Direct Effects of Yoga on Metabolism

Any type of physical activity that gets the body moving will essentially help boost your metabolism. The body uses more energy during yogic practices and therefore burns more calories and increases metabolic rate. When practicing SUP Yoga Pilates, the body targets large muscle groups in the core digestive tract. When these muscles all work together, they start to get bigger in size and density. Therefore, the more core muscle we build, the more calories we burn, and ultimately the more our metabolic rate increases to burn said calories. The controlled, deep breathing that occurs during Yoga also helps promote circulation. In addition it provides the body with enough oxygen and nutrients that can increase metabolism.

Indirect Effects of Yoga on Metabolism

Studies have shown that Yoga doesn’t only have direct effects on metabolism, but it also promotes some of the following activities that ultimately work to enhance your metabolism rate.

• Reducing Stress: When we become stressed, our body reacts by producing an extra stress hormone called cortisol. Cortisol can build up in our body and slow down our metabolism. However, as most of you know, Yoga Pilates is great for reducing stress levels and improving a calm, meditative state. All this can prevent cortisol build-up.
• Improving Sleep: The controlled breathing associated with SUP YogaPilates can increase oxygen levels, promote blood circulation, and improve respiratory muscles. This, in turn, allows you to get a restful sleep at the end of the day, which can increase your metabolism rate.
• Increasing Thyroid Activity: The thyroid produces hormones that help increase and restore our metabolism. Certain yoga positions such as the Came, Cobra, and Bridge pose have been known to stimulate thyroid activity.

Best Yogic Poses to Increase Your Metabolism

The study found that the best time to practice Yoga is at night, as this created a bigger impact on metabolic rates. So, if you’re looking to stay fit, adding a yogic routine around 9 pm or right before going to bed will help you reach your goal. You should try adding the twisted chair, locust, bow, eagle, or crescent lunge to your routine for guaranteed metabolism effects. Also try to add some aerobic activity, high-speed yoga, or fast transitions so that you can burn more calories and further increase your metabolism rate.

Definitely, SUP Yoga Pilates is a way to balance many things in your life and one of these things is metabolism. With the right poses and routine, you could be on track to staying fit, losing weight, or obtaining the body of your dreams.

Author: Sally Writes / Photo: André Oosterhuis – SUP YogaPilates