Yoga has always been one of the fundamental practices of fitness in Hindu and Buddhist traditions. One of the most remarkable things about Yoga is its universality. It can benefit several physical and mental issues and is also used in various other conditions too. Yoga for Thyroid patients is hugely beneficial as it helps patients to work on the specific areas of their bodies that heal the symptoms related to thyroid. There are several types of yoga for hypothyroidism, and different styles are suitable for different people based on their physiological needs. Yoga can be practised by young adults, as well as older people. It helps in regulating blood circulation and provides more oxygen to the body. Find out more about Yoga Poses for Thyroid in this article.
What Is Thyroid And How Does Yoga Cure Thyroid?
What is the thyroid exercise in yoga? The thyroid gland is butterfly-shaped and found in the throat that secretes hormones. The secretion of these hormones determines the metabolism, body temperature, and growth of a person. Amongst various conditions of the thyroid, the two most commonly seen in patients are:
Hyperthyroidism:
Hyperthyroidism means a person has excess amounts of thyroid secretion in the body. An overactive thyroid makes you hyperactive, restless and leaves you with excessive hunger or fatigue.
Hypothyroidism :
This occurs when the thyroid hormone is deficient in the body. Hypothyroidism can lead to delayed puberty and slow growth of the body. It also affects the regularity of your menstrual cycle and may cause weight gain.
Yoga to cure thyroid is highly beneficial as it works on the parts around the thyroid gland to achieve maximum benefits. It regulates your blood flow and controls your oxygen intake, leaving you healthy and active. Yoga is an alternative healing method used for thyroid. Studies have shown that women suffering from hypothyroidism have not required thyroid replacement surgery after practising yoga consistently for six months.
Best Yoga Asanas For Thyroid Problems:
Let us explore some of the ancient yoga poses that help in the treatment of thyroid. The Top 10 Yoga Asanas for Thyroid are mentioned below. We give you a glimpse into the several asanas with images.
1. Sarvangasana / Supported Shoulder Pose:
Sarvangasana involves resting on your shoulders and lifting the body up. This yoga asanas for thyroid problems inverted pose accelerates the blood flow to the throat, where the thyroid gland is located. It regulates the blood flow near the affected areas and benefits our overall health to achieve excellent results while treating the thyroid. This is one of the best-prescribed Yoga practices.
How to Perform?
- Lie flat on a yoga mat, resting your head and shoulders.
- Keep your legs joined together and slowly raise them.
- It is mandatory to keep breathing slowly and steadily while performing all yoga poses.
- Once your legs are in a right angle with your body, slowly lift your body from the waist upwards.
- As a beginner, use your hands to support the back and try to keep your legs straight.
- Hold this pose for 3 minutes. Next, slowly bring your legs down in a smooth motion.
- Once you can comfortably do this pose, keep your arms stretched out on the mat and lift the body without any support.
To know more about the asana, click here: Sarvangasana
2. Dhanurasana / Bow Pose:
Dhanurasana is yoga to control thyroid, which involves arching your body in a specific way, which makes it look like a bow. This pose elongates the nasal pipe and allows a plentiful supply of oxygen to the brain. It also stretches the regular capacities of your throat, resulting in exercising the thyroid gland for its benefit. Regularly practising Dhanurasana helps achieve control over your thyroid condition.
How to Perform?
- Lie on your stomach on the yoga mat
- Place your feet apart and arms by your side.
- Slowly bend your knees and hold your ankles with each of your hands.
- Lift your chest up slowly while maintaining control over your breathing.
- Keep looking straight and be mindful of the inhale-exhale process.
- Hold this pose for 3 minutes and slowly bring your chest down and release your ankles.
- Lie with your face down, and feet rested for a minute to recover.
- Repeat this asana every day for the desired result.
To know more about the asana, click here: Dhanurasana
3. Halasana / Plow Pose:
Halasana is one of the most beneficial poses for thyroid treatment in yoga as it engages several muscles of the body and has many benefits. It stimulates the thyroid gland as it involves the tissues near the throat and chest. Apart from that, Halasana is beneficial in reviving the nervous system, improving memory, regulating menstrual cycles, relieving cramps in legs, etc. Practising the Halasana every alternate day has crucial benefits that ease out the process of dealing with thyroid and other diseases.
How to Perform?
- On a yoga mat, lie down flat with your head and shoulders resting on the ground.
- Keep your arms by the side of your body.
- Keep your legs together and raise them above the floor.
- Once the legs are straight up, making your body into a right angle, elevate the body by lifting it up from the waist.
- Lower the legs towards the head.
- Lift the chest so that your legs can go beyond your head and rest on the floor.
- Hold this pose for 3 minutes.
- Keep your breathing steady while performing this pose.
- After completion, slowly lift your legs and bring them back to the floor while gradually resting your back.
- Practice daily to deal with the thyroid.
To know more about the asana, click here: Halasana
4. Setu Bandha Sarvangasana / Bridge Pose:
The Bridge Pose, also known as Setu Bandha Sarvangasana, helps in providing blood circulation to all the glands, especially the thyroid gland. The Ramdev baba yoga for thyroid engages the muscles in the upper body and can relieve stress, which is a common symptom of thyroid. It relaxes your muscles and stretches abdominal glands, which aids in the process of digestion. An overall beneficial move, this yoga for thyroid Ramdev must be practised regularly to achieve benefits for thyroid.
How to Perform?
- Lie down flat on a mat with your shoulders, and head rested.
- Keep your arms by your side, relaxed.
- Keep breathing slow and steady.
- Bend your knees and rest your feet entirely on the ground.
- Lift your waist and chest to keep it suspended, forming a bridge between your legs and head.
- In some practices of yoga such as Iyengar, a wooden brick is used for support. It is placed at the tailbone to support the body.
- Hold this pose for 3 minutes while continuing to breathe deeply and calmly.
To know more about the asana, click here: Setu Bandhasana
5. Bhujangasana / Cobra Pose:
Bhujangasana is a useful asana as it provides ample exercise to regulate the function of the thyroid gland. Hence, Cobra Pose is the best asana in Yoga to reduce Thyroid. Bhujangasana is also a member of the Surya Namaskar family, making it more significant. This asana can help you replenish your body and mind as it engages in the core muscles of the body and helps in strengthening your limbs. Practice Bhujangasana every day to keep your thyroid gland healthy.
How to Perform?
- On a yoga mat, lie down on your stomach
- Stretch your legs with heels facing upwards.
- Keeps hands beside your shoulders
- Lift your body from the chest, with your chin up.
- Slowly raise the hips above the floor and maintain balance by pressing down on the palms.
- Hold this pose for 3 minutes. Slowly rest your hips, chest, and head in that order to ensure a proper position.
- It is crucial to maintain a steady breathing cycle while performing yoga asanas.
To know more about the asana, click here: Bhujangasana
6. Navasana / Boat Pose:
Navasana or Boat Pose is a hopose that looks like a boat. It involves the throat muscles and helps in treating the thyroid gland. Navasana engages the muscles of the abdomen. This results in the smooth functioning of the digestive system. Navasana helps in strengthening your core, thus providing more energy and vigor. Yoga also alters the mental state of your being and helps to channel thoughts through positivity.
How to Perform?
- Sit down on the yoga mat with your feet stretched out in front.
- Place your arms on either side.
- Lift your legs and lean behind to balance your body on the hips.
- Maintain a steady breathing cycle as you hold the pose for 3 minutes.
- Keep looking straight as wavering attention leads to imbalance.
- Practice daily to achieve positive results for thyroid patients.
To know more about the asana, click here: Navasana
7. Urdhva Dhanurasana / Upward Bow Pose:
Upward Bow Pose is the best Yoga for Thyroid problems. It engages all the muscles in the body, working the pituitary and thyroid glands, and ensuring smooth functioning of vital organs in the body. Urdhva means Up in Sanskrit, and it is an inverted version of the regular Dhanurasana. Practising this asana every day can have ample benefits for the overall well-being.
How to Perform?
- Lie down on your back. Keep your knees bent.
- Put your arms near your head, with fingers towards shoulders.
- Take a deep breath, lift yourself at the tailbone, and exhale at the same time.
- Hold this pose for 3 minutes. Try to walk in this pose to achieve better control over your limbs.
- Keep your attention to maintain balance throughout while looking straight.
- Practice this three times a week as a beginner
- It is mandatory to maintain a steady breathing cycle while performing yoga asana for thyroid.
8. Matsyasana / Fish Pose:
The Fish Pose is an inverted back arch and should be ideally done in the end while practising yoga asanas. Matsyasana is an incredible asana in Yoga for Thyroid during pregnancy. The Fish Pose stretches your thyroid gland and supplies blood to the affected areas. Matsyasana is beneficial for thyroid patients and should be regularly practised to achieve all the benefits that it offers.
How to Perform?
- Sit on your yoga mat with your legs outstretched in front.
- Place your arms on your sides, elbows firmly rested.
- Lean back while balancing your weight on the shoulders and elbows.
- Try to push yourself as far as possible, eventually aiming to touch the crown of your head to the mat.
- Keep your breathing steady while holding this pose for 3 minutes.
- Slowly get out of the pose by gradually moving the head upwards and resting your back.
- Lie down until the body has recovered.
To know more about the asana, click here: Matsyasana
9. Shirshasana / Supported Headstand:
Shirshasana is undoubtedly the Best Yoga for Thyroid. Shirshaasana directly engages the thyroid gland and has massive benefits on the entire body. It provides a boost of blood flow to the head and regulates the functioning of all vital organs. The thyroid gland situated near the throat is exercised while performing Shirshaasana. The technique of Shirshaasana requires patience and practice.
How to Perform?
- Sit on the mat with your knees folded beneath your body.
- Bend forward and intertwine your fingers. Place your head in the middle of your palms.
- Press down on the elbows and lift yourself slowly.
- Try to maintain balance and not have any movements.
- Hold this pose as long as possible. This pose in yoga is one of the toughest and requires an ample amount of time and practice.
- Keep your eyes fixed in a position. Wavering gaze leads to imbalance.
To know more about the asana, click here: Sirsasana
10. Kapalbhati:
Along with yoga, pranayama for hypothyroidism boosts the process of dealing with thyroid and other diseases. Pranayam is the discipline of breathing techniques. Kapalbhaati engages the respiratory and digestive systems, which help in regulating hyperthyroidism. Pranayam, also as yoga for hyperthyroidism, has long-lasting benefits. It is a discipline that requires consistency and patience. Practising Kapalbhaati can lead to several significant changes that ensure the smooth functioning of your vital organs.
How to Perform?
- Sit comfortably with your legs crossed in Padmasana.
- Rest your palms on your knees, fingers facing upwards, and connect your thumbs with the index fingers.
- Pranayam for Thyroid includes breathing techniques. Inhale a steady deep breath.
- Exhale the air with an aggravated force that pulls your stomach in.
- Keep repeating until the muscles in the stomach feel worked up.
- A slow inhale followed by a vigorous exhale is the correct technique of Kapalbhaati.
- Practising Kapalbhaati every day has ample benefits for your skin and hair along with thyroid.
To know more about the asana, click here: Kapalbhati
The thyroid is a condition swiftly grappling the modern world. Yoga is a remarkable antidote to most diseases, and thyroid is best when treated with yoga and breathing exercises. This guide tries to shed light on the effects of the thyroid and what yoga does to help the human body.
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Disclaimer:
This article is for informational purposes only. It does not intend to diagnose, recommend, treat, or prevent any disease. The purpose of this article is not to replace the expertise of doctors, but to provide information on the subject. The Yoga poses mentioned in the section above must be performed under supervision only. Please see your physician before changing your diet, approach towards exercise routines, etc.
Frequently Asked Questions And Answers:
Q1. What Are Some of The Hypothyroidism Symptoms?
Ans: Hypothyroidism is a condition where the human body does not produce enough thyroid hormone. This can lead to energy loss and general fatigue. The symptoms of hypothyroidism include lethargy, delayed puberty, slow growth, constipation, dry skin, high cholesterol, UTI, weight gain, etc. Hypothyroidism is most common in women than in men. Weight gain and fatigue are the most common symptoms seen in women who suffer from hypothyroidism. TSH or the Thyroid Stimulating Hormone is released to ensure the growth of the body. TSH also regulates your metabolism and the production of this hormone, or the lack thereof causes hypothyroidism. Practice yoga poses for hypothyroidism for the best results.
Q2. How Does Yoga Help with Thyroid Problems?
Ans: Yoga is an ancient practice of the mind and body that has been known to provide aid for several diseases. Yoga regulates the functioning of your vital organs by providing sufficient blood flow and oxygen supply. When we perform yoga, we engage the core muscles of our body that helps in dealing with the affected areas. Along with physical poses, yoga also gives a lot of importance to the mental state while performing yoga. Meditation and Pranayam are crucial aspects of yoga that help in boosting the process of healing. Learning yoga for thyroid must be learned from experts only who know about treating thyroid.
Q3. Does Yoga Require Special Diet?
Ans: Yoga is a practice prevalent in Hindu and Buddhist traditions. Although yoga does not ask for any modifications to your lifestyle, Hindus and Buddhists are generally vegetarian. Experts Yogis have said that even if you do not quit consuming meat before starting yoga, the discipline of yoga modifies your body in such a way that it stops craving meat. The same goes for other guilty pleasures such as smoking and drinking alcohol. As much as it is not mandatory to quit these practices, the power of yoga gets rid of these cravings in itself.
Q4. What Are Some of The Hyperthyroidism Symptoms?
Ans: Hyperthyroidism is a condition where the butterfly-shaped thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone. It leads to instant weight loss and makes you jittery and nervous. People suffering from hyperthyroidism may experience sweating all over the body, excessive hunger, fatigue, hyperactivity, irritability, restlessness, mood swings, panic attacks, insomnia, hair loss, etc. People suffering from these symptoms must consult their physician immediately to get tested for this condition. Hence, yoga for thyroid and weight loss helps!
Q5. Can Yoga Be a Permanent Cure to Thyroid?
Ans: Thyroid is a complex condition. There is no singular method of treatment for a disease related to the thyroid. Each case is different from the other, and every patient needs a treatment that suits his/her physiological needs. Yoga is a restorative therapy that boosts the process of healing. As much as yoga cannot eradicate thyroid issues from the human body, it helps in regulating the functioning of the thyroid gland. This slowly leads to a strengthened immune system. A well-functioning immune system can help ease the issues related to the thyroid gland.
