5 Asanas To Boost Your Metabolism
It is scientifically proved that yoga practice can affect your metabolism. Firstly, many asanas activate abdominal organs, thus normalizing and improving their performance. Secondly, regular practice increases blood flow in the entire body, which drives more glucose into the cells, where it is later transformed into energy. Finally, yoga is a complete workout, which works up the muscles that spend the most of body’s energy. Thus, if performed regularly, yoga forces your body to renew its’ energy reserves repeatedly. We’ve collected 5 best asanas to boost up your energy levels even on the coldest days of this autumn.
1. Anuvittasana - Standing Backbend Pose
1.) Start in Tadasana, placing your feet shoulder-wide apart.
2.) Extend your hands towards the ceiling; the palms should be facing each other.
3.) Push the hips forward and arch your torso backside. Keep the head aimed forward or lean it back without compressing the neck.
4.) Push your feet onto the floor; keep the legs and buttock strained. The knees should touch each other.
5.) Hold the pose for 10-20 seconds. Slowly exhale while bringing your spine into a starting position.
2. Virabhadrasana I - Warrior pose I
1.) Start in Tadasana. Inhale as you step or jump your feet double shoulder-wide apart.
2.) Turn your right foot in by about 45 degrees and your left foot out by 90 degrees. Align the back heel behind your front heel. Simultaneously rotate your hips, torso, and shoulders to the left. Make sure that the sides of the torso are parallel to each other and your hips are located in one line.
3.) Exhale as you bend your left knee into a 90-degree angle. Keep the right leg completely straight.
4.) As you inhale, raise your arms sideways to the shoulders and press the palms together. Elongate throughout your torso, straightening the arms and spine. Open your shoulders, chest, and throat. Lift your chin and gaze upwards. Repeat the asana on another side.
1.) Stand in Tadasana with your feet joined together.
2.) Bend your right knee and place the right foot high up on the inner side of your left thigh. The toes are heading straight down. The supporting leg is firm and its’ foot is standing flat on the ground.
3.) Inhale as you raise your arms over the head. The palms should be facing each other; the elbows are unbent. Keep the arms parallel to each other.
4.) Stretch up with your body and arms, spine and chest muscles. Open your chest; elongate the neck. The chin is a bit lowered.
5.) Breath steadily keeping the pose for a few seconds. Repeat the asana on the other side.
4.Salabhasana - Locust Pose
1.) Lay down on your stomach.
2.) Straighten your arms and place them right next to the thighs.
3.) Exhale as you lift your straightened legs as high as it is possible while pushing the hands up at the same time. Breathe slowly and evenly.
4.) Remain in this pose for 10-20 seconds, then return into the initial position and perform the asana with another leg.
5. Chaturanga Dandasana - Four-Limbed Staff Pose
1.) Lay down on your stomach.
2.) Bend the elbows and place your palms on the floor at the chest level. Move your legs about 30 centimeters apart. Curl your toes inside.
3.) Exhale as you slowly lift your body off the floor by balancing it on your wrists and toes. Keep your elbows bent and squeezed into the torso, straighten the knees. Watch your body to be lined up and parallel to the floor from the head to the heels.
4.) Remain in this position for 10-30 seconds, breathe evenly.
