How Yoga Can Boost Your Metabolism (And What Are the Best Poses)

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Yoga has come a long way since its 5000-year old conception. Today, the practice is considered to be an essential element of healthy living, with numerous forms of yoga being modified and incorporated into traditional exercise routines.

Yoga plays a critical role in fitness and weight management. You’ll be surprised to know just how big of an impact yoga can have in shaping up and balancing your body’s metabolism. Yes, yoga and metabolism have several connections. With the right guidance and consistent practice of yoga, you will notice a healthier look of your body shape in no time.

Yoga for better digestion

If you’ve ever studied yoga, you’ll notice that a good number of exercises focus on the stretching, flexing, and twisting of the abdominal region in the body, which is where a majority of your digestive tract exists. Doing so aids in the smooth functioning of the organ, while also helping it detoxify.

Yoga for improved glandular function

Metabolic control also relies on the effective functioning of the body’s glands, and one such gland that is key to this is the thyroid gland. With the stretching and twisting exercises associated with yoga, the thyroid gland can be stimulated to release thyroxine - which further impacts metabolic activity.

Yoga for muscle build-up

More advanced yoga practices are physically demanding, which can prove beneficial for you if you seek to tone your physique. Certain yoga poses are designed to specifically target large muscle groups, with smaller groups playing their part in assisting the development. This test of strength, balance, and flexibility makes your entire body work as one unit, thereby improving metabolism by burning calories.

Yoga for better blood circulation

Yoga is just as beneficial for the mind as it is for the body. If there is one thing most yoga poses have in common, it's the emphasis on deep, controlled breathing. This inlet of an increased amount of oxygen into your body allows for improved blood circulation, which further promotes metabolic functions. As for the mind, deep breathing helps your body relax and keeps your mind focused and alert, thereby alleviating stress; stress is another factor of poor metabolism.

Practicing Yoga at Govardhan Eco-Village

If this is your first foray into the world of yoga and you are eager to do it right, consider looking up guides on yoga for metabolism. One of the best places to achieve a good start on your journey towards better metabolism is Govardhan Eco-Village.

The sprawling 140-acre campus is designed to allow for a more holistic approach towards healthy living. And one of its biggest attractions is the School of Yoga. At the school, you will learn the basics of this ancient practice through a full-fledged training program.

The scientifically-designed and certified yoga courses & yoga retreats will help you pave your path towards a happier and more optimistic way of life. You will discover how to use yoga to increase metabolism. Some incredibly powerful yoga poses you will learn include:

Naukasana (Boat Pose)

Naukasana focuses on stretching the back and abdominal muscles of your body, making it one of the most useful yoga poses for metabolism control. Your limbs, which serve as a balance for enacting the pose will also benefit from muscle toning.

• Lie on your back with your feet straight and arms by your side.
• Take a deep breath. As you exhale, lift your chest and feet off the ground, while stretching your arms to your feet.
• Hold this position for a few seconds as you continue to breathe deeply.
• Relax your body and repeat for a few more rounds.

Sarvangasana (Shoulder Stand)

This pose takes some practice but perfecting it results in greatly benefiting the glandular functions of your body, especially the thyroid gland which boosts metabolism. You will also gain an improved overall balance and core strength.

• Lie on your back with your feet straight and arms by your side.
• In one swift motion, lift your legs, buttocks, and back, so you come high on your shoulders.
• To ensure you are in a straightening position, move your elbows closer and rest your hands along your back to serve as support.
• Hold this pose for close to a minute and exit out of it slowly by first folding your knees and eventually resting your back to the ground.

Shalabhasana (Locust Pose)

Shalabhasana is a very helpful yoga pose for improving posture and toning your upper body - specifically your shoulders, neck, and arms. It also aids in metabolism management as the flex area is in your abdominal region. So, if you’re looking for yoga to boost metabolism - a specific pose - this might be a great addition to your sessions.

• Lie on your stomach with your feet straight and arms by your side.
• As you breathe in, lift your legs up with your knees straight and tuck your arm under your groin for support.
• Hold this pose for a few seconds.
• Slowly lower your legs and reset the pose as you breathe out.

Dhanurasana (Bow Pose)

Another tough-to-master pose is Dhanurasana. But if perfected, it goes a long way in ensuring overall body strength and improved metabolism. Dhanurasana is also known to be a powerful stress-busting exercise and is especially useful for women who suffer from menstrual discomforts.

• Lie on your stomach with your feet slightly apart and arms by your side.
• Lift your legs and fold your knees, extend your arms back to hold your ankles in position.
• As you breathe in, lift your chest up off the floor and look straight ahead.
• Hold this pose for a few seconds, breathe out, and reset.

Surya Namaskar (Salute to the Sun pose)

One of the most popular and powerful yoga poses for metabolism, Surya Namaskar must be performed, as the name suggests, at sunrise and on an empty stomach. The routine has numerous benefits. It improves cardiovascular health, boosts immunity functions, and improves core balance and strength.

Surya Namaskar does not have one type of pose; it is a collection of 12 unique yoga poses that are performed in sequence. Make sure to get expert guidance from the yogis at the eco-village before you take this up.

These are just some of the many yoga poses you will practice at the Govardhan Eco-Village. Book a stay today and reap the many benefits yoga offers for a metabolism boost.