Feeling like your body’s on a rollercoaster ride? Hormonal imbalances can seriously mess with your mood, energy, and overall well-being. Whether it's stress, diet, or just life happening, our hormones can easily go haywire. But here’s the good news: Yoga can be a game-changer. With the right yoga poses, you can help balance those pesky hormones, reduce stress, and get your body back on track. Imagine a routine that not only calms your mind but also supports your endocrine system. Intrigued? So, grab your mat and let’s explore how yoga can help you reclaim your balance and feel more in sync with your body.
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How Does Yoga Help Balance Hormones?
Yoga helps balance hormones through a combination of physical postures, breath control, and mindfulness practices. Here’s how it works:
Reduces Stress:
Yoga lowers cortisol levels, the body's primary stress hormone, which can negatively impact hormonal balance.
Improves Blood Circulation:
Certain poses enhance blood flow to hormone-producing glands like the thyroid, pancreas, and adrenal glands, promoting optimal function.
Stimulates Endocrine System:
Poses like shoulder stands and fish pose directly stimulate glands like the thyroid and pituitary, helping regulate hormone production.
Balances Nervous System:
Yoga activates the parasympathetic nervous system, reducing the fight-or-flight response and promoting hormonal equilibrium.
Enhances Detoxification:
Through twists and deep breathing, yoga supports the liver and kidneys, aiding in the removal of toxins that can disrupt hormone balance.
Supports Reproductive Health:
Specific poses target the reproductive organs, improving conditions like PCOS and enhancing fertility by balancing sex hormones.
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Incorporating yoga into your daily routine can help balance hormones, reduce stress, and enhance your overall quality of life.
Here are five superb yogasanas to support endocrine health:
5 Restorative Yoga Poses To Remedy Hormonal Imbalance
Ustrasana (Camel Pose)
Place your knees hip-width apart on the mat. With your fingers pointed down, place your hands on your lower back. As you extend your hands to your heels and press your hips forward, slowly arch your back. Gently tilt your head back, widening your neck and chest. After a few breaths, hold the pose and then gently come back to the beginning position.
Benefits:
Ustrasana is known for its ability to stimulate the thyroid and parathyroid glands, which are crucial for regulating metabolism and calcium levels. This pose also helps in relieving tension from the neck and back, improving circulation to the endocrine glands.
Halasana (Plow Pose)
Lie on your back on the yoga mat with your arms placed by your sides, and palms facing down. Lift your legs over your head, using your core strength to bring your feet towards the floor behind you. Support your lower back with your hands if needed, keeping your legs straight and toes pointed. Hold the pose for a few breaths, then slowly roll back down to the starting position.
Benefits:
Halasana is excellent for stimulating the thyroid, parathyroid, and pituitary glands. It helps in reducing stress, calming the mind, and improving digestion, which are essential for maintaining hormonal balance.
Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose)
Lie on your stomach on the ground with your hands placed on either side of your shoulders. Press into your hands, lifting your chest off the ground while keeping your elbows close to your body. Open your chest and look slightly upward, ensuring your legs and feet remain on the ground. Be in this pose for a few breaths, then gently lower back down and be in a lying position.
Benefits:
Bhujangasana stimulates the adrenal glands, which are responsible for producing stress hormones like cortisol. This pose also improves blood circulation and strengthens the spine, contributing to overall hormonal health.
Setu Bandhasana (Bridge Pose)
Lie on your back on the yoga mat with your knees bent and feet placed hip-width apart. Press your feet into the mat, lifting your hips towards the ceiling. Interlace your fingers underneath your body, pressing your arms and shoulders into the ground for support. Hold this position for 30 seconds before gently lowering your hips back down into the lying position.
Benefits:
Setu Bandhasana helps in stimulating the thyroid gland and improving blood flow to the endocrine system. It also alleviates stress and anxiety, which can contribute to hormonal imbalances.
Sarvangasana (Shoulder Stand)
Lie on your back on the yoga mat with your arms placed by your sides. Lift your legs and hips towards the ceiling, supporting your lower back with your hands. Straighten your legs and align your body in a straight line from shoulders to toes. Be in this position for a few breaths or as long as you can, then slowly lower your back down.
Benefits:
Sarvangasana is considered a full-body workout that stimulates the thyroid and parathyroid glands. This pose helps in improving circulation, reducing stress, and promoting relaxation, all of which are essential for hormonal balance.
Conclusion
Incorporating these yoga poses into your daily routine can significantly benefit your endocrine health and help balance your hormones. Remember to practice regularly and listen to your body, adjusting poses as needed. Alongside yoga, maintaining a healthy diet, staying hydrated, and managing stress are crucial for optimal hormonal health. With consistency and mindfulness, yoga can be a powerful tool in supporting your endocrine system and overall well-being.
(This article is reviewed by Kalyani Krishna Chief Content Editor)
Author Profile
Soumita Basu:
Soumita Basu holds a Bachelor's Degree in Pharmacy and is keenly interested in Ayurveda, home remedies, yoga, fitness, diagnostics, and beauty. With nearly 6 years of experience, she produces evidence-based health content, including articles, videos, and infographics, to provide valuable insights to her audience.
References:
1. Effect of Regular Yogic Training on Growth Hormone and Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate as an Endocrine Marker of AgingAuthors: Sridip Chatterjee 1 ,* and Samiran Mondal 2 ,*
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4034508/
2. Effect of yoga therapy on physical and psychological quality of life of perimenopausal women in selected coastal areas of Karnataka, IndiaAuthors: Gayathry Nayak, Asha Kamath,1 Pratap N. Kumar,2 and Anjali Rao3
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4264281/