The four tiny parathyroid glands, behind the butterfly-shaped thyroid gland near your trachea, produce parathyroid hormone to regulate blood calcium and phosphorous levels. In Bikram yoga theory, poses that stretch or compress the throat stimulate the thyroid and parathyroid glands to encourage proper function. Yoga practice is not a substitute for medical treatment; see your doctor if you suspect parathyroid dysfunction.
Bikram Yoga
Bikram Choudhury introduced his yoga, a series of 26 postures bookended by two breathing exercises, to Southern Californians in the 1970s. By the 2000s, hundreds of Bikram Yoga studios were in operation all over the world. The series picked up the nickname "hot yoga" because yogis practice in 105-degree heat and 35 percent to 40 percent humidity, conditions meant to replicate the climate in Choudhury's native India. Choudhury maintains that the heat makes the muscles more pliable and helps detoxify all the body's organs, joints and glands through sweat.
Parathyroid Hormone Imbalance
Overproduction of parathyroid hormone, or hyperparathyroidism, can cause problems related to improper calcium level in the body. These include brittle bones and fracture-proneness, kidney stones, fatigue and cognitive difficulties. Parathyroid hormone deficiency, or hypoparathyroidism, can manifest as muscle cramps; poor hair, skin and nail health; and fungal infections. In mild cases, there may be no obvious symptoms. Your physician can diagnose parathyroid hormone problems with a blood test. Treatment courses may include surgery and supplements; at the time of publication there were no scientific studies available to confirm the effectiveness of yoga to regulate parathyroid activity.
Compression Postures
In Bikram yoga philosophy, postures that compress the throat stimulate and "rejuvenate" the parathyroid gland, particularly deep compressions such as Sasangasana, or Rabbit. Rabbit requires you to assume a seated position with your heels tucked under your buttocks, then round forward from the lower spine to press your forehead to your knees while holding on to your heels. The position then forces your chin down against your upper chest -- targeting the parathyroid -- as you lift your hips up away from the floor. Other Bikram postures that require similar chin-to-chest positioning include Standing Head to Knee, Standing Separate Leg Head to Knee, Fixed Firm, Wind Removing Pose and Seated Head to Knee.
Stretching Postures
Postures that require yogis to stetch the neck, usually backbends, stimulate the parathyroid gland as well, according to Bikram yoga theory. The Bikram Yoga website highlights Ustrasana, or Camel Pose, as particularly helpful. In Camel, the deepest backbend in the series, you start on your knees, upright, with your knees and feet about 6 inches apart. With hands placed against the small of the back, you drop your head backward and round the back, eventually grabbing your heels with your palms. Other backbending postures in the Bikram series include Standing Bow, Cobra, Half Locust, Full Locust and Bow.
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