Yoga poses for hormonal imbalances - part 1

Hormonal imbalance is one of the main causes for irregular periods infertility mood swings and obesity in women. Hormones are controlled by the endocrine system comprising eight ductless glands which secrete various hormones and regulate levels of various hormones in the body. Here are some natural remedies for hormonal problems in women. Most inverted yoga poses help regulate endocrine glands. The effect of inversions on the intricate endocrine system the body s glandular system of hormone delivery has been much discussed. Yoga expert Mahua Deb trainer Defence Welfare Association Vishakhapatnam shares with us 6 yoga poses that can help control hormonal imbalances: Bhujangasana Technique: Lie down on the stomach by keeping your legs together. Put your palms under the shoulder elbows touching the body and the head should rest on the ground. With inhaling raise your head up to your navel region and try to see the roof. Maintain the position till 10 to 60 seconds with steadily inhaling and exhaling. Come to the original position slowly with deep exhalation. Benefits: Strengthens back arms shoulders and relieves pain in back and neck. Regulates reproductive hormones and improves menstrual irregularities. Regulates thyroid gland secretion. Invigorates the heart. Helps you last longer in bed. Dhanurasana Technique: First of all lie down in prone position or lying on your stomach on the mat. Exhale bend your knees and hold the ankles with hands While inhaling raise the thighs head and chest as high as possible Try to maintain the weight of the body on the lower abdomen. Look upward and breathe normally. While exhaling bring down the head and legs up to knee joint. Maintain this position as long as you can hold and slowly come back to the original position. Benefits: Stimulates liver and pancreas and therefore regulates the secretion from them. Improves functioning of kidneys. Massages adrenal and thyroid glands and regulates hormones secreted by them. It helps to invigorate sexual vigour. It strengthens back shoulder neck and heart functioning. Helps reduce weight. Sarvangasana Technique: Lie on your back on the mat with legs together. Inhale and raise the legs to an angle of 90 degree while exhaling. Now place the palms on the bottom and press the floor with your elbows lift the waist and bring the legs forward. Then keep them vertical to the ground. Bend the hands hold the waist with the palms balancing and raise the legs to an angle of 90 degree to the floor. Body and legs should be straight vertical to the floor. The whole weight of the body resting on the shoulder blade and adjust if it is not straight. Rest the elbow on the floor with palms supporting the body. Maintain the pose up to 50 or to 100 counts. Eyes should see the toenails. Legs should not move. Lower the legs toe and back. Take the hands from the back and place it on the floor. Briskly bring the back to the floor the legs and lie down. Benefits: Blood circulatory system respiratory system and digestive system will improve functioning. While practicing this yoga pose more blood flows into throat thyroid gland will be invigorated. Sexual disorders are cured easily as sex hormones will be regulated. It rectifies disorders in ears nose and throat. Diseases at the bottom and around the heels are cured. Hair loss and premature greying of hair are controlled. Halasana Technique: Lie on the back on your mat legs together. Lift both legs up to 45 degrees with partial inhalation. Again up to 90 degrees with full inhalation. Lift bottom up from the ground legs parallel to the ground above the head then exhale. Now for the final position; toes rest on the ground behind the head. Hands straight on the ground palm facing down. With normal breath hold comfortably for 30 seconds to a minute. Inhale and slowly get back to starting position. Variation: Hands stretch over the head and rest on the ground. Benefits: Effective for thyroid and adrenal glands. Regulates hormones secreted by them. Relieves disorder of the urinary tract and menstrual cycle. Strengthens back abdominal muscles and shoulders. Uthita Janu Sirshasana Technique: From standing position step your right leg forward and raise your arms while breathing in. While breathing out lean forward and place your palms on both sides of the right feet. Place the forehead close to the right knee as close as possible. If you are able to maintain balance then lift your arms and lock them at the back. Maintain posture for 30 seconds to a minute. Repeat on the other leg. Benefits: Besides strengthening and stretching of spine groin and hamstring this asana stimulates and help regulate secretions from liver kidneys and pancreas. Relieves stress anxiety and mild depression. Relieves menstrual discomfort and irregularities by regulating reproductive hormones. Contraindication: People with high blood pressure slip disc should not perform this asana. Moordhasana Technique: Stand erect with your legs apart as far as you can manage without losing balance. Breathe in by raising your hands up and bend forward while exhaling from the waist. Touch your elbows to the ground and then place the crown of your head between the elbows and if you are able to maintain balance then raise the elbows off the ground and lock fingers behind your back. Maintain posture for 30 seconds to a minute. Benefits: Besides strengthening and stretching of spine groin and hamstring this asana stimulates and regulate secretion from liver kidneys and pancreas. It strengthens neck muscles and balances the nervous system thereby helping in case of stress anxiety and mild depression. It provides the body balance. Contraindication: People with high blood pressure slip disc and severe asthma should not perform this asana. Image Source: Shutterstock