Yoga for hypothyroidism - By what way yoga pranayama is useful for hypothyroid
First of all, let us understand what hypothyroidism is. The thyroid gland produces the thyroid hormones so vital to the body’s functioning. Hypothyroidism is a condition in which, owing to the malfunctioning of the thyroid gland, you have a low thyroid hormone production – well below desired levels. Quite a few disorders result in hypothyroidism, which may – directly or indirectly – involve the thyroid gland. Since the thyroid hormone governs an individual’s growth, development and quite a few cellular processes, insufficient thyroid hormone has numerous consequences on the body.
Symptoms of hypothyroidism
The main, manifest symptoms of hypothyroidism are:
- Water retention and excessive weight gain
- Low heart rate called bradycardia, which can be below sixty beats per minute
- Intolerance to cold or greater sensitivity to cold
- Constipation
- Depression
- Dry, irritable skin
- Too much sweating
- Fatigue
- Goiter
- Joint pains and muscle cramps
- Pale complexion
- Poor muscle tone, called muscle hypotonia
- Thin, fragile hair and fingernails
Yoga for hypothyroidism
Yoga has known to be extremely helpful in stimulating and regulating an under-active thyroid gland. There are certain Yogasanas (poses) that help massage the gland, thereby helping to regulate thyroid functioning. The pose that is best for improving thyroid functioning is Sarvangasana (Shoulder Stand). There are a lot of other wonderful Yogasanas (poses) that help stimulate the thyroid gland and are listed below.
- Sarvangasana (Shoulder Stand)
- Dhanurasana (Bow Pose)
- Sashankasana (Rabbit Pose)
- Matsyasana (Fish Pose)
- Simhasana (Lion Pose)
- Ustrasana (Camel Pose)
Pranayama (Breathing exercises)
Pranayama (breathing exercises) are extremely beneficial in helping to re-balance metabolism. Its benefits have been traced to reversing the 2 commonest causes of hypothyroidism. Of the two fairly common causes the 1st is known to be the result of previous (or presently ongoing) thyroid inflammation that leaves a large number of thyroid cells of the damaged (if not dead). This, definitely, renders them incompetent to produce adequate thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). The commonest cause of failure of the thyroid gland is called autoimmune thyroiditis (it is also called Hashimoto’s thyroiditis). This is a form of thyroid inflammation resulting from the patient’s own immune system. The 2nd major cause is the wide range of medical treatments. Practice of Pranayama (breathing exercises) is known to help reverse this process to a large extent; and, even if the condition is not wholly curable, it can still be controlled, over time. The suggested pranayama (breathing exercises) are:
- Kapalabhatti (Skull Cleansing)
- Nadi Shodana or Anuloma-Viloma (Alternate Nostril Breathing)
- Ujjayi (Ocean Breath)
However, you will have to continue practicing consistently for some time, if you are to see positive results.
