Most people think of yoga as a stress reliever, but did you know that there are certain yoga poses to boost your metabolism too? That's right: there are certain yoga poses that are great for increasing your metabolism, helping you burn more calories throughout the day. Along with its relaxation and mood calming benefits, yoga can be a great weight loss tool as well. Try any of these 7 yoga poses to boost your metabolism today!
1 Forward Fold
All yoga poses to boost your metabolism have a few things in common and one of those certainly occurs in forward fold: anytime your heart is lifted or lowered above or beneath your head, your thyroid gland is stimulated. Your thyroid gland is actually the gland located in your throat that regulates your hormones. Since your head drops beneath your heart in forward fold, your metabolism is stimulated and starts burning like a well oiled machine!
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2 Shoulder Stand
Shoulder stand provides a great stretch for your upper neck and back. In shoulder stand you also have to use your core muscles to hold your ankles directly over your shoulders. While it might be difficult to get into this pose as a beginner, by slowly working into this inversion, you will be doing wonders for your metabolism!
3 Plow Pose
Similar to shoulder stand, plow is an awesome inversion for boosting your metabolism. Since your heart is lifted above your head and your feet are dropping on the floor behind you, core and muscular strength are required for holding this pose. This is a great pose for improving circulation and for thyroid stimulation.
4 Bridge Pose
Bridge pose is my favorite pose for a full body inversion. With your hips pushed toward the sky, your chest and shoulders slowly open up. Again, since your heart is lifted above your head, your thyroid is being stimulated, waking up your metabolism. This is my favorite pose to work on muscular strength in my lower back. Love handles, no more!
5 Bow Pose
Bow pose is a great pose for opening up your chest and stretching out your back. This pose requires the use of not only your back muscles but your upper and lower body too, therefore, it increases your heart rate and metabolism too. I love this pose because it leaves you feeling open, strong and confident to face the challenges of the day!
6 Boat Pose
Boat pose is a great pose for strengthening your abdominal muscles, hip flexors and back muscles. This pose opens up your chest and elongates your neck, stimulating your thyroid gland, and thus metabolism, yet again - a little bit differently than the rest of the poses. Since this pose requires the use of so many different muscles, your heart rate will get a boost increase too!
7 Twisted Chair Pose
Twisted chair requires that you use not only balance but flexibility too. By twisting your entire upper body over your lower body, your internal organs are stimulated, wakening your digestive system. This pose requires the use of every muscle in your body, increasing your heart rate and boosting your metabolism.
As you can see, yoga does so much more than just relax you after a long day. Along with a healthy diet and regular exercise, consistent yoga practice is a great way to boost your metabolism and stay fit, healthy and happy! Have you ever thought of yoga as a weight loss tool? Will you now? I sure hope so!
