5 Minutes a Day, 6 Yoga Poses to Boost Your Metabolism – Help Your Stay-at-Home Mom Look 10 Years Younger
Although yoga practice doesn't burn as many calories as some fitness exercises, which might reach 500 calories per hour. But yoga can promote your metabolism, enabling your body to burn fat faster.
Metabolism is the process by which the human body converts food into energy. Yoga's breathing techniques improve the body's oxygen intake, which can raise the body temperature and increase the metabolic rate. Yoga can also stimulate and enhance our endocrine organs, further accelerating metabolism. Furthermore, these poses are designed to melt fat deposits through stretching, compression, and twisting the body.
Little Tian recommends 6 commonly used and very effective yoga postures to promote digestion and radiate brilliance.
1. Boat Pose
It increases the circulation of the thyroid, adrenal, and pituitary glands, leading to the release of feel-good endorphins and hormones, thus balancing the metabolism system. It can also stretch your glutes well and lower your lower back.
Lying on your back, hands placed on either side of your body, knees bent, feet legs together, raise your legs upwards and backwards, feet toes touching the ground, legs straight, sit bones at the highest point of your body, hips upwards, spine extends, back straight, hands can support your back, or placed on the ground.
2. Shoulder Stand Pose
Shoulder Stand Pose is the 'king of all poses' in yoga. In this pose, blood will flow to your upper body, providing your heart and brain with a large amount of oxygen and nourishing the thyroid gland, which regulates the metabolism. Yoga makes weight loss from the thyroid easier.
Arms resting on your back, legs raised until both feet are at a 90-degree angle, toes pointing towards the ceiling. Hold the pose for as many seconds as possible.
3. Chair Twist Pose
Unusual bending of the body can awaken your internal organs and help with digestion. A healthy digestive system is the foundation of good metabolism.
Standing with feet together, bend your knees and lower your hips, as if you were sitting on a chair behind you. Place your palms in front of your chest. Rotate your spine, extending your left elbow to your left knee. Hold for 30 seconds and switch sides.
4. Crescent Moon Pose
This pose speeds up metabolism by increasing heart rate. It's also very beneficial for strengthening the legs and opening the pelvic area, which is most beneficial for people who work long hours.
Standing on a mat, step back with one leg and place weight on the foot, raising the heel. Place the other leg in front of you so that when you bend your knees, it remains on your foot without crossing it. Maintain balance on the sole of your foot, lower your body, and raise your arms towards the sky. If your neck feels comfortable, look forward or up. Hold the pose for 15-30 seconds, then relax and switch legs.
5. Bridge Pose
The thyroid gland is massaged in this pose, releasing hormones, thus starting the metabolism.
Lying on your knees bent, and feet flat on the floor with your hips wider than your knees. Slide your arms alongside your body and gently touch your heels with your fingertips. Press your feet into the floor, inhale and lift your hips. Place your arms under your body and try to clasp your hands together. Hold this pose for 45 to 60 seconds, then slowly lie back down. Repeat several times.
6. Spinal Flow Breath Pose
This pose stimulates the function of endocrine organs that affect the metabolic rate.
Fold your legs and sit on the floor. Keep your spine straight, close your eyes, and place your palms on your knees. Now, breathe deeply through your nose and exhale, while drawing your stomach towards your spine. Relax your stomach muscles during inhalation, and contract them during exhalation. Maintain a relaxed pace.
Some relatively difficult yoga postures, if you don't have a yoga foundation, it's still recommended to take a look. If you can't help but practice despite your heartbeat, you can first go to a yoga studio and practice under the care of a professional yoga instructor to avoid physical injuries. Scientifically practice yoga, and you will surely reap the rewards!
