I think alot depends on the loads your plan to shoot.
Even the small airweight j-frames 357's will handle alot of .38 special or +P loads, probably even quite abit of moderate .357 magnum loads (though they probably won't be much fun to shoot, as others have said). They won't stand up to alot of hot magnum loads. This is why S&W came out with their L-frames, because even the k-frames couldn't handle a steady diet of hot magnum loads.
I agree that you should shoot your CCW firearm often, but it doesn't have to be with hot loads, even if that is what you carry. There's value in dry fire practice, and in practicing with more moderate loads too. I wouldn't practice exclusively with very light loads if you plan to carry very hot ones, but you wouldn't have to practice heavily with very hot ones to become proficient with your firearm.
Hopefully, if it comes down to actually using your handgun to defend yourself, you won't notice the increase in recoil of the few rounds you probably will have to fire.