Thyroid problems affect a large part of population worldwide and are widespread in India as well. Often, people are unaware of their thyroid issue, which causes many cases to remain concealed. Modern lifestyle and stress resulting from it are considered the major factors leading to thyroid problems. Fortunately, many of the issues related to thyroid can easily be managed with yoga.

Yoga is considered a holistic and natural approach to boost thyroid health, irrespective of whether you have hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism. This ancient practise, with its specific yoga poses and breathing techniques, offers you an effective tool to control and manage your thyroid disorder. As we all are aware, practicing yoga regularly not only improves your overall health but also provides harmony and balance to the mind and body. This treasured practice also offers certain poses to deal with thyroid ailments.

Different yoga poses for thyroid

Yoga for thyroid helps individuals with hyperthyroidism as well as hypothyroidism by stimulating the thyroid gland through various poses, in addition to boosting their overall well-being. Some of the yoga poses for thyroid problems are listed here:

1. Sarvangasana (shoulder stand)

   The shoulder stand works by putting strain on the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland receives considerable supply of blood due to its importance in the body. Sarvangasana allows the blood to circulate freely and easily to the thyroid glands. This asana helps reverse the symptoms of hypothyroidism with the release of blood into the thyroid glands. Here’s a step-by-step guide to perform Sarvangasana accurately:

   • Lie down on your back. Keep your hands on your sides.
   • Breath in deeply. Then, lift your legs up in the air.
   • Continue lifting till your hips and lower back are also off the ground.
   • Put your hands on your lower back for support. Point your legs towards the sky.
   • Hold this position for as long as you can comfortably or for 5 to 7 breaths.
   • Slowly bring your legs down and return to the original position.

Your neck should remain relaxed throughout this pose.

2. Viparita Karani (inverted pose)

   The inverted pose or Viparita Karani can help control hypothyroidism along with a number of other issues. This pose also calms you down. The inverted pose offers your various benefits like stress reduction, regulated sleep cycles, and reduced anxiety. Here’s a step-by-step guide to perform Viparita Karani accurately:

   • Sit on the floor next to a wall.
   • Strech out with your back on the floor. Keep your legs touching against the wall. The soles of your feet should be facing upward.
   • Maintain a distance of a few inches between your hips and the wall.
   • Rest your legs gently on the wall; keep the knees relaxed throughout the pose. You will feel a mild stretch.
   • Remain in this position for 5 to 10 minutes or for as long as you comfortably can. Take slow and controlled breaths, and focus on your breathing.
3. Setu Bandhasana (bridge pose)

   The bridge posture or Setu Bandhasana is helpful yoga for thyroid ailments. This posture allows you to stretch your neck, which improves blood circulation to thyroid gland. Moreover, this pose also lowers migraines, heals asthma, and strengthens muscles. This pose must be avoided by women in their third trimester. Here’s a step-by-step guide to perform Setu Bandhasana accurately:

   • Lie down on your back.
   • Bend your legs in the knees. Keep a hip-width distance between your legs. Keep the ankles and knees in a straight line.
   • Keep the arms on your side. Your palms should be facing down.
   • Take a slow, deep breath and lift your lower, middle, and finally, upper back off the floor while breathing.
   • Lift the chest up towards your chin with gently rolling your shoulders. Your body weight must be supported with your arms, shoulders, and feet.
   • Ensure that your thighs are parallel to the floor and each other. Feel the tension in your buttocks.
   • Keep taking comfortable breaths throughout.
   • Maintain this pose for a minute or for as long as it is comfortable to you. Then, exhale slowly as you come out of the pose.
4. Halasana (plough pose)

   This pose again shows the unique relation between thyroid and yoga. In this pose, your neck undergoes stretching, which allows your thyroid glands to stimulate. Halasana is specifically beneficial for individuals with hypothyroidism as thyroid hormones get secreted on doing this asana. If you have hyperthyroidism, you should avoid Halasana. In addition to regulating thyroid secretion, this position strengthens the back and stomach muscles and helps relax the autonomic nervous system. Here’s a step-by-step guide to perform Halasana accurately:

   • Start with Sarvangasana or the shoulder stand position.
   • Breathe in deeply; bring your feet towards your head. Keep your legs straight while bringing them down.
   • Support your body weight with keeping your hands on the floor. Allow your neck to relax.
   • Remain in this pose for 5 to 10 breaths or for as long as you comfortably can. Then, slowly return to the shoulder stand position.
5. Shavasana (corpse pose)

   The corpse pose or Shavasana is a position that allows your entire body and mind to relax immensely with a focus on your inner awareness. Although in this pose you only have to lie down on the floor, this asana can prove to be highly challenging one. Here’s a step-by-step guide to perform Shavasana accurately:

   • Stretch out your back and close your eyes; do not use any pillows.
   • Keep your arms on the side of your body. Keep your palms facing upward.
   • Relax your legs. Keep them comfortably apart.
   • Focus on each of your body part; starting with your feet, keep moving upward. Consciously relax each body part as you shift your focus.
   • Take slow, deep breaths. Allow your breathing to relax you.
   • Remain in this relaxed state for 10 to 20 minutes. Do not to fall asleep while performing this asana.
   • Then, roll onto your right side. Stay in this position for a minute.
   • With the help of your right hand, lift yourself up into a seated position.
   • Breathe deeply for a minute; allow yourself to become aware of your body and surroundings.
   • When you are ready, open your eyes slowly.

Benefits of yoga for thyroid health

Yoga for hypothyroidism as well as hyperthyroidism offers a natural and holistic means to manage the two conditions. By regularly practising yogasana and pranayama for only a few minutes, you gain numerous advantages such as regulated thyroid function, reduced stress, balance in your life, and enhanced well-being.

Some of the most prominent benefits of yoga poses for thyroid problems are presented here.

• Improved thyroid function: Regular practice of certain yoga positions such as shoulder stand and inverted pose can lead to effective stimulation of the thyroid gland. Thus, yoga for thyroid provides optimal functioning of the thyroid glands.

• Hormonal balance: Pranayama (breathing exercises), when practiced regularly, can help regulate the hormonal balance in the body. With specific pranayama, people can manage and regulate the synthesis and secretion of hormones in the body, which is crucial for thyroid health.

• Enhanced blood circulation: Yoga for thyroid gland can improve the circulation of blood in the body, especially in the neck (location of the thyroid gland) and head regions. Some of the yogasanas can improve blood flow to the thyroid gland, which consequently boosts its functioning.

• Managing stress levels: The unique relation between yoga and thyroid provides an additional benefit of anxiety and stress reduction. With regular yoga practice, you can overcome chronic stress, which, when left untreated, can aggravate thyroid disorders.

Importance of health insurance policy for thyroid problems

Yoga has been used as a traditional tool by many to control and manage numerous of conditions; thyroid is one such condition that can be managed with the regular and mindful practice of yoga. Although yoga proves beneficial in the management of disorders related to thyroid, it cannot be used as a treatment approach for the condition.

To treat your condition, you must consult a doctor, who will ask you to undergo a few tests for accurate diagnosis and treatment. In such a case, having a health insurance policy can help you by reducing your financial burden resulting from various medical expenses like diagnostic tests and specialist consultation. Such a policy can provide you with cover for all the expenses incurred from the thyroid disorder. You can consider buying an insurance policy that suits your needs perfectly with the help of a health insurance calculator.

FAQs

Practising yoga regularly can help you control and manage your thyroid issues. It can regularise hormone secretion and help you manage stress and anxiety, which further prevent the aggravation of thyroid problems.

Viparita Karani, Halasana, Sarvangasana, and Shavasana are some yoga positions that can help regulate your thyroid function. Regular practice of these yogasanas can be highly beneficial in the long-term management and control of thyroid problems.

Yoga for thyroid gland can help you manage and lose weight as well. However, some of the yoga poses for thyroid may not give you as effective results for weight loss as for thyroid management. You can opt for some additional yoga poses that specifically focus on weight loss.

No. Regular practice of yoga can help you manage and control the symptoms of your thyroid disorder; however, it cannot cure the condition. You must seek out doctor consultation to get treatment for your thyroid disorder.