Yoga Poses for Thyroid Health

Aside from being a stress reduction technique, Yoga is an excellent alternative form of healing. There are vast health benefits that we can get from practicing yoga. Yogis found out that there are certain poses that are actually good for the thyroid glands.  The following are some of the Asana yoga poses for thyroid:

1.) Sarvanga Asana - Also known as the Shoulder stand, it stimulates the thyroid gland and para-thyroid glands and is good for the circulation of the blood in the chest, shoulders, upper back and the neck.  This pose will make you lie on your shoulder, pushing your body over the head and then straight up. Helps the blood transport to the throat that stimulates and nourishes the thyroid glands. The shoulder stand is the most effective yoga posture for hypothyroidism.

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2.) Matsyana - Also known as the Fish pose, it normalizes thyroid function, and pituitary gland. This pose able to stretch the neck and strengthen and tone the nervous system. Good also for the kidney, stomach and intestine, and pelvic organs. It should be undertaken directly after the shoulder stand. You need first to lie your back on the floor, rest your body on your elbows and arch the back. Tilt your head so that it touches the floor. The neck is stretch and tone, thereby stimulating the parathyroid glands.

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3.) Halasana - The Plough Pose, stretches the neck and helps boosts digestive functions. In this position, rise to a shoulder stand and bring your feet down, over your head, touching the floor.

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4.) Sun Salutation - It is a sequence of twelve graceful positions linked by a continuous flowing motion accompanied by five deep breaths. Each cycle will tone the muscles and the various organs that stimulates the endocrine glands. The blood will be pushed to the region and will nourish it. It is a perfect work out for the entire body too.

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Apart from its health benefits, Yoga has an overall good effect on whether, Physically, Mentally and Emotionally.  Yoga is indeed a great way to prevent and cure diseases.

Physical Exercises and Hyperthyroidism

It is as important to overhaul your diet as well as to engage in a fitness / physical activity when you have hyperthyroidism. I have written in a previous post that Hyperthyroidism is caused by negative emotion such as stress and anxiety.  If you are someone with a lot of stress, you need to have stress relief techniques in order to spare yourself from having this thyroid condition or any stress related disease for that matter. Exercise is one natural technique in maintaining low level of stress in your life. However for hyperthyroid, it is generally recommended to avoid any form of active exercises. Why? Strenuous exercise can make your heart beat faster (palpitation), your breathing harder and make you even more "hyperactive". 

Instead, here are some alternative forms of exercises that is more appropriate for hyperthyroids:

  

Qigong - is a 2000 year old series of bodily movements that gives more emphasis on how to feel and move energy within the body. Not really a highly aerobic exercise but still helps in toning the body.  Also, it strengthen the immune system, reduce stress and  improve balance and posture.

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Tai Chi -  is a fitness program that was developed to promote energy flow within the body. Through slow flowing movements, Tai Chi strengthen and tones muscles, increases balance and coordination, improves flexibility, ruduces stress, boosts energy and enhances well-being.

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Yoga - is an ancient indian practice which helps in releasing tension and aiding in deep breathing. Yoga is perfect for hyperthyroids because it normalizes the function of the thyroid, pituitary, pineal, and adrenal glands by stimulating it. It bends and stretches the neck, strengthen and tones the nervous system. Yoga stimulates the thyroid gland to work at peak efficiency. It helps improves the pituitry gland's function as it is stimulated. Some of its benefits are reduce stress, sound sleep, reduced cortisol levels, lower blood pressure, lower heart rate, sense of well being, reduced anxiety and muscle tension, increased strength and flexibility, and slowed aging process.

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I was enrolled in a Yoga class for a while. I was surprised to see a big difference in me after doing it. Most of the symptoms were gone. My heart rate becomes normal, no difficulty in breathing, slept well and felt light. If you intend to heal, there are many alternative methods to choose from. Best if you incorporate these different alternative methods to speed up your healing process and eventual cure. You just have to decide what works  for you.