Yoga and Burned Calories

Many are interested in the question – are yoga and metabolism connected in any way? Do yoga and metabolism affect each other? Is it possible to lose weight and get rid of excess weight just by performing yoga asanas?

Practicing yoga should not be considered the only and 100% effective method to help lose excess weight and maintain body tone. If you perform asanas in combination with pranayama breathing techniques, you can harmonize the processes occurring in the body, including metabolism. You will learn to better understand your body, control your consciousness, and learn to «hear» the signals your body sends you. But is there a direct connection between yoga and metabolism?

It is worth noting that there are different styles in yoga, such as Hatha Yoga and Ashtanga Yoga, or Vinyasa Yoga and Bikram Yoga. During Ashtanga Yoga sessions, calorie burning occurs more intensively because these practices themselves are more intense, more active, and dynamic. To perform them, you should be in good physical shape, work on developing muscles and endurance.

During Bikram Yoga, more calories are burned because the asanas are performed continuously. The body sweats, releasing a lot of moisture and energy.

In the process of Vinyasa Yoga, complex poses are introduced, with asanas focused on balance. Imagine an acrobat – Vinyasa Yoga will require you to at least understand the body’s mechanisms and control it, if not have a similar physique.

How do asanas affect metabolism?

Are yoga and metabolism connected? We can say for sure – yes. Many poses stimulate blood circulation, have a positive effect on the thyroid gland, pituitary gland, and adrenal glands, and enhance the digestive process. As a result, the endocrine system, which is responsible for metabolism and metabolic processes, is actively engaged.

Poses affect processes occurring in the body, including metabolism, partly because blood flow to organs increases and different muscle groups start working actively.

Proper Breathing and Calorie Burning

Yes, it may seem surprising, but breathing can contribute to calorie burning just as much as asanas. This is because the oxygen content in tissues depends on how and in what quantity it enters and is distributed throughout the body. With yogic breathing techniques, oxygen is actively transported through all blood vessels, saturating all organs and displacing accumulated carbon dioxide. Simultaneously, oxidation and fat burning occur.

So, yoga and metabolism can be synchronized through breathing practices. Beginners can start with the basics of breathing techniques (such as belly breathing) and then move on to more advanced levels of practice.

Nutrition for Yoga Practices

For yoga and metabolism to positively influence the body, a proper nutrition system should be established. Here are general dietary and drinking guidelines for practicing yoga:

• at least one hour should pass between eating and practicing;
• do not practice on an empty stomach, it’s better to have a light snack;
• evaluate any diet through the lens of health care and remember that not all diets are beneficial;
• balance the intake of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates in your diet.

Focus on the needs of your body and stay healthy!