Yoga cure for thyroid imbalances

Yoga is the best-suited alternative form of healing available to thyroid patients, which can be of great help even to people suffering from thyroid cancer.

Regular practice of few yoga asanas can help in boosting the functioning of thyroid gland, making lungs healthy and strengthening the back muscles. These asanas, when practiced regularly can help in keeping tab on thyroid imbalances in the body.

Kapalbathi Kriya: This helps strengthen the thyroid gland, regulates hormones, exercises the upper parts of the body, and helps fight diabetes, obesity, arthritis and asthma.

• Sit in Sukhasana with neck straight.
• Place both hands on knees in gyan mudra, with eyes gently closed.
• Exhale forcefully through both nostrils, while also pulling in your stomach. Do not inhale.
• Repeat this several times, until you feel tired.
• Remain in this position and relax.
• Increase this procedure gradually. Repeat 3-4 times.

Caution: People suffering from high blood pressure, heart ailments and hernia should breathe gently. Take care not to lift your head while inhaling.

Setubandasana (Bridge pose): This position helps to strengthen thyroid glands and lungs.

• Lie on your back. Lift legs at the knees and bring heels close to your hips.
• Catch your ankles with the hands. Else, place your hands on the floor on sides of your hips.
• Inhale and lift your hips and back slowly in a manner such that your chin touches your neck.
• Close your eyes and concentrate on thyroid area. Remain in this position for few minutes, and then slowly return to normal position. Repeat the process 2 to 3 times.

Bhujangasana (Cobra pose): This asana helps strengthen the back muscles, spine, heart, lungs, kidneys, thyroid glands and stomach.

• Lie on your stomach with forehead touching the ground.
• Fold your legs at the knees, so as to touch the hips with the heels.
• Placing the hands on the floor, lift up your torso, pulling your head and neck backwards by inhaling.
• Now close your eyes and breathe normally.
• Remain in this posture for few seconds and come back to normal by exhaling.
• Repeat two to three times.

Caution: People suffering from hernia are advised against performing this asana.

Here is an asana that is specifically meant to improve the condition of Hypothyroidism.

Sarvangasana (Shoulderstand): This helps in improving blood flow to the neck area, stimulating the thyroid gland.

Fold two thick blankets into a square. Place them at the back end of your mat.

• Lie down with your shoulders on the blankets, but head off them.
• Bring your arms alongside your body and keep them close to your body.
• Keeping legs together, swing your legs and hips up, so that your hips are stacked above your shoulders.
• Place your palms on your lower back with fingers pointing up towards your heel.
• Tuck in your chin, nestling it right in the notch between your collarbones.
• Tuck your elbows closely. Remain in this position for minimum of 50 breaths for maximum benefit.
• Gently come out of the position bending your knees towards forehead, hinging from your hips, using abdominal muscles to roll your back and hips towards the floor. Thereafter, straighten your legs out one at a time.

The asanas described below is thought to be of help for Hyperthyroidism

Nadi Shodhana (Alternate Nostril Breath): This balancing breath technique calms your mind and helps in regulating the pituitary and hypothalamus glands.

• Fold the middle and index fingers of your right hand and close your right nostril with your thumb.
• Inhale with your left nostril.
• Close your left nostril with your ring finger, release your thumb and exhale through right nostril.
• Inhale through your right nostril. Then close it off with your right thumb.
• Release the ring finger and exhale through left nostril.
• Repeat these steps for five to ten rounds.

Balasana (Child’s Pose): This pose will help calm your mind, and soothe your eyes.

• Calm your mind and soothe your eyes with this restful, rejuvenating pose.
• Kneel on your mat, bring your feet together and spread your knees wide apart. Place a bolster between your knees.
• Sit back on your heels. With your pelvis heavy, draw in your navel. Lengthen your spine upward and then bend forward and rest your forehead on your bolster with your arms comfortably at your sides.
• Use a block or folded blanket under your forehead to keep the neck in a neutral position.
• Hold for two to five minutes.

Savasana (Resting pose): With this pose you will ease breathing and soothe sympathetic nervous system.

• Lie on your back with folded blanket under your head, arms and legs, spread slightly apart.
• Keep eyes closed, relax, focused on your breath for 10 minutes.

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