Yoga for Tyroid Problems

The thyroid is part of the endocrine system, which is made of glands that produce, store, and release hormone into the bloodstream and body’s cells. This thyroid gland is best described as a butterfly shaped organ located in the base of your neck. The released thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) have numerous roles to play when it comes to maintaining your body’s metabolism and regulating vital body functions, including breathing, heart rate, body weight, muscle strength,  menstrual cycles, body temperature, nervous system, cholesterol levels and much more.

Thyroid disorders can be of many types, but the two most prevalent ones are:

• Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)
• Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid)

 The imbalance or thyroid disease can cause the thyroid gland to be underactive or not secrete enough hormones into your blood, resulting in hypothyroidism or slowing down of bodily functions.

The disease can also cause thyroid gland to become overactive and secrete too many hormones, resulting in speeding up of bodily functions or hyperthyroidism.

Symptoms of Hypothyroidism

• you are feeling disinterested in everyday affairs, getting lethargic and developing a laid-back attitude towards everything.
• you are doing just routine work as always but have started feeling more fatigued than usual.
• you just don’t seem to understand why you remain constipated of late.
• your friends have started noticing a sudden weight gain, and you can’t seem to explain why as you wonder that you are not even overeating.
• you look at yourself in the mirror these days and notice your face getting puffy.
• you are feeling upset seeing your long, thick hair begin to thin suddenly and there are bunches of hair lying scattered all over the house.
• your menstrual cycles are irregular (there could be other reasons for this too; better to check with your doctor).
• you are noticing excessive hair growth on the face which is becoming embarrassing.
• you can see your throat swell up. Surely, it’s time to see the doc.

Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism

• you are either gorging on food or eating less than usual. There may be a sudden change in appetite. But no matter how much you eat, you still remain lean (if you are desperately trying to put on weight, that is).
• you are finding it difficult to sleep at night.
• if you are sweating too much and unusually.
• small things are making you easily irritable.
• you usually remain anxious, nervous and quiet hurried about things

Asanas for Hypothyroidism

1. Sarvangasana (Shoulder Stand)
2. Vipareeta Karani Asana(Inverted Pose)
3. Janu Sirsasana (Seated Head to Knee Pose) 
4. Matsyasana (Fish Pose)
5. Halasana (Plough Pose)
6. Marjariasana (Cat-Cow Stretch)
7. Surya Namaskar or Sun Salutation (fast-paced)
8. Pranayama

Asanas for Hyperthyroidism

1. Setu Bandhasana (Bridge Pose)
2. Marjariasana (Cat-Cow Stretch)
3. Surya Namaskar or Sun Salutation (slow-paced)
4. Balasana (Child’s Pose)
5. Shavasana (Corpse Pose)
6. Pranayama