Are you experiencing mood swings, tension, brain fog, or a lack of energy to get up and do anything? We have all been there. The bad news is that your hormone levels are unbalanced. The good news is that we have the key to harmonising these disruptive hormones.
Hormones are your body’s chemical messengers. They travel in your bloodstream to tissues or organs where they help control how cells do their work. They work slowly and affect many different processes, including:
- Growth and development
- Metabolism
- Immune responses
- Mood
However, factors such as stress, sedentary lifestyle, poor sleep and environmental toxins can disrupt this balance, leading to various health issues.
Yoga holds the answers to these problems.
It has been practiced for centuries and almost every health problem can be addressed by yoga. By integrating specific yoga practices into our daily routines, we can create a positive impact on our endocrine system, which is responsible for hormone production and regulation.
Here are the top 3 Yoga poses for a better hormonal health:
1. Cobra pose (Bhujangasana)
How to do it:
- On a yoga mat, lie on your stomach
- Place your palms under your shoulders
- Keep your legs together
- Pushing your palms into the ground, straighten your arms and lift your torso up
- Relax your shoulders. Your elbows should be close to your body
- Breathe here for a few seconds before slowly lowering yourself down
Benefits:
– Best for reducing PCOS symptoms.
– Stimulates the adrenaline glands to regulate blood pressure and help control your sleep-wake cycle.
– Stimulates ovary function that is responsible for a healthy menstrual cycle.
– [Caution: Pregnant women should avoid this pose as it stretches the belly]
2. Camel pose (Ushtrasana)
How to do it:
- Kneel on your mat. Keep your knees a fist distance apart
- The soles of your feet should face upward
- Lift your chest to the ceiling and gradually push your pelvis forward
- Once your back is arched, hold onto your ankles for support
- Breathe in and out a few times before lifting yourself back up
Benefits:
– Stimulates the thyroid and parathyroid glands which are responsible for digestion, heart rate, fertility, skin and bone maintenance and metabolism.
3. Bridge pose (Setu Bandha Sarvangasana)
How to do it:
- Lie down on your back. Keep your feet hip-distance apart
- Bend your knees and keep your feet a fist distance away from your buttocks
- Inhale, press your feet into the floor and push your pelvis to the ceiling
- Hold for 10 seconds and slowly lower yourself to the mat
Benefits:
– Stimulates the immune system that protects us from lethal pathogens.
– Regular practice can help improve overall hormonal balance in the endocrine glands.
– Stimulates the production of testosterone in males that is important for maintaining muscle mass, bone density and overall vitality.
Benefits:
– Stimulates the immune system that protects us from lethal pathogens.
– Regular practice can help improve overall hormonal balance in the endocrine glands.
– Stimulates the production of testosterone in males that is important for maintaining muscle mass, bone density and overall vitality.
4. Boat pose (Navasana)
How to do it:
- Lie flat on your back with your arms by your side
- When you’re ready, inhale and lift both legs off the mat – knees can be bent or straight to increase the challenge
- Lead with your chest as you lift your upper body off the mat and reach your arms skyward
- Keep your core activated and spine straight
- Remain here for 15 to 20 seconds and slowly release
Benefits:
– Activates the hip flexors and stimulates the production of testosterone, the primary male hormone.
– Adequate blood and oxygen circulation to the endocrine glands which are responsible for hormone production.
