Yoga for Thyroid Issues

Yoga can improve your well-being by reducing stress, stretching and strengthening neck muscles, balancing hormones, and improving your circulation.

How yoga helps with thyroid issues:

• Improves circulation
• Reduces stress and anxiety
• Balances energy levels
• Massages and stretches the neck and thyroid area
• Helps balance hormones

Who it’s for:

• Beginner to advanced yogis
• Anyone with hyperthyroidism
• Anyone with hypothyroidism
• Anyone experiencing a hormone imbalance

Who it’s not for:

• Patients recovering from a recent back, spine, or neck surgery

Can Thyroid Issues be Cured by Yoga?

Stress is a major driving factor for most thyroid issues, and regular practice of yoga and meditation can help reduce stress and other symptoms associated with thyroid imbalance. However, there is currently no conclusive data showing that yoga heals thyroid issues.

Before practicing yoga poses for thyroid issues, it’s important to get a correct diagnosis for your issue, so that you can practice the best yoga thyroid poses for your particular problem.Certain poses are more effective at treating symptoms of hypothyroidism, while others can be beneficial in relieving symptoms of hyperthyroidism.

1. Shoulder stand

This pose is particularly beneficial for healing hypothyroidism and it improves your circulation.

 Lie down on 1-2 blankets folded underneath your shoulder blades, with the back of your head on the floor. As you inhale, lift your legs and hips, so that your body is balanced vertically from your upper arms and shoulders. Bending your arms, support your body with your hands on your lower back. Stay here for 5-10 breaths.

 Shoulder stand massages and stimulates the thyroid, and it helps regulate your metabolism.

 2. Bridge pose

Bridge is an excellent pose to treat hyperthyroidism and reduce stress.

Start by lying on your back with your knees bent. On your next exhale, tuck your chin and lift your hips, being careful not to allow your knees to splay outward. Interlace your fingers on the floor underneath you and lift your hips higher, while staying in the pose for 5-10 breaths.

3. Cat-Cow pose

Cat-cow pose is beneficial for both hypo- and hyperthyroidism. This simple exercise can be practiced daily to help heal your thyroid.

Start with your hands and knees on the floor. Inhale and look up, lifting your chin and gently arching your back. As you exhale, drop your chin and look down toward your naval as you curl your spine forward. Continue this movement 5-10 times. 

Cat-cow improves your circulation, stretches your neck muscles, and helps regulate your nervous system.

Yoga Sequence for Thyroid Issues

1. Mountain Pose
2. Standing forward fold
3. Cat-cow
4. Cobra
5. Childs pose
6. Plow pose
7. Shoulder stand
8. Bridge pose
9. Seated forward fold
10. Corpse pose