Best Way to Combine Yoga and Massage for Healing

Yoga and massage therapy are two of the most powerful tools in the wellness world and when used together, the benefits can be truly transformative.

If you’ve ever wondered whether yoga and massage are meant to complement each other, the answer is a resounding yes.

Massage and yoga have many similarities - as both are designed to help your body relax and heal.

But combining the two and creating a full-body holistic approach can be even more beneficial for your wellbeing.

In this blog, we're going to take a look at some of the benefits of combining yoga and massage therapy, and how to blend these two practices for maximum impact.

Let's take a look!

What is yoga?

Yoga is an ancient Indian practice that focuses on posture, breath work, and meditation. Yoga is used to promote mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing, and can help to increase flexibility, improve balance and coordination, reduce stress levels, and promote relaxation and wellbeing.

What is massage?

Massage therapy is a practice that uses applied pressure, traction, and stretching to help relieve tension in the muscles and promote relaxation. Massages can be performed to reduce pain, increase circulation, and reduce stress levels.

Whether it be a mobile couples massage in Atlanta or a deep tissue massage, massage therapy has been - like yoga - a trusted practise for thousands of years.

Massage Therapy Complements Yoga in More Ways Than One

There's no denying that both yoga and massage therapy are great for your body. But why combine them together? It's simple - massage therapy helps to relax and loosen up the muscles, in turn helping to increase your flexibility as well as your range of motion. This means that having a massage before attending a yoga class (or performing a yoga session at home) can massively aid and improve your performance.

Interestingly, yoga is often considered a form of self-massage. The twisting, folding, and stretching motions performed in yoga poses gently stimulate internal organs, promoting their function—much like the intentional manipulation used in therapeutic massage.

So the question remains, should you get a massage before or after a yoga session? The answer to this question is simple - both are effective!

Getting a Massage BEFORE Yoga

While it might seem counterintuitive to have a relaxing massage before yoga rather than afterwards, it actually makes sense; yoga is already designed to be a relaxing form of exercise-meets-meditation, so you won't feel burnt out or exhausted in the same way you might after a run or a sweaty cardio session.

Massage also helps reduce mental clutter. If you’ve ever struggled to stay present during a yoga session, try a mellow massage and yoga combo—your mind may become more centered and focused.

💡 Pro Tip: If you're doing vinyasa yoga in Atlanta, a light Swedish massage beforehand can make transitions between poses feel smoother and more fluid.

A pre-yoga massage will help to loosen up the muscles while increasing blood flow, which will help lengthen and elongate your muscles as you perform specific stretches and poses during your yoga.

Plus, the relaxing and soothing effects of the massage will help you remain mindful and zen during yoga, strengthening your mind-body connection and compounding the effects of the exercises and poses. 

However, keep in mind that not all massages are ideal before yoga. Deep tissue or sports massage can make your body sore and fatigued, and jumping into a flow class right after might limit your performance. Opt instead for gentler modalities that emphasize relaxation and circulation.

Listen to your body after the massage. If you feel invigorated—go deeper. If you feel tender or overly relaxed, adjust accordingly. Safety and body awareness always come first.

Plus, if you carry out your yoga sessions at home, you could opt for a mobile massage in Atlanta - we'll bring the massage table to wherever you are, and you can enjoy a relaxing full body massage before your session.

Getting a Massage AFTER Yoga

While a pre-yoga massage can be incredibly beneficial for both your wellbeing and your performance, there's no reason that you can't indulge in some massage therapy after your yoga session.

If you prefer to unwind after your practice, getting a massage after yoga can be the perfect ending. This sequence is ideal for those looking to extend the restorative effects of yoga and support post-workout recovery.

Massage after yoga helps flush out lactic acid buildup, which accumulates after any form of physical activity—including a rigorous yoga flow. This improves muscle recovery and helps your body retain the flexibility gains made during class.

For those practicing before and after vinyasa yoga, follow up with a therapeutic massage that targets fascia and connective tissues. This approach encourages long-term muscle lengthening and overall flexibility.

Is It Good to Have Massage After Yoga?

The only valid answer to this question is this: the one that works best for you. For example, some forms of massage (such as deep tissue massages) require some downtime to let your body recover; this means that heading to a yoga class directly after a massage isn't going to be good for your body, and could even cause or prolong discomfort or injury.

Similarly, if you're looking to work on a particular area of your body during yoga, you may find it beneficial to have a massage beforehand; this can allow your muscles to loose up and get ready for the increased mobility.

For maximum stress relief, consider booking a sleep-focused massage after your evening yoga session—perfect for unwinding from your day and calming a restless mind.

Ultimately, the best way to get the most out of combining massage therapy and yoga is to experiment and see what works best for you. Once you've figured out which works better for optimizing your performance in class (or for your general wellbeing), stick with it!

Book Your Post-Yoga Massage at Home

No need to step out of your zen. Book a mobile massage in Atlanta or your local area through Spa Theory. Let the peace of your yoga practice flow right into your recovery sessionwithout ever leaving home.

What type of massage should be combined with yoga?

In general, you'll want to steer clear of deep tissue massages before or after a yoga class; these massages are incredibly intensive and require a period of downtime so that your muscles and connective tissues can recover.

A traditional Swedish massage is your best option for combining with a yoga session; Swedish massages tend to use gentle, soothing strokes to ease tension and improve circulation, making it the perfect pre or post-yoga treatment. 

Yoga and Massage in Atlanta

Whether it’s a hayden yoga and massage combo, or a simple yoga massage in Atlanta, incorporating both into your wellness routine amplifies the benefits of each.

For massage therapists, even practicing yoga regularly can prevent burnout, improve posture, and keep the body in balance, making yoga for massage therapists a smart, self-care essential.

Want to try massage and yoga without the studio stress? Spa theory in-home massage services make it easy. Choose from a variety of massage styles—Swedish, deep tissue, prenatal, and more and pair them with your favorite yoga sequence at home.

FAQs

What is yoga massage called?

It's often referred to as Thai yoga massage, a technique that blends assisted stretching and acupressure.

Which is better, yoga or massage?

Neither is better—they serve different (but complementary) functions. Combining both offers the best of each.

Should you rest after yoga or massage?

Yes. Avoid intense activity right after either. Let your body integrate the benefits.