So how long does it take to do a power yoga workout? This is really not an easy question to answer because power yoga will have you switching up your postures constantly. You are always moving. If you stay in one pose for anything more than 5 breaths, then you are probably doing something wrong. Most of the time, I do about 6 or 7 postures in a row before taking 1 or 2 breaths. After that, you do it all over again! The time quickly flies by and before you know it, the workout is done! So while I can’t tell you how long your entire power yoga workout should take to complete, I can give you some guidelines on how many total postures there are in one particular sequence.
How long should I do power yoga?
They are often asked how long should I stay in a pose when doing yoga? This is an excellent question that only you can answer. Some people will be able to handle the full amount of time while others might have to modify it by coming out of their postures sooner than usual. Power yoga or vinyasa yoga as it’s also known can get intense. It gets your heart rate up quickly and it really helps build stamina because there’s no rest in between each posture. The key here is not to push yourself too hard either. You want to challenge yourself but if something feels off or uncomfortable then respect that feeling and come out of the pose!
The sequence that I’m going to talk about today is called Sun Salutations A & B. This is one of the most common power yoga sequences you will see, even outside of vinyasa yoga. It’s actually a series of postures that flow into each other much like a dance or workout routine to some music! To do this correctly, all you need is an open space to move around in and the willingness to sweat!
This particular Sun Salutations A & B sequence consists of 12 total postures with 1 pose being repeated twice to make 13 for those who are mathematically challenged 🙂 . So I’m going to walk you through this sequence step by step so that you can get an idea of how long it should take. Keep in mind that times can vary depending on your skill level that goes without saying if you are a beginner, this might take you longer than someone who is advanced.
Is it OK to do power yoga every day?
The other common question I often get is how often should I do power yoga? As with doing any exercise, it’s important to ease yourself into it. Your body needs time to get used to this type of workout so don’t push yourself too hard too quickly. It takes about 21-28 days for your body to form a habit so take the first 3 weeks and give yourself some time before you really push yourself during your power yoga sessions. Give your muscles time to adjust as well as you’ll be using them in ways that you haven’t before!
When done properly, Sun Salutations A & B can be a great way to start off any day and will only take up about 30 minutes of your time depending on which version that you do so it’s very doable!
Can a beginner do power yoga?
Now, you might be wondering if this is something that a beginner can do? The answer is yes! The Sun Salutations A & B sequence outlined above isn’t an incredibly advanced one however, there are some modifications that may be necessary. You’ll want to make sure that you focus on proper breathing throughout the entire workout and pay attention to which postures feel right for your body. Keep in mind that everyone’s body is different so what feels like an easy yoga pose for someone else may not necessarily be easy for you.
Remember, power yoga by its very nature is based around being able to modify each posture so using props such as blocks or straps is perfectly acceptable especially when starting out.
How much time does it take me to do these 8 Power Yoga Poses?
For example (and this may differ slightly from other teachers), here is what my class usually looks like:
1) Sun Salutations A & B (6-12 times)
3) Triangle Pose to Warrior III x2 (6 breaths per side; 12 breaths total)
5) High Lunge Arms up to Plank (8 breaths; 16 breaths total)
6) High Lunge Twist to Low Plank (8 breaths; 16 breaths total)
7) Warrior I to Chair to Up Dog (3-5 rounds of 8 breaths each, all standing postures )
8) Child’s Pose or Sit Back into Cobra for 5-10 breaths.
This is a sequence that takes me about 40 minutes from start to finish. This particular sequence does not have any vinyasa between postures and has no headstands or other arm balances, so it may take you less time if those are part of your practice. There you have it! That is how long a power yoga class can take! You will be switching your postures constantly which means that it is very hard to keep track of time. Within a few classes, you should know how long it takes you to do your entire practice though! At least now you have an idea 🙂
