Thyroid - Parathyroid
Balance Hormones and Support Thyroid Health with Yoga
The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located in your neck. It produces hormones essential for regulating your metabolism, energy levels, and various bodily functions. Thyroid disorders occur when the thyroid gland produces either too much or too little of these hormones, leading to a range of symptoms and health concerns.
- Autoimmune diseases: Conditions like Hashimoto’s disease and Graves’ disease involve the immune system attacking the thyroid gland, leading to dysfunction.
- Iodine deficiency: Lack of iodine, a crucial mineral for thyroid hormone production, can contribute to goiter (enlarged thyroid gland) and hypothyroidism.
- Inflammation: Thyroiditis, inflammation of the thyroid gland, can cause temporary or permanent changes in hormone production.
- Medications: Certain medications can interfere with thyroid function, so consulting a doctor about potential interactions is crucial.
- Radiation exposure: Exposure to high levels of radiation, through environmental sources or medical treatment, can damage the thyroid gland.
- Genetic factors: Certain genes may increase the risk of developing thyroid disorders, though this isn’t always the case.
The symptoms of thyroid disorders vary depending on whether you have hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) or hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid).
Hyperthyroidism Symptoms
- Unexplained weight loss: Losing weight despite normal or even increased appetite due to an overactive metabolism.
- Increased anxiety and irritability: Feeling restless, nervous, and easily agitated due to hormonal influence.
- Physical signs: Tremor in hands, rapid heartbeat, palpitations (feeling heart fluttering), indicating overactivity.
- Sleep disturbances: Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep due to increased alertness.
- Excessive sweating: Sweating more than usual, even in cool environments, due to increased body heat production.
- Sensitivity to heat: Feeling hot and uncomfortable even at normal temperatures.
- Digestive issues: Frequent diarrhea due to faster food movement through the digestive system.
- Menstrual irregularities: Changes in menstrual cycle patterns, such as irregular periods or missed periods, in women.
Hypothyroidism Symptoms
- Low energy: Feeling tired, sluggish, and lacking motivation due to a slowed metabolism.
- Unexplained weight gain: Gaining weight despite normal or even reduced appetite, as the body burns calories less efficiently.
- Sensitivity to cold: Feeling cold even in warm environments due to decreased heat production.
- Dry skin and hair: Dry, brittle skin and hair due to reduced sebum production.
- Digestive issues: Constipation, as the slowed metabolism affects the digestive system’s movement.
- Muscle discomfort: Muscle aches and stiffness due to weakened muscles and slower repair processes.
- Mood changes: Feeling depressed, down, or lacking motivation due to hormonal imbalances.
- Mental fog: Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or feeling mentally sharp.
- Menstrual irregularities: Changes in menstrual cycle patterns, such as irregular periods or heavy bleeding, in women.
- Adhomukha Svanasana:helps improve circulation to the thyroid gland, supports hormonal balance, and reduces stress, which can positively influence thyroid health.
- Uttanasana:helps improve thyroid activity by increasing circulation to the neck, while also reducing stress and calming the nervous system, which can benefit overall hormonal balance.
- Parshvottanasana ( chin on the support stool):improves blood flow to the thyroid gland, encourages relaxation, and helps maintain hormonal balance, supporting better thyroid health.
- Prasarita padottanasana (Chin support):enhances thyroid activity by increasing circulation, calming the nervous system, and promoting hormonal balance, while also reducing stress.
- Janusirsasana: promotes relaxation, increases circulation to the thyroid gland, and helps balance hormonal activity, supporting better thyroid health and reducing stress.
- Paschimottanasana: encourages improved circulation to the thyroid, supports hormone regulation, and promotes a sense of calm and balance, which is beneficial for thyroid function and overall well-being.
- Sirsasana:improve circulation to the thyroid, encourages hormonal balance, and stimulates the parathyroid glands, which can support overall thyroid health.
- Salamba Sarvangasana : enhances circulation to the thyroid, helps balance hormones, and promotes relaxation, making it an excellent pose for improving thyroid function and reducing stress.
- Viparita Karani (Legs-Up-the-Wall Pose): This restorative pose improves circulation and reduces fluid retention, which can be beneficial for those with hypothyroidism.
- Savasana:calm the nervous system, reduce tension, and improve circulation, which can support thyroid health by promoting a balanced hormonal environment and aiding in the reduction of stress-related thyroid imbalances.
- Ujjayi Pranayama (Victorious Breath): This calming breath technique helps regulate the nervous system and reduce stress, potentially improving sleep and overall well-being.
Adhomukha Svanasana
अधोमुख स्वनासन / Downward facing Dog Pose
The Sanskrit name is derived from Adhas/Adho (अधस्) meaning down, Mukha (मुख) …
Uttanasana
उत्तानासनI / Hand to Foot Pose
The name comes from the words उत्तान ,"intense stretch"; and आसन; āsana, "posture" …
Parshvottanasana ( chin on the support stool)
पार्श्वोत्तानासना / Intense Side Stretch Pose
The name derives from the words "Parsva" means "side", "Uttana" means "intense …
Prasarita padottanasana (Chin support)
प्रसारिता पदोत्तनासन / Wide-legged forward bend
The Sanskrit name is derived from Prasārita (प्रसारित) meaning spread out or …
Janu sirsasana head support
जानुशीर्षासन / Head to Knee Pose
The Sanskrit name is derived from Janu (जानु) meaning knee, Sirsa (शीर्ष) meaning …
Paschimottanasana
पश्चिमोत्तानासन / Seated Forward Bend
The Sanskrit name is derived from three Sanskrit words: Paschima (पश्चिमा) meaning …
Sirsasana
शीर्षासन / Headstand
The sanskrit name is derived from sirsa (शीर्ष) meaning head and asana (आसन) …
Salamba Sarvangasana
सलाम्बा सर्वंगासन / Shoulder stand
The sanskrit name is derived from Salamba (सलाम्बा) means " supported", Sarva …
Viparita karani
विपरिता करणी / Legs up the wall Pose
The Sanskrit name is derived from Viparita (विपरिता) meaning inverted and Karani …
Savasana
शवासना / Corpse pose
The sanskrit name is derived from Śava (शव) meaning "corpse" and āsana (आसन) …
Ujjayi Pranayama
उज्जायी प्राणायाम / Victorious Breath or Ocean Breath
The word "Ujjayi" comes from Sanskrit routes were “Ujjayi” means "victorious" …