Why 10 Minutes of Yoga is More Powerful Than You Think
I used to believe that Yoga only “counted” if I had a full hour on the mat. Maybe you’ve felt the same? I’d beat myself up if I couldn’t get to a studio class, or if life got in the way of a 60 minute flow and then of course, the guilt would creep in and I’d ask myself “what’s the point of even rolling out my mat if I can only do 10 minutes?”
But here’s the thing I’ve discovered through both my own practice and teaching women just like you, 10 minutes of Yoga can be life-changing.
In fact, sometimes those little pockets of practice are more powerful than waiting around for the perfect long session that never quite fits into your day.
The Myth of “Not Enough”
We live in a world that glorifies more productivity, more hours at work, more intensity in your workouts, more self-improvement and when you’re already overwhelmed by work stress, this “more, more, more” mindset spills over into your Yoga and Self-Care.
It’s no wonder women often tell me:
“I don’t have time for Yoga because I can’t commit to a full class.”
“Ten minutes isn’t worth it.”
“I’ll start when things calm down.”
But life rarely calms down and waiting for that magical window of time means you’re constantly putting yourself at the bottom of the list.
The Power of 10 Minutes of Yoga for Busy Women
So why is 10 minutes of Yoga more powerful than you think?
It shifts your nervous system.
In just a few minutes, mindful movement and breath can take you from “fight or flight” into “rest and digest.” This means less tension, lower stress hormones and a clearer head.It builds consistency.
Think of it like brushing your teeth. Ten minutes a day adds up over weeks and months. Consistency matters more than intensity when it comes to long-term change.It gives you energy back.
Instead of draining you, short practices restore you. You’ll feel calmer, lighter, and surprisingly energized, even on days when you thought you had nothing left to give.It fits into real life.
You don’t need a Yoga studio, fancy leggings, or a perfectly quiet house. You just need yourself and a few minutes to breathe, stretch, and reconnect.
A Story From My Own Life
Let me share a little story. A while ago, I was in a particularly busy season of my work. Every day felt like a sprint, and by the time I looked up from my laptop, the day was gone. I constantly told myself I didn’t have time for Yoga.
But one afternoon, exhausted and achey, I rolled out my mat in my living room and gave myself permission to just do ten minutes. I lay down, took a few deep breaths and moved through a couple of gentle stretches. That’s literally it!
Here’s what surprised me:
My shoulders softened.
My mind stopped racing.
I slept really well that night.
The next day, I had more energy, more patience and most importantly a reminder that I could make space for myself even during my busiest weeks.
When I started weaving in these 10 minute Yoga practices regularly, everything shifted. My stress levels dropped, I felt more in control and Yoga became something that supported me rather than another thing on my to-do list.
A Bit of Yoga Philosophy
There’s a Yogic concept that really resonates here and that is Santosha, which means contentment.
Santosha invites us to let go of the pressure to do more, achieve more, or make our Yoga practice look a certain way. It’s about finding peace with what’s possible right now.
So instead of beating yourself up for not managing a full class, what if you could feel grateful for those 10 minutes? What if you trusted that they were enough, because they are.
That little mindset shift is where the magic happens.
What You Can Do in 10 Minutes
If you’re wondering what a short practice might look like, here are three simple ideas you can try:
Morning Reset Sit quietly, close your eyes, and take five deep breaths. Move through a few Cat-Cow stretches and a gentle seated twist. Finish with your hands on your heart, setting an intention for the day.
Desk Break Stand up, stretch your arms overhead, fold forward letting your head hang heavy, and take three rounds of calming breaths.
Evening Wind Down Lie on your back with your legs up the wall or over a chair. Close your eyes and focus on slow, steady breathing for five minutes.
That’s it. No complicated poses. No rules. Just a few minutes to remind yourself that you matter.
It’s Not About Time, It’s About Intention
When I teach women who are stressed and overwhelmed by work, I always remind them: it’s not about how long you practice, it’s about how you show up.
Even ten minutes can be:
A reset for your nervous system.
A reminder that you’re worthy of care.
A step toward feeling calmer, more focused, and more in control of your life.
The more you practice in these little windows, the easier it becomes to create bigger shifts.
Want a Little Support Getting Started with Your Self-Care?
If this idea of short, powerful practices speaks to you, I’ve created something that you might like! My Free 5 Day Stick to Your Self Care Challenge.
In the challenge, you’ll get simple, doable practices that fit into your day (without the overwhelm and guilt) and real support to help you finally stick to your self-care.
You can join the challenge for FREE here.
Because sometimes, all it takes is a few minutes to change the way you feel and to remind yourself that your wellbeing matters.
If you take one thing from this blog today, let it be this: your practice doesn’t have to be long to be powerful.
Ten minutes might feel small, but over time, it builds into something big. It’s the difference between ending your day stressed and wired, or calm and ready to rest. It’s the difference between surviving your work week and actually having energy for the life you want outside of work.
So next time you hear that little voice saying “it’s not enough,” I want you to roll out your mat anyway. Take a deep breath. Move for just ten minutes.
Because those ten minutes are where the transformation begins.