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Last year, we had one client who had been suffering from thyroid from the past few years. When our team started working with that client, he told a very emotional story regarding his ideology toward the thyroid. He said, “A few years back, I only knew of this disorder through books and journals.” But this medical disorder occurred for the first time to me that thyroid can happen to anyone, even me!” In this way for the first time, I understood that this medical disorder can happen to anyone, even me. After a deep understanding with your mind coaches and dietitians, we suggested him to start yoga for hypothyroidism, which is the safe and easy treatment option. Adopting yoga in his daily routine he is now recovering fast from this disorder.
Yes, hypothyroidism or thyroid has become a household name these days. The thyroid is a small gland in the throat that secretes hormones that are responsible for the human body’s metabolism, growth, and temperature.
This medical condition can be of many types, but the two most prevalent ones are:
- Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)
- Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid)
It is crucial for everyone to keep a check with a doctor about which type of thyroid disorder they may be affected.
However, you can even check for specific symptoms of each type that you may be experiencing, but make sure to confirm with the doctor.
You May Have Hypothyroidism If
- You may be feeling low and disinterested in your everyday affairs, getting lethargic, and developing a laid-back attitude.
- Always feel fatigued while doing your daily routine.
- you remain constipated.
- You start gaining weight suddenly.
- Your face starts looking puffy.
- Feeling upset seeing your hair fall
- Menstrual cycles are irregular.
- Facial hair growth
However, you can also improve this medical disorder by following a proper diet chart for hypothyroidism.
Can Yoga For Hypothyroidism Help?
Yoga is a mind, body, and soul practice that combines physical balance with others, for instance, breathing exercises and meditation, to improve overall well-being. Apart from yoga for hyperthyroidism, this practice has also shown positive symptoms like depression, fatigue, etc.
Several studies have shown the positive effects of yoga on improving the thyroid, but these yoga asanas cannot cure your thyroid imbalance. Practicing yoga for hyperthyroidism is considered a supportive therapy, so it should not be used as a replacement for any therapies or medications. Even there are many thyroid foods to avoid which can help you maintain your balance.
Let’s check out a few yoga asanas for reversing hypothyroidism.
Yoga For Hypothyroidism Treatment
There are a few poses that are beneficial for the thyroid by increasing blood circulation to the gland and stimulating the areas surrounding it.
But always keep in mind that every asana should never be painful. because not all yoga poses are right for everybody. Some of them may need to be modified or avoided. Listen to your body; if you feel pain, strain, etc. while performing any pose, then it is right to come out of the pose.
1. Viparita Karani (Inverted Pose)
An inverted pose or legs up the wall is the right introduction to an inversion (upside-down pose). This yoga exercise for hypothyroidism increases blood flow to the thyroid gland and regulates thyroid function. However, this hypothyroidism yoga for the thyroid also rejuvenates your mind. This pose helps relieve stress, induce calmness, and cure insomnia. This medication is perfect for people dealing with hypothyroidism who experience mental health challenges due to this condition.
How to Do It:
- Firstly, sit close to a wall with your knees bent and your arms extended behind you.
- Secondly, lean back into your arms and lower your torso to the ground as you twist towards the wall.
- Then, extend your legs up the wall.
- Now, adjust your distance from the wall depending on your level of flexibility.
- Hips closer to the wall will create a deeper stretch in the back of the leg.
2. Sarvangasana (Shoulder Stand)
The shoulder stand asana in yoga is believed to increase the efficiency of the thyroid gland. It helps in maintaining the governing system of the human body called the endocrine system, which exerts pressure on the thyroid gland. This gland receives the largest supply of blood. Shoulder stand, or Sarvangasana, helps in improving blood circulation, increases blood flow into the neck, and helps in nourishing the thyroid and treating reserve hypothyroidism. Moreover, there are several yoga for thyroid that are beneficial for every individual.
How to Do It:
- To begin with, lie flat on the ground with your arms alongside you, palms facing down.
- Next step, add support, place a folded towel or blanket under your shoulders, and rest your neck and head on the ground.
- Now, bend at your hips to lift your straightened legs to 90 degrees.
- Then, push the ground with your arms or hands and bring your legs up and over your head.
Please note: Do not allow your feet to touch the wall behind you. They must hang in the air.
- In the next step, twist your shoulders towards one another and bring your hands to your lower back, fingers pointing upward.
- Now, press into your lower back as you lift your legs straight to the sky.
- Try to look up at your toes. Try not to turn your head back and forth.
- Hold your breath for at least five breaths or more.
- If you want to come out of the pose, lower your legs back to the ground behind you.
- Finally, slowly release your arms from behind your lower back and roll your spine down to the ground until you are lying flat.
3. Ustrasana (Camel Pose)
Camel pose can revive the thyroid gland by increasing blood circulation and stretching the neck. Performing this yoga asana for hyperthyroidism can also help in relieving issues of the spine as well. Moreover, this asana also helps people who are suffering from asthma. But you must avoid this asana if you have a hernia or ulcer.
How to Do It:
- The first step is to start kneeling on your shins with your toes tucked under.
- Secondly, place your hands on your pelvis, fingers pointed upward or downward.
- Now, draw your elbows towards one another as you start to open your chest.
- Then, press your thighs forward as you imagine lifting your chest up and over a beach ball.
- If you are not comfortable, you can drop this position.
- Many individuals grab their heels to create a deeper backbend. But this can be stressful for your lower back, so only perform if you are comfortable or under some guidance.
- And to come out of this pose, draw your hands back to your pelvis and slowly straighten your spine.
- Finally, you can bend your knees and sit on your heels.
4. Setu Bandhasana (Bridge Pose)
Setu bandhasana or the bridge pose is an effective yoga for hypothyroidism, as it opens the chest and stimulates the throat area. Bridge pose is thought to create energy in the body, which might help counteract fatigue. This pose or asana is effective for asthma, strengthening muscles, and reducing headaches. You can even perform this yoga for weight loss. However, the females who are in the final stage of their pregnancy must avoid doing this pose.
How to Do It:
- Firstly, lie on your back with your arms at your sides, your knees bent, and your feet planted hip-width apart.
- Now, push into your arms and feet to lift your hips to the sky.
- Fix your shoulder blades towards one another.
- Try to blend your fingers with the ground underneath your buttocks.
- Alternatively, place your hands under your hips for added support.
- Then, press gently into your feet and open your chest further.
- Now, undo your blended fingers and remove your hands from beneath your buttocks.
- Place your arms alongside and slowly lower your torso to the ground.
5. Halasana (Plow Pose)
Plow pose is another inversion that impacts the throat area and stimulates the thyroid. This pose helps in strengthening abdominal muscles along with relaxing the autonomous nervous system.
How to Do It:
- First, lie flat on the ground with your arms alongside you and your palms facing down.
- Now, bend at your hips and lift to straighten your legs to 90 degrees.
- Then, push into the ground with your arms or hands and bring your legs up and over your head.
- If your feet do not touch the ground behind you, then place blocks or a pillow underneath them for support.
- Blend your shoulders towards one another and bring your hands to your lower back.
- If your feet touch the ground behind you, you can take support with your fingers on the ground.
- And if you want to release the pose, remove your hands from your lower back area and extend them alongside you.
- Finally, slowly roll your spine down until you’re lying flat.
Also, read: How To Control Thyroid In Female: Thyroid Health Unlocked
6. Matsyasana (Fish Pose)
Fish pose, or matsyasana, opens the throat area and is a perfect counter pose to the shoulder stand, or plough pose. Through this pose, an individual can relieve a lot of tension. You can perform this position by inverting the head. Doing so will encourage blood flow to the thyroid gland and is also perfect for people suffering from hyperthyroidism. With this pose, you can even maintain the health of the abdominal muscles and spinal column.
How to Do It:
- First, sit with your legs extended in front. You and your hands must be flat on the ground next to your hips.
- Secondly, draw your shoulders towards one another and open up your chest.
- Now, slowly slide your fingers towards your body. Place your hands close to your buttocks or underneath them.
- Then, bend your elbows to lean back onto your forearms and press into your forearms to open your chest towards the sky.
- Finally, to get released from the pose, lift your head and slowly move your forearms off to the side and lower onto your back.
7. Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose)
Cobra pose is a part of Surya Namaskar. This pose helps you stretch the neck and throat region, therefore increasing thyroid functioning. This pose is beneficial for people suffering from hypothyroidism and back pain. Moreover, it helps in strengthening and toning muscles. Also, this pose helps you warm up the shoulder, hips, and back. Even the cobra pose is one of the asanas that is considered in yoga for diabetes.
How to Do It:
- To perform Bhujangasana, lie flat on your belly and allow your forehead to rest on the ground.
- Then, place your hands on the sides of your chest. Bent your elbows and full directly over your wrists.
- Now, roll your shoulders back and down, towards your feet.
- The next step is to press into your hands as you lift your chest and head.
- Here, start straightening your arms towards the ceiling (you can stop if you feel any pain in your lower back).
- Slowly look up to lengthen your neck.
- Finally, lower yourself to the ground when finished.
Note: You can even contact our Disease Management team directly for guidance.
Tips On Getting Started With Yoga For Hypothyroidism Weight Loss
If you want to start yoga for hypothyroidism weight loss, then do not start it with the complex asanas. So, here are some beneficial tips to get started:
- Slow Start: Start your yoga practice with one pose in which your body is comfortable. You can start your practice with “Corpse, Cat, or Cow,” which is great for your body. Do not rush to perform all the asanas at once.
- Always Strive For the Perfect Feeling Not for the Perfect Pose: The yoga asanas come with instructions on how to perform them. But not every individual can do exactly as an illustration or photo suggests. So, always do not rush to perform the pose; try to learn it first and feel the calmness, and then try to correct your position gradually.
- Breath Openly: Many people force their bodies into the yoga asana they’ve never done before. This leads to skipping your breath while performing it. So, always take your time, give yourself time to inhale, and then exhale the air.
A Word From Fitelo On Yoga For Hypothyroidism
Yoga is known to improve your overall health as well as help you reverse hypothyroidism. This all happens because yoga allows you to increase your physical activities, improve your mental health, and easily manage hypothyroidism.
The poses in yoga help with hypothyroidism by mainly focusing on stimulating the throat area. But if you want to get started with yoga, begin slowly, seek guidance, and remember to breathe.
A Successful Weight Loss Story Of A Homemaker
An inspiring story of Kawalpreet, a homemaker who was diagnosed with thyroid disease. Going through this medical condition has made her weight loss journey a challenging one. With this concern, she contacted Fitelo, and our expert dietitians understood her problems and provided her with a customized diet plan. So, let’s take a look at her story and see how she lost 14 kg in 90 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What Do You Mean When You Say Yoga For Hypothyroidism?
Ans: In yoga for the thyroid, an individual performs neck stretching poses, which stimulate the thyroid gland and cure it in the long run.
Q: Can You Improve Hypothyroidism By Performing Yoga??
Ans: Yes, you can improve your thyroid health by performing yoga. The above-mentioned poses may lead to discovering new variations and postures that bring you the most benefit.
Q: What Is Dhanurasana (Bow Pose) For Thyroid Massage?
Ans: Dhanurasana (bow pose), this yoga pose for the thyroid, massages the thyroid gland and compels it to produce the required amount of thyroid hormone for controlling metabolism.
Fun Fact
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Your search to find the right guidance to be a part of all those fat-to-fit stories ends here, accordingly. So, contact us today if you are looking for a diet plan with cheat meals. Also, we will discuss how we can help you achieve your weight loss goals.
Disclaimer
This blog post was written to help you make healthy and better food choices altogether. So, be aware and take care. The important thing to consider is your own health before starting a diet that is restrictive. Always seek advice from a doctor/dietitian before starting if you have any concerns.