Top 10 Yoga Poses for Thyroid Treatment and Prevention

Yoga has great significance in treating thyroid disorders. The various stretching, twisting, and compressing yoga asanas massage the thyroid gland and instruct it to release thyroxin, helping in body metabolism.

Best Yoga poses for thyroid problems

Yoga is one of the essential natural solutions to treat thyroid disorders. The different Yoga poses provide thyroid treatment. These poses are also beneficial in the prevention and management of thyroid. We are describing here the best 10 yoga poses for both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism.

1. Sarvangasana (Shoulder stand pose): Sarvangasana plays an important role to stimulate the thyroid gland. This is the most effective yoga pose to cure thyroid problems.
2. Viparitakarani (Inverted Pose): Viparita means ‘reverse’, and Karni means ‘by which’. Viparitakarni helps to balance the functioning of the thyroid and eases the complications caused by the hypoactive thyroid. This is also one of the essential asanas for thyroid disorders.
3. Halasana (Plough pose): Hala means plow. The pose resembles an Indian plough; hence, it is called halasana. This yoga exercise gives compression to the neck and stimulates the thyroid glands.
4. Matsyasana (Fish Pose): Matsya means fish; in the final pose, the asana takes the form of a fish. Hence, the name is Matsyasana. Matsyasana provides adequate stretching to the neck region, thereby stimulating the thyroid gland.
5. Ustrasana (Camel Pose): This asana stretches the neck.
6. Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutation) : Kapalbhati and Pranayamas, if practiced with proper technique, help reduce thyroid symptoms and signes.
7. Bhujangasana (The cobra pose): The cobra pose is one of the few yoga poses, which gives full body compressing and stretching including the neck region thereby regulating the thyroid glands.
8. Setubandh Sarvangasana (Bridge formation pose): This yoga is vital for thyroid disorder. While performing Setubandh Sarvangasana, if the practitioner successfully forms a good bridge, the neck gets ample stretch, which is good for the thyroid gland.
9. Sirshasana (Headstand pose): Sirshasana manages the thyroid gland and balances metabolic functions thereby ensures perfect health to the thyroid gland. 
10. Dhanurasana (The Bow Pose):The bow massages the thyroid gland and active it to produce thyroid hormone.

Diet tips for thyroid disorders

• A diet with high fibre content should be taken.
• Avoid eating more fats and carbohydrates.
• Give more and more thrust to green and leafy vegetables.
• Special focus should be given to seasonal fruits.
• Ginger greatly enhances thyroid function. Chew ginger or make ginger tea.
• Black walnut contains iodine, which nourishes the thyroid gland.
• Foods like curd, fish, meat, eggs, radish, and oatmeal contain a good amount of iodine. So take this diet regularly to control thyroid problems
• Gomutra (Cow urine):
• Sunrays: walk in the morning sunlight for about 10-15 minutes
• Drinking of  coconut oil improves the function of the thyroid hormone
• Take diets such as carrots, pumpkin, sprouts, spinach, wheatgrass, and seaweeds because of their iodine content.

Thyroid diet prevention & precaution

The foods mentioned above should not be taken for those with thyroid problems.

• Avoid cauliflower, cabbage, and broccoli
• Non-vegetarian foods
• Milk and milk products
• Spicy and fast foods
• Bananas, mango, and grapes should be avoided.
• Refined and preserved foods

What are the causes of Thyroid?

• Excessive growth of thyroid tissue
• Improper functioning of the thyroid gland
• Deficiency of Iodine
• Thyroid cyst
• Thyroid inflammation
• Thyroiditis
• Thyroid surgery
• Pituitary gland damage
• Autoimmune disease

What are the symptoms of Thyroid?

• Weight gain
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Neck swelling
• Low energy level
• Hair Loss
• Constipation
• Skin problems (Thick, dry and scaly)
• Heart problems (rapid heartbeat or palpitations)
• Body ache
• Feeling of chillness
• Nervousness
• Irritation
• Fatigue
• Muscular pain
• Irregular period
• Puffy face
• Loss of memory
• Disturbed sleeping
• Water retention

Thyroid disease in the USA

Many people are suffering from thyroid disorders in the United States of America (USA). This is the third most widespread disease in the USA after Hypertension and Diabetes. As per a recent American Thyroid Association (ATA) survey, about 20 million Americans have thyroid-related problems. Surprisingly, more than 50% of them are unaware of this disease.  The most important causative factor to the thyroid is a stressful lifestyle.

The sound of Yogic ‘OM’ 20-30 times is also beneficial for the smooth functioning of the thyroid gland.