Exercises & Yoga for Hyperthyroid Patients

The thyroid gland, located just below the larynx, secretes hormones that affect the body's metabolic rate. Hyperthyroidism is when the gland produces too much hormone and the entire system accelerates. Some symptoms include rapid heartbeat, sweating, muscular weakness, weight loss, anxiety, irritability, protruding eyes and an enlarged thyroid, called a goiter. The most common type of hyperthyroidism is Graves' Disease.

Before You Begin

• A calming yoga practice can help balance your system, says Vishali Varga, certified Anusara yoga teacher and owner of Blue Lotus Yoga in Pittsford, N.Y., but she warns about careless advice. "Most poses said to be good for the thyroid are best for an already healthy thyroid or a hypothyroid (underactive), not hyper," she says. "If not treated, a hyperthyroid can cause heart damage and can send you into what is called 'Thyroid Storm,' a very serious condition." A thyroid storm, marked by heart palpitations and a high temperature, can be life-threatening.

  Varga recommends a practice of gentle restorative pose with your neck always in a neutral position (neither too forward nor back) to avoid stimulating muscles in that area, which may cause heart palpitations. Before starting your yoga practice, consult your physician. Begin in a comfortable seat, either in a chair or on a yoga mat.

Alternate Nostril Breath (Nadi Shodhana)

• This balancing breath technique calms your mind and helps regulate the pituitary and hypothalamus glands.
  1. Fold down the middle and index fingers of your right hand, and close your right nostril with your thumb.
  2. Inhale through your left nostril.
  3. Close off your left nostril with your ring finger, release your thumb, and exhale through your right nostril.
  4. Inhale through your right nostril, then close it off with your right thumb.
  5. Release your ring finger and exhale through your left nostril.
  6. Repeat steps 2 through 5 for 10 rounds.

Child's Pose (Balasana)

• Calm your mind and soothe your eyes with this restful, rejuvenating pose.
  1. Kneeling on your mat, bring your feet together and spread your knees wide apart. Place a bolster between your knees.
  2. Sit back on your heels (if this is uncomfortable, place a blanket between your seat and legs).
  3. With your pelvis heavy, draw your navel in, lengthen your spine upward, then bend forward and rest your forehead on your bolster with your arms comfortably at your sides.
  4. If necessary, use a block or folded blanket under your forehead to keep your neck in a neutral position (head in line with your spine).
  5. Hold for two to five minutes.

Resting Pose (Savasana)

• Here, you'll ease breathing and soothe the sympathetic nervous system.
  1. Lie on your back with a folded blanket under your head, arms and legs spread slightly apart.
  2. With your eyes closed, relax, focusing on your breath, for 10 minutes.