5 Yoga Poses for Thyroid

Many individuals that are suffering with a thyroid disorder have spent a lot of time searching for treatments. A treatment that is gaining popularity for thyroid disorder is practicing yoga. The stretching, compressing and twisting yoga asanas help to massage one’s thyroid gland, allowing it to release thyroxin to help the body’s metabolism.

For people suffering from hypothyroidism or thyroid disorder experience a range of symptoms . These symptoms can include an interest in daily activities, and a feeling of lethargy. An intense feeling of fatigue is common amongst those with hypothyroidism as well as constant constipation. Your hair may have started thinning as well as an excessive growth of hair on the face. In addition to all of these symptoms, the thyroid disorder may cause your throat to swell up and lead to increased weight gain.

Yoga poses for Treating Thyroid problems

Yoga really is a great natural solution for treating thyroid disorders. There are many poses that are specifically geared toward helping thyroid disorders and helping to manage the thyroid’s production of thyroxin. The following yoga poses are perfect for treating hyperthyroidism and any other thyroid disorder.

1. Sarvangasana

This pose helps to stimulate the thyroid gland and control the body’s thyroxin levels. In this inverted pose, blood flow rushes from the legs to the head and helps to aid the thyroid. When performing the Sarvangasana pose lay with your back on the pat in a supine position. Exhale first then inhale and contract your abdomen. Slowly raise your legs into a 90 degree angle. While you exhale, raise your waist and hips off of the floor and take your legs backwards over your head.

Getting into the complete asana position will require you to inhale and raise your legs and back into a vertical position as you place your hands on your upper back to support it. Once in this position, you should try to concentrate on maintaining your legs, waist, and back in a straight line at a 90 degree angle. Exhale while releasing the position. While slowly lowering the back to the floor, inhale and exhale until you are back into the supine position.

2. Viparitakarani

The Viparitakarani pose is another inverted pose. This pose helps balance how the thyroid functions, especially in the case of a hypoactive thyroid. This pose is also known as the “legs up on the wall” pose. As this pose is a passive one, it is recommended to have several thickly folded blankets to support you during this pose. Before you start the pose, be sure to understand how high to make you’re your support.

Depending on your flexibility you may need to have your bolster or blankets further away from the wall. Start the pose with your support about 5 or 6 inches away from your wall. Begin by sitting sideways on the right side of your support. You right side should be against your wall. Exhale and swing your legs onto the wall with your shoulders and your head on the floor. Next, your bottom should be in the space that is between your support and your wall. Your torso should be arched gently from your pubic bone to your shoulders. Bending your knees, press both of your feet onto your wall and then lift your pelvis from your support. After this, you will lower your pelvis towards the support.

3. Halasana

The halasana pose is also known as the “plough pose”. This pose allows you to compress your neck and stimulate your thyroid glands. The “plow pose” or the “plough pose” is another inverted pose that allows you to stretch your spine and shoulders. This pose is great for calming the brain, heat and nerves/ Start this pose by lying on your back with both of your legs extended.

Your arms should be at your sides with the palms down. Inhale and use the abdominal muscles to bring your legs then hips towards the ceiling. Have your torso perpendicular towards the floor. Keep your legs straight the lower the toes toward your floor, keeping your legs completely extended. If you cannot reach the floor with your toes, use your hands to support the back as you lower your legs to their furthest extent. If you have your feet comfortably resting, you can extend your arms on the floor and have your fingers interlace.

4. Matsyasana

The matyasana pose is also known as the fish pose. This pose is a chest opening pose and is a bit more complicated than the beginning poses. Start this pose with your back on the floor and your knees bent. Your feet will rest on the floor as well. Begin by lifting your pelvis off of the floor, sliding your hands with the palms down underneath your bottom. Rest your bottom on the back of both hands. Keep your elbows and forearms tucked to the side of the torso.

Inhale then press your elbows and arms against the floor. Pressing your scapula to your back, inhale and lift your torso away from the floor. Release your head towards the floor and keep your back arched with your chest lifted. At this point, either the crown or the back of your head will be resting on the floor. While in this posse, you should keep your legs ether straight on the floor or with your knees bent. Keep your thighs engaged and press out through your heels.

5. Ustrasana

The ustrasana pose is intended to stretch your neck. This pose is another chest opening pose. Start this pose by kneeling on your floor. Your knees should be slightly apart with your thighs perpendicular to your floor. Rotate the right inward and keep your bottom firm while you narrow your hips. Keeping the hops soft, press the shins and tops of the feet into the floor. Rest both hands at the back of the pelvis.

Your palms will be resting on top of your bottom with the fingers pointing down. Spread your back pelvis with your hands and lengthen the pelvis through the tailbone and lean backwards against your tailbone. Keeping your head up, have your chin at your sternum and the hands on your pelvis. Most beginners can’t drop straight back during this pose, so touch your hands to your feet at the same time to keep our thighs perpendicular with the floor.

Living with a Thyroid Disorder

While yoga is a way of life, so is living with a thyroid disorder– this disorder will affect the way you live life. Doing yoga can only do so much. Try to monitor your diet and research the best foods that will help manage your thyroid disorder. For those suffering with thyroid disorders, the diet should be high in fiber and leafy vegetable as well as seasonal fruits. Do drink ginger tea and try to avoid carbs and fats. Getting a lot of vitamin D from the sunlight will help as well.

If you find that you are suffering from thyroid problems, do your best to manage the disorder but also contact a professional. While these poses can help to ease your discomfort and help your thyroid, getting a doctor’s advice and possibly prescription medicine may also help you as well.