Thyroid disorders usually develop in the body, when there is a problem in the thyroid gland and it cannot produce the hormones that are required to regulate the metabolism. Thyroid problems can lead to one of the two conditions, hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. Hypothyroidism refers to the lack of thyroid hormones in the blood and hyperthyroidism indicates the opposite, i.e., an excessive supply of the thyroid hormones in the body.

The symptoms and problems associated with thyroid problems include fatigue, weight fluctuations, water retention, irregular sleeping patterns, mood swings as well as pain in the joints and muscles. People usually adopt various treatment options, to alleviate this condition. Several health experts and even doctors recommend Yoga for thyroid conditions, as it stimulates the thyroid gland and balances the metabolism.

Some of the most effective yoga poses for thyroid include:

• Pranayama (Breathing Technique)
• Padmasana (The Lotus Pose)
• Vrikshasana (The Tree Pose)
• Bhujangasana (The Cobra Pose)
• Bidalasana (The Cat Pose)
• Sarvangasana (The Shoulder Stand Pose)
• Navasana (The Boat Pose)
• Matsyasana (The Fish Pose)
• Uttana Padasana (The Raised Feet Pose)

Yoga postures thyroid benefits

One of the main causes of hypothyroidism is stress. Yoga is one of the best ways to reduce stress and anxiety. It can also help maintain a perfect balance between the body and the mind. The yoga hypothyroidism postures mentioned above massage the thyroid glands and stimulate them too, which subsequently results in correcting the disorder, improving the function of the glands and helping them to work at an optimal level. Yoga for thyroid disorders also helps to improve circulation, boost metabolism, reduce stiffness and strengthen the shoulders, torso and neck.

Most of the exercises in yoga for thyroid problems are relatively simple and some of them are a part of a yoga routine for beginners. However, even the easiest yoga exercises should only be practiced under the supervision and guidance of a qualified Yoga teacher. Some of the yoga hypothyroidism postures are not suitable for people who suffer from certain medical conditions, such as heart, hip, neck and back problems. Therefore, the yoga teacher should be informed about any medical problems that a beginner suffers from.

Yoga for thyroid disorders should ideally be used as a supplement to medical treatment, as it can alleviate the symptoms but may not necessarily cure the condition. It is absolutely essential to check with a doctor and get an approval before practicing any yoga poses .

Experts say that a woman over 35 has a 30 percent chance of developing a thyroid disorder. A simple explanation is that today’s more sensitive and sophisticated tests detect the ailment earlier, leading to more diagnoses. However, even if that is true many experts think hypothyroidism is under-diagnosed. Even researchers are baffled by it, they don’t know why. The possible explanations for thyroid include the following:
• Stress
• Environmental toxins
• Nutritional deficiencies and/or imbalances

Two types of thyroid disorders:

Hyperthyroidism: Hyper secretion of thyroid hormone could be the result of autoimmune diseases. This is found to be more frequent in women than in men. In this condition, the thyroid gland gets enlarged two-three times its original size. It is also called goitre and also causes the eye to protrude as well as an abnormally high metabolic rate. This produces a range of effects that includes higher pulse rate, high body temperature, heat intolerance, and moist flushed skin. The person tends to lose weight and is generally full of ‘nervous’ energy.

Hypothyroidism: Hyposecretion of thyroid hormone occurs during fetal life or infancy, or during adulthood. These are known as cretinism and myxedema respectively. It is know to lead to dwarfism and mental retardation. Besides other things, cretin also exhibits retarded sexual development and. a yellowish skin color. It lowers the body temperature, slows down the heart rate and brings general lethargy. People suffering from myxedema have sensitivity to cold.

Yoga for thyroid problems
By stimulating the function of the thyroid, pituitary, pineal and adrenal glands, Yoga normalizes them. It limbers and stretches the neck, as well as strengthens and tones the nervous system. The thyroid gland is mainly responsible for correct weight and youthful appearance as it controls metabolism. Yoga stimulates the thyroid gland to work at its peak efficiency. Since the pituitary gland also gets stimulated, it helps improve their function.

Yoga Poses and Asanas for Thyroid:

• Sarvangasana
• Naukasana
• Uttanpadasana
• Matsyasana
• Yashtikasana

Suggested Pranayams for Thyroid:

• Kapalabhati Pranayama
• Anulom-Vilom Pranayama
• Ujjayi

Is it better to exercise in the morning, or later in the day?

Let your circadian rhythms be your guide. In the afternoon or early evening, your core temperature is warmer. A warm core makes your muscles and joints more supple, which helps you avoid strains and sprains. That makes afternoon or early evening ideal for exercises that tap your muscles, like strength training, stretching, and interval workouts.

Mornings are good too!
On the other hand, if endurance activities are more your type —long brisk walks or bike rides — morning may be better. Your body’s core is cooler early in the day, which can make endurance activities seem less tiring. And there is less risk of overheating. But a good warm-up will be key, since your muscles are likely to be stiffer in the mornings.

No-Sweat Scheduling
Tune up your muscles, lungs, and heart with these well-timed workouts:
Mornings: Get energised. Walk your way to a slimmer you — in your own home!

After-noons: Muscle up your midday. It can be quick and easy. Then, get flexible with a chi-gong exercise.

Evenings: Stretch yourself to sleep. It really helps.

Stuck in an exercise rut? Get tips on diversifying your fitness portfolio — and make long-term health gains.

Yoga is definitely one of the best ways to reduce waist size and make your waist slim and trim. Yoga poses like Surya Namaskar, Triangle Pose, Bridge Pose and Standing forward bend (Hastpadasana) yoga poses are very effective to reduce waist size.

Is your waistline bothering you in middle age? Try regular yoga, says a new study.

The study, led by researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Centre (FHCRC), is the first of its kind to measure the effects of yoga on weight.

The study involved 15,500 healthy, middle-aged men and women who were asked to complete a written survey recalling their physical activity (including yoga) and weight history between the ages 45 and 55.

The study measured the impact of yoga with weight change, independent of other factors such as diet or other types of physical activity.

The researchers found that between the ages of 45 and 55, most people gained about half a kg a year, which is a common pattern as people age and do not trim calorie intake to their declining energy needs.

“However, men and women who were of normal weight at age 45 and regularly practiced yoga gained about three fewer pounds during that 10-year period than those who didn’t practice yoga,” said FHCRC’s Alan R. Kristal, study co-author.

For the study, regular yoga practice was defined as practicing at least 30 minutes once a week for four or more years.

“Men and women who were overweight and practiced yoga lost about five pounds, while those who did not practise yoga gained about 14 pounds in that 10-year period,” said Kristal, professor of epidemiology at the University of Washington School of Public Health (WUSM).

What accounts for yoga’s apparent fat-fighting potential? Kristal, himself a long time yoga practitioner, suspects it has more to do with increased body awareness than the physical activity itself.

“During a very vigorous yoga practice you can burn enough calories to lose weight, but most people don’t practise that kind of yoga,” he said.

“From my experience, I think it has to do with the way that yoga makes you more aware of your body. So when you’ve eaten enough food, you’re sensitive to the feeling of being full, and this makes it much easier to stop eating before you’ve eaten too much.”

Study co-author Denise Benitez, owner of Seattle Yoga Arts, agrees. “Most people practise yoga in a way that’s not aerobic enough to burn a lot of calories, so it has to be some other reason.”

These findings appeared in the August issue of Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine.

Procedure of Kapal Bhati Pranayam: Push air forcefully out. Stomach will itself go in.

Duration of Kapal Bhati Pranayam: Start with 30 times or 1 min. increase upto 5 mins min. upto 10 mins max.

Benefits of Kapal Bhati Pranayam: increases aabha and tej. helps in obesity, constipation, gastric, acidity, Croesus(liver), hepatitis B, uterus, diabetes, stomach problems, cholesterol, allergic problems, asthma, snoring, concentration, and even cancer and AIDS.

Tips for Kapal Bhati Pranayam: Heart and high BP patients, and weak people do it slowly.

Swami Ramdev Baba has said that “dharti ki sanjivini hai kapal-bhati pranayam” and that it “cures all diseases of world”.

I don’t need to tell you again that the face attracts the maximum attention and so everybody takes very very special care of the face and when it comes to face, your eyes are the most important of all.

Eyes are the most important part of our face, body and life. There is not doubt that everyone wants to have beautiful eyes so that the look of their face is enhanced. But it is the bitter truth that the younger generation is suffering with under eyes dark circles problem and you wont be surprised that a lot of actors and actress too have dark circles under the eyes.

Nobody likes dark circles and everybody who has them wants to get rid of dark circles but most of them do not know the cause of under eyes dark circle. So let me throw some light on the common reasons of under eye dark circles:

There are a number reasons for under eyes dark circles -

• Heredity
• Exposure to Sun
• Allergies and Eczema
• Nutrition
• Tiredness and Lack of Sleep
• Pregnancy and Menstruation
• Age
• Blood circulation
• Sinus and nasals
• Stress
• Bone and facial structure

I know what you are thinking, how to get rid of under eyes dark circles?

Let me tell you that under eyes dark circles treatment is possible. If anyone checks his/her habits and makes a note of the possible reasons of dark circles, it is possible that under eyes dark circles can be cured.

There are many cosmetics and skin care products that claim will help you get rid of under eyes dark circles but I would advice you to be really careful before buying just any cream or cosmetic. Make sure the brand is well known and there is no harm in talking to a few friends about that brand as well as the particular product. There are tons of cosmetics that claim to provide a quick fix to dark circles but one, it could be expensive and two, it might have some side effects. So I am sharing some home remedies for dark circles that may not be a quick fix but I am sure that they don’t have a major side-affect and are not expensive at all:

Almonds: Soak a couple of almonds overnight. Peel the skin, prepare a paste and add a few drops of lime juice. Put this paste under your eyes for 12-15 minutes. Try this home remedy thrice a week for 4-6 weeks and you will see that this paste works well to reduce darkness under the eyes.

Mint Leaves and Cucumber: One of the oldest and well known home remedy is to put cucumber slices on your eyes for 10-15 minutes. This not only helps to get rid of under eyes dark circles but also relaxes your eyes.

You can also crush 10 mint leaves and grate half a cucumber. Prepare a paste and apply it under eyes. This paste can also be applied to your entire face and it will reduce the dull and tired look from your face.

Water: One should drink ample of water through out the day as one of the main reasons of dark circles is dehydration or lack of water in the body.

Chickpea flour: Take a teaspoon of gram flour, also called as Chickpea flour, add tomato puree and put a few drops of lemon, mix it well and make a nice paste out of it. Apply under your eyes for around 10-15 minutes and you will see the difference.

Diet Control and Management: I am sure you would hear this a lot but its correct and really helpful. You gotta cut down on the oily and spicy stuff. Try and reduce the salt intake as it contains fluid retention properties which causes dehydration. Eat a lot of sprouts, fresh vegetables, fruits which will give your body nutrition, vitamins, anti-oxidants and minerals that will help your skin.

Yoga for eyes: Everyone will tell you to exercise regularly and why not, it definitely makes you fit but don’t be surprised to know that yoga helps your eyes too as you can do yoga for eyes that will improve your eyesight and will help reduce dark circles too.

So relax, go ahead, try these home remedies for dark circles and I am sure you will see some good results!!

Sit up straight. Bring the soles of your feet together. Holding your soles with your palms bring them as close to your groin as possible. Now flap your knees a few times up and down, to loosen your hip joint. Relax. Inhale and exhale consciously and deeply a few times.

After having flapped your knees up and down about 25 times, you may press your knees down firmly, trying to touch the ground. Keep breathing, holding the pose as long as possible. Release. Do thrice.

Butterfly Yoga Pose Tips for beginners

Don’t take the feet too close to the groin region initially. Keeping your legs loose takes the strain off the saddle region which can be very stiff for beginners.

Benefits of Butterfly Yoga Pose

• Butterfly Yoga Pose helps release fat from liver, thus controlling weight problems.
• Butterfly Yoga Pose impacts the uro-genital system, helping with related ailments.
• Butterfly Yoga Pose elevates mood. It is used, along with such forward-bending poses, to control anger, anxiety and stress.

Chakra Asana is one of the most important yoga asans or yoga poses. The other common name of Chakra Asana is the Wheel Pose, the urdhava- dhanurasana, raised bow posture.

How to do Chakra Asana:

1. Lie straight on the ground in the Shava-Asana.
2. Bend your knees while exhaling and bring the feet as close to the buttocks as possible, remember to keep the sole of the feet on the ground.
3. Bend the arms at the elbows and place the palms of the hand flat to the ground under each shoulder with the fingers pointing toward the back.
4. Now start raising the head, back and buttocks from the ground while inhaling and arching the spine. Continue to press downward on the feet and hand while raising the hips and stomach as high as possible.
5. Try to hold your breath till you feel comfortable( try to hold your breath for one to three minutes for best results).
6. Now while exhaling return back to the ground, slide the legs out straight returning to the Shava-asana.

Chakra asana can be done two to three times daily.

Benefits of Chakra Asana:

• Chakra asana makes your spine very strong.
• Chakra asana strengthens your arms.
• Chakra asana strengthens your shoulders.
• Chakra asana stimulate the cardiovascular system.
• Chakra asana give strength to your entire body.

Yes, if you were unsure about the benefits of almonds and asked yourself that are almonds good for you and thought that almonds will make you fat then you need to think again. If you consume almonds in the right quantity, almonds would not make you fat. In fact, almonds are the most nutritious of all nuts, almonds contain calcium, potassium and magnesium which helps in regulating blood pressure and osteoporosis.

It is correct that almonds contain fats but of the right kind. Talking a little technical here, almonds have antioxidants, monounsaturated and some polyunsaturated fats, that helps in lowering low-density lipoprotein (LDL) which is also known as cholesterol.

One of the big benefits of almonds is that it contains vitamin E which helps a lot in heart diseases, slows down the process of ageing and almonds are extremely good for skin and hair. Some say that almonds is one of the most important part of the diet of celebrities who want to be fit and healthy.

You would read and hear that people don’t like the taste of a lot of diet foods but almonds are one tasty thing to eat they are a versatile variety of dried fruit. You can bake them, eat as it is, grate it and put it over some dishes or have them as a snack.

The best thing about eating almonds is that they are a versatile variety of dried fruit. You can either eat them whole or sliced or sprinkle over dishes as a garnish. Eating a handful of almonds as a snack can keep hunger away as they are a good source of protein.

You can reap the benefits of almonds by making them a regular part of your diet:

• Soak a couple of almonds in water overnight, peal them off and eat them with your regular breakfast.
• Soaked Almonds are used in making milk shakes.
• Almonds can be sliced and then sprinkled in salads, cereal or oatmeal.

You can roast almonds quickly which makes them really crunchy and tasty and you can have them as a snack.

Procedure of Anulom Vilom Pranayama: Hold your right nasal with thumb, breathe in from left. Now open right nasal and close left nasal with middle and ring finger and breathe out from right nasal. Now breathe in from right nasal. Now close right nasal and open left and breathe out and in from left nasal. and so on.

Duration of Anulom Vilom Pranayama: It is advisable that Anulom Vilom should be done for at least 10 minutes.

Anulom Vilom Pranayama Benefits: heart, high BP, heart blockage, vat-cuf-pit, arthritis, cartilage, bent ligaments, sinual fluid reduced, parkinson, paralysis, neural related, depression, migraine pain, asthma, sinus, allergy.

Tips for Anulom Vilom Pranayama: breathe into lungs not to stomach. no organ in stomach absorb oxygen. Do not hurry. Do it slowly. Rest whenever needed (in any pranayama).

The benefits of Anulom Vilom are:

• During Aulom Vilom, the intake of oxygen increases because of which you feel light, calm and clear headed.
• Anulom Vilom Pranayama’s regular practice helps in relieving stress, cold, mild fevers, eye and ear problems, etc.
• A lot of people who were suffering from migraine, chronic sinus problems have benefited from regular practice of Anulom Vilom pranayama. In fact, people have also reported that blockage in the arteries of the heart and blood circulation is also improved from regular Anulom Vilom Pranayama.
• Believe it or not, Anulom Vilom Pranayama also helps to change the thoughts in your mind from negative to positive.
• The benefits of Anulom Vilom Pranayama comes out best only when someone practices it regularly for at least 10-15 minutes twice a day.
• Anulom Vilom provides benefit in obesity, constipation, gastric, acidity, hepatitis B, diabetes, gastric problems, allergic problems, asthma, snoring, concentration, and even cancer and AIDS.
• Anulom Vilom even benefits in cardiovascular disorders, high BP, heart blockage, arthritis, for the stretching of cartilage, ligaments, Parkinson, paralysis, migraine pain, depression, asthma, allergy, and sinus.
• Regular practice of Anulom Vilom Pranayam helps in cleansing your innumerable Nadis, which makes the body healthy lustrous and strong.
• Anulom Vilom is also beneficial in most of the diseases occurring due to the disturbance of ‘Vata Dosha’ like rheumatism, gout, diseases pertaining to urinary and reproductive organs are cured.

Vrikshasana is one of the important asanas among the various yogasanas. Vrikshaasana comes from the word Vriksha which means tree and that is why this yoga pose/posture is known as the tree pose.

Virkshaasana or tree yoga posture teaches the quality of the tree. It teaches you to become strong, sturdy, balanced and grow continuously.

How to do Vriksha asana or Vrikshasana or the tree pose:

Step 1: Stand straight and keep your feet close to each other. Your knees, legs and hand should be straight.

Step 2: Now bring your right feet and keep it on your left thigh. Try to make a right angle. If you are unable to keep your foot on the thigh, try to keep your foot on the left leg wherever you feel comfortable and maintain balance. But remember your right toe should point downwards. Your body balance should depend on the left leg.

Step 3: Now join your palms and bring them to the middle of your chest and keep the figure pointing upwards. Now slowly move your hands overhead. Raise your arms over your head. Your arms should be slightly bent.

Step 4: Stand straight, look in the front and be relaxed.

Step 5: Stay in this position for about 10 seconds. Breathe normal.

Step 6: Now slowly bring your hands in the middle portion of the chest same as before, bring your right leg to the ground and come back in the starting position.

Step 7: Repeat the same procedure with another leg.

Step 8: Try to repeat the whole procedure for 2 to 3 times.

Benefits of Vrikshasana or tree pose:

1. Vrikshasana yoga pose makes your knees, ankles and overall leg strong and flexible.
2. Vrikshasana tones the legs, open the hips.
3. Vrikshasana also improves develops concentration and mindfulness.
4. Vrikshasana also develops neuromuscular coordination.
5. After doing Vrikshasana, some people have seen great relief in sciatica

Precautions and Care:

• People who suffer from high blood pressure should not raise their arms overhead, therefore they should minimize Vrikshasana.
• Avoid Vrikshasana if you are suffering from headache and insomnia.