Thyroid disorders are on the rise in India approximately 1 in 10 Indian adults suffer from hypothyroidism according to statistics. Thyroid is a gland that is found in the front of your neck and is shaped like butterfly wings. Thyroid produces hormones that control your metabolic speed. If you are suffering from thyroid problems, then this condition can slow down your metabolism by reducing the speed of producing hormones. When hormone production decreases or increases, you may witness a wide range of symptoms that can turn out to be life-threatening.

Some of the symptoms of thyroid include weight gain or weight loss, swelling in the neck, rapid changes in heart rate, feeling extremely hot or cold, hair loss, dry skin etc. Most of these symptoms are faced by women and are women-centric.

On the contrary, there is another deadlier condition called hyperthyroidism, where the thyroid gland produces more hormone thyroxines that could cause weight loss rapidly, irregular heart rate, sweating, and irritability. Some of the symptoms faced by people having hyperthyroidism are dry skin, nail weakening, numb feeling in hands, irregular menstrual periods, diarrhoea, muscle weakness, blurry vision etc.

There are two types of thyroids namely Hypothyroid and Hyperthyroid. Hypothyroidism decreases the availability of thyroid hormones that results in your body’s metabolism to function slow. This is usually caused by poor thyroid production and thereby causes diabetes, insulin resistance, and depression.

Hyperthyroidism results in increased thyroid production and causes hyper activeness thereby causing aggressiveness and ineffective nutrition and excess energy that can be dangerous for you and your body. Hyperthyroidism also causes liver dysfunction, nutrition deficiency, and metal toxicity in your body.

Hyperthyroidism can be kept under control naturally through some form of exercise for 20 minutes every day, this active lifestyle will help to stabilize the condition. Although all forms of exercises are good for keeping a check on thyroid but there are a couple of yoga asanas that especially help in managing thyroid. The benefits of these yoga asanas are availed only when they are practiced correctly and regularly. Hence, you must definitely consult a qualified yoga instructor, who can help you practice these yoga poses in the right manner.

Top 10 yoga poses that can help you with your thyroid condition:

Sarvangasana (Shoulder Stand): One of the basic poses that is recommended for treatment of thyroid, the shoulder stand is simple and effective because it increases blood flow to the relevant parts of your upper body. It is performed by lying on the bed and raising the legs up to 90 degrees and supporting the lower part of the body with your hands. As with all yoga poses, your instructor will help ensure that your breathing is synchronized with your movements while practicing this pose.

Viparita Karani (Inverted Pose): Also called as ‘legs up the wall’ pose, this yoga pose is great for beginners. It does not cause pressure on the neck, but at the same time, it improves circulation to the thyroid gland. This pose also helps in allaying anxiety/stress and has an overall calming effect on the body.

Halasana (Plough Pose): This pose begins with lying down flat on your back and bringing your legs over your head, with the result that the body is shaped like a plough. This asana provides compression to the area of the neck and thyroid.

Ustrasana (Camel Pose): The camel pose is practiced by coming onto your knees with your feet extended behind you and letting your head drop back. This helps in stimulating the thyroid gland as well as strengthening the back.

                               

Setu Bandhasana (Bridge Pose): Especially recommended for patients with hypothyroidism, this posture is slightly more difficult but is said to increase circulation to the thyroid gland. 

Matsyasana (Fish Pose): The fish pose and the shoulder stand are collectively known to be the most effective poses for thyroid gland. This pose not only stimulates circulation in the thyroid and surrounding area, but also decreases stress and helps curb depression.

Dhanurasana (Bow Pose): Especially aimed at patients with hypothyroidism, the bow pose helps massage the thyroid gland, and improves health and vitality in women.

Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose): A gentle pose that increases circulation in the neck region, this involves lying down flat on your stomach and lifting up your head, chest, and shoulders. This also strengthens the core of the body and decreases stress/ fatigue.

Sirshasana (Headstand Pose): One of the most difficult-to-achieve yoga postures, this improves alertness in the body and also directly increases blood flow to the thyroid gland.

Yoga is extremely effective in restoring balance and health as well as improving circulation and stimulation of the thyroid gland. However, these asanas must be performed in the presence of a qualified yoga instructor if you are a beginner to avoid any complications.

It’s true that a healthy lifestyle is the key to leading a healthy life in the future and for which it is important to monitor thyroid health from time to time, since it’s so common amongst women.

References :

https://www.theweek.in/news/health/2019/07/23/thyroid-disorders-rise-india.html

https://www.apollodiagnostics.in/blog/10-yoga-poses-to-improve-thyroid-health