Yoga for Thyroid Health

Crazy fact: all the tissues in your body have thyroid receptors.

If your thyroid is not working well, it can cause a range of signs and symptoms beyond those resulting from another health issue.

It is common to consider the functioning of your thyroid glands in the cases of constipation, fatigue, dryness, chilliness, and weight gain.

But your thyroid can also be suspect in fibromyalgia, depression, muscle aches, foggy brain and even gastrointestinal dysfunction.

The thyroid gland is an endocrine organ that plays an important role in the chain of hormone-producing glands.

Other glands, such as the gastrointestinal, adrenal, and hypothalamus, also have profound impacts on your health, but the thyroid is the easiest to measure and gauge.

How yoga helps in reducing the symptoms of thyroid disorders:

Yoga can be effective in maintaining the health of your thyroid gland.

The various twisting and compressing stretches of yoga massage your thyroid and instruct it to release the thyroid hormone thyroxin, which can greatly impact your body’s metabolism.

Yoga techniques can also help you better cope with the signs and symptoms of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and hypothyroidism in general.

There is even a special yoga breathing technique that may help your thyroid!

However, as with any exercise regimen, consult a doctor before you begin yoga as a treatment for any thyroid issues.

Also, yoga should not be considered a substitute for medications. Yoga may, in some cases, though, reduce the need for specific types or dosages of medications.

Here are a few basic yoga asana practices to keep your thyroid healthy.

Shoulder Stand or Sarvangasana pose

This is one of the most commonly recommended postures for individuals with thyroid problems. The pressure from the pose simulates your thyroid to function more effectively.

It can also help stimulate other glands near or in the head, like the pineal glands and the pituitary gland, which have an indirect impact on the functions of your thyroid gland.

Plough or Halasana pose

The meaning of Hana is “plow.” This pose resembles the Indian plow and may also be called “halasana.”

This yoga position improves the condition of your thyroid gland because it provides compression to your neck while stimulating the thyroid.

Inverted or Viparitakani Pose

Viparita means “reverse,” while Karni means, “by which.” This yoga pose can help your thyroid gland maintain or improve its health because it encourages balance.

It can also help relieve symptoms or complications resulting from a hypoactive thyroid gland. This pose is the most effective asana for thyroid disorders.

Fish or Matsyasana pose

Matsyanasa, or fish pose, delivers adequate stretching in your neck and stimulates your thyroid gland.

This yoga pose is a must when it comes to maintaining the good condition and proper functioning of your thyroid.