The thyroid gland is a part of the endocrine system and affects the way we metabolize energy, it is also one of the most common endocrine glands to experience dis-ease, disease or imbalance.
The Gland
The thyroid gland is shaped like a butterfly and located at the base of the neck, in between the collar bones. It communicates with the pituitary gland which is located between the eye brows or in the center of the forehead. The thyroid secrete hormones and the pituitary gland informs the thyroid how much or how little the body needs to preform. 
The thyroid can produce too little hormone, which is called hypothyroidism. Or can produce too much thyroid hormone which is called hyperthyroidism. The thyroid can also become imbalanced due to other and various factors and this is called “Hashimoto’s disease”. Two other types of dis-ease in the thyroid are Thyroid cancer (of which there are four) and “Graves Disease”.
The Disconnect
The Mayo clinic describes being hypothyroid as upsetting “the normal balance of chemical reactions in your body. It seldom causes symptoms in the early stages, but, over time, untreated hypothyroidism can cause a number of health problems, such as obesity, joint pain, infertility and heart disease.Hypothyroidism upsets the normal balance of chemical reactions in your body. It seldom causes symptoms in the early stages, but, over time, untreated hypothyroidism can cause a number of health problems, such as obesity, joint pain, infertility and heart disease.
Alternatively, they explain hyperthyroidism as much the opposite. “Hyperthyroidism can accelerate your body’s metabolism significantly, causing sudden weight loss, a rapid or irregular heartbeat, sweating, and nervousness or irritability. ”
The Mayo clinic then describes Graves’ Disease as “an immune system disorder that results in the overproduction of thyroid hormones (hyperthyroidism). Although a number of disorders may result in hyperthyroidism, Graves’ disease is a common cause. Because thyroid hormones affect a number of different body systems, signs and symptoms associated with Graves’ disease can be wide ranging and significantly influence your overall well-being.”
Getting even more complicated, Hashimoto’s disease is described as a “a condition in which your immune system attacks your thyroid, a small gland at the base of your neck below your Adam’s apple. The thyroid gland is part of your endocrine system, which produces hormones that coordinate many of your body’s activities. The resulting inflammation from Hashimoto’s disease, also known as chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis, often leads to an underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism). Hashimoto’s disease is the most common cause of hypothyroidism in the United States. It primarily affects middle-aged women but also can occur in men and women of any age and in children.”
Finally, Thyroid Cancer occurs in the cells of the butterfly shaped gland, and happens when the cells re-occur at an alarming or out of control rate.
Lifestyle
These reasons all encourage us to practice good thyroid health. Simple dietary changes can help support the thyroid, including foods rich in iodine, selenium, zinc, iron and copper.
Purple represents the thyroid cancer support ribbon, and the butterfly is the shape of the thyroid gland itself. Selina has created a powerful image, to this author, representing thyroid awareness. Visit her site and enjoy. http://www.50mmphotography.ca
One can also stay far away from soy based products. The thyroid hormone mimics the estrogen hormone and therefore it is important to stay away from this phyto-estrogen (AKA: plant based estrogen which mimics human estrogen and confuses the body). Some have had noted results adding things like fish, nuts, whole grains, fresh fruits and veggies and by cutting our refined sugars, starchy carbs and gluten.
The other way to manage thyroid levels is to manage stress levels. Meditating or being mindful of your help of stress can help you support your adrenal glands and therefor support thyroid functions. It is all too often that we burn out our adrenal glands, which house our stress fighting hormones and therefore depleting all of our extra stress busting power. Munching seaweed and spending time near the ocean has also been said to promote thyroid health because of the natural iodine and magnesium in the air, however this is unconfirmed. The use of coconut oil is another unconfirmed practice said to help support the thyroid function.
Another way to support a healthy thyroid function is through your yoga practice. We know yoga has a huge impact on the glands in the body, the heart as well as much of the other major functions of the body. But did do you know just how good some of these poses can be for you?
Yoga Poses For The Thyroid
(Information reference from my teaching manual, written by Jason Lu and Karin Chartuz as well as from my personal experience of 20 years with thyroid disease, cancer and treatment)
Please consult your health care practitioner before commencing any of these practices.
This posture is the most commonly noted posture to have positive benefit on the thyroid. The pose itself tucks the chin inward stimulating the thyroid gland as well as the production of the thyroid hormones. This pose also allows the legs to release blood and oxygen, allowing the heart to pump with less intensity and thereby allows the adrenal glands to rest.
Plow often follows Shoulder Stand and is followed by Fish pose. This posture creates pressure in the neck, as the legs come over the face and the toes touch the ground the chin is brought closer to the chest. The thyroid is stiffed for the length of time in the pose, but upon coming out the gland is refreshed and may offer the body an additional burst of hormone. This idea is very similar to that of Eagle, in which we constrict the flow of hormone to really allow it to come back with full force.
Fish pose is often done as the last pose in a sequence. It releases the body by cooling it down but also stretches the neck from the chin to the collarbones, and this stretch activates and stimulates the thyroid gland, and its hormone production.
Viparita Karani/Legs Up The Wall
This posture is one of the most powerful restorative poses as it allows the body to rest and ground down, cases the heart to slow and not work as hard and in this case the entire endocrine system is at rest. This pose is said to help counteract symptoms of a hyperactive thyroid, calming the mind, the heart and cooling the body as well as resting the adrenal glands, offering them a change to replenish stress fighting hormone. It is the most commonly recommended for thyroid disorders as it balances the distribution of hormones.
As we drop the head back in camel we stretch the neck in much of the same way seen in. This elongation of the neck from chin to collarbones allows the stimulation of the gland.
The king of all yoga postures, headstand is the best medicine for a thyroid disorder. This posture acts directly on the thyroid glands bringing wakefulness and energy as well as balancing metabolic functions all without anxiety or nervousness (provided you can get over the fear of falling, use a wall). A malfunctioning of the thyroid can cause much dis-ease in multiple areas of the body and headstand can remedy these bringing health to the vital organ.
This pose reconnects the mind and all parts of the body. When we press through the feet we feel a sense of groundedness allowing us to focus inwards and on the sensations in the body. This is an energizing posture that also cools the body down – it teaches self control, and how to concentrate and direct energy. It can combat symptoms of thyroid imbalance by balancing the endocrine system, especially the pituitary gland in the brain as well as directly stimulating the thyroid gland in the neck via the chin placement. It also balances adrenal glands as well as tones and relaxes the nervous system.
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