According to the Thyroid Foundation of Canada, an estimated 200 million people worldwide suffer from thyroid disease. Types of thyroid disease include hypothyroidism, meaning an underactive thyroid, and hyperthyroidism, meaning an overactive thyroid. Other conditions, such as cardiac disease, lupus, diabetes and arthritis, can be associated with thyroid dysfunction, according to the Thyroid Foundation of Canada.
Although yoga cannot help to cure thyroid disease, certain poses will put pressure on the thyroid, therefore increasing the blood flow to the area and stimulating the organ, according to iYogaLife.com. Other poses, such as restorative poses, will help to calm your mind and body if you are suffering from anxiety due to thyroid disease.
Poses for an Overactive Thyroid
Those with an overactive thyroid can suffer from rapid heart beat, anxiety, sweating and muscle weakness, according to the Mayo Clinic. iYogaLife.com recommends restorative or meditative poses so you don't cause your body additional stress. Reclining bound angle can be modified to include straps, bolsters and pillows to provide you with support and allow you to relax into the pose. Legs-up-the-wall pose also can be modified for comfort and relaxation and can actually help to lower the blood pressure, states iYogaLife.com.
Poses for an Underactive Thyroid
It's believed that poses that put pressure on the neck area will help to stimulate the thyroid, especially if the thyroid is underactive. Those with hypothyroidism can suffer from fatigue, weight gain, muscle aches and depression. The "Yoga Journal" lists plow pose, supported shoulder stand and bridge pose as thyroid-stimulating poses because of the pressure put on the front of the neck. iYogaLife.com states that fish pose opens up the throat and helps to drain the toxins that may have gathered during neck-compressing poses and should be performed to counter poses such as shoulder stand. The "Yoga Journal" also lists king pigeon pose, full boat pose and upward facing two-foot staff pose as having benefits for the thyroid.
Breathing Techniques
According to YogaMax, the ujjayi breath is the best pranyama, or breathing exercises, for your thyroid. Ujjayi breathing helps to clear toxins from your system, give you energy and can be practiced in conjunction with yoga poses or on its own in a meditative pose. To execute ujjayi breathing, you need to breathe through a partially closed glottis. As you exhale, you will hear an audible breath sound--similar to the sound you would make if you were to fog up a mirror, but with your mouth closed. The "Yoga Journal" states that ujjayi breathing also helps to quiet the mind, as well as to slow and smooth out your breathing rhythm.
