This is counterproductive to our practice.
Therefore, an excellent time to take a break is when the breath feels disturbed and not in sync with the body, and return to our practice when the breath becomes even, smooth, and steady.
3. WHEN THERE IS A CHANGE OF PLANES IN POSTURES
A resting posture is introduced when switching from one plane to another, from standing poses to sitting or kneeling, or from lying supine postures to inversions.
This makes sure that the transition is gradual and the body can prepare itself for the change.
A downward-facing dog, which acts as a warming posture and a cooling posture, is often practiced when transitioning between planes in sun salutations and vinyasa flows.
