Yoga is one of the best forms of physical exercise that you can do if you have Hashimoto’s, especially if you are having a flare-up. In this post, You are going to learn my favorite yoga stretches for Hashimoto’s.
Why you need Yoga Stretches For Hashimoto’s
Yoga can not only help to regulate your metabolism but it will also work to regulate and balance your hormones. There have been several studies that have proved the positive benefits of yoga for improving your thyroid function. See here and here.
Yoga isn’t just a physical practice. Its literal meaning is union. It focuses on your breath and physical movement as well as your mental and spiritual well-being. Yoga is a big part of my Ayurveda practice, they are sister sciences after all!
Yoga is gentle enough for you to do during a flare-up, and all you need is a space in your home where you have enough space to lay down, and maybe a yoga mat.
So without further ado, here are 8 yoga stretches for Hashimoto’s that you can do at home.
1. Cat-Cow
Cat-cow is the one asana I try and do every day. No matter how awful and exhausted I feel. I can always muster up enough energy to get on all fours and do at least 6-10 rounds of cat-cow. As you open up on the exhale dropping your belly and exposing your throat chakra it helps to bring blood flow to this sensitive area. Remember to send your focus to your throat chakra throughout this exercise with the intention of opening and stimulating.
Main Benefits of Cat-Cow for the Thyroid
- Massages and stimulates the adrenal glands.
- Helps to create emotional balance.
- A big stress reliever helps to calm the mind and gives you more mental clarity.
2. Legs Up The Wall – Viparita Karani
Legs up the wall is my other goto asana. For this one, you don’t even need to leave your bed! You just simply get your butt as close to the wall as you can and then roll on up. You want to try and stay there for at least 5 minutes.
This post is a supercharged restorative yoga pose. Because you are completely supported you aren’t putting pressure on any of your joints, or having to fully invert. So you get the benefits without putting your body under any stress. Perfect if you are in a thyroid flare-up.
Main Benefits of Legs up the wall for the Thyroid
- Stress zapper
- Regulates blood flow which helps with poor circulation
- Improves digestion
3. Cobra Bhujangasana
Cobra pose offers a more gentle thyroid gland stimulation. Often for me, the deep-throat chakra openers can feel very intense for me. So if I’m in a flare up I prefer to stick to the more gentle heart-opening asana like Cobra. With Cobra I can open my throat chakra as much as I’m comfortable with and focus more on opening my heart chakra and bringing that energy into my body.
Main Benefits of Cobra for Hashimoto’s
- Helps relieve stress and fatigue.
- Opens up the heart chakra.
4. Bow – Dahanurasana
Bow is another heart opener that is going to give you energy. As with Cobra, you can decide if you want to fully open the throat chakra by releasing your head back. When I’m feeling good, I open up. When I feel too sensitive I focus on opening my heart more.
Main Benefits of Bow for the Thyroid
- Stimulates the organs of the abdomen and neck
- can help to facilitate digestion
5. Camel
Camel is a mega asan for stimulating the throat chakra but it also feels very intense, so go slow and stop at any time if the asana becomes too intense for you.
The Main Benefits of Camel for the Thyroid
- stimulates the thyroid gland
- Increases circulation to the throat area
6. Shoulder stand – Sarvangasana
Of all of the asanas I’ve mentioned here in this post, this is my number 1 for thyroid stimulation. I was in a yoga class in Medellin and unbeknown to me that class the teacher had planned a thyroid stimulation class and wow, did I feel it. She had us in several supported shoulder stands for an extended time. By the end of the class, I felt like I could run a marathon.
In this asana, the blood is flowing freely down the legs and right to your throat chakra and it is believed this is stimulating for the thyroid gland and that it works a treat for improving your energy.
Main Benefits of Shoulder stand for the Thyroid
- Stimulates the thyroid
- Keeps the spine flexible
- Sends more blood to the brain
7. Plough – Halasana
Plough is the asana that I always do to follow shoulder stand in my daily practice. It is an extension of shoulderstand and you can get very similar benefits. As the legs are down there is just a bit less blood flow. Many people actually find plough far easier, others don’t. So see how you feel.
Main Benefits of Plough for the Thyroid
- Calms the brain.
- Stimulates the thyroid gland.
- Reduces stress and fatigue.
8. Fish Pose – Matsyasana
Fish pose is the perfect counter pose to shoulder stand. It can also be done on its own, but I almost always do it following shoulder stand and plough which restrict and close the throat chakra. Fish opens it right up. It is common for me to experience a bit of mild discomfort in this throat-opening asana, especially during a flare, it normally causes me to cough a little. If you feel the same, try and stay with it as it is very beneficial. However, if you feel any pain, stop immediately.
I always couple fish pose with some lion breaths, normally 3-6.
Main Benefits of Fish Pose for the Thyroid
- Stimulates the thyroid gland
- Lightens your mood by gently opening your heart chakra and allowing more oxygen intake
- Released stress and tension from the neck, shoulders, and back
