How Yoga Has Helped Me Balance My Thyroid and Hormones for Over 20 Years

For over two decades, yoga has been more than just a physical practice for me—it’s been a lifeline. Through every phase of my life—from young adulthood to pregnancy to perimenopause and beyond—yoga has helped me stay grounded, flexible, and in tune with my body.

One of the most profound benefits I’ve experienced from yoga is its effect on my thyroid and overall hormonal balance.

Despite the natural changes that come with age and fluctuating hormones, my body today is just as strong and flexible as it was twenty years ago. And I attribute so much of that resilience to my consistent yoga practice.

Fish Pose (Matsyasana) – opens the throat and boosts energy flow

Yoga and the Thyroid: A Powerful Connection

The thyroid gland is a small butterfly-shaped gland located in the neck, and it plays a big role in regulating metabolism, energy, temperature, and even mood. When your thyroid is out of balance, your whole system feels it.

Certain yoga poses are especially supportive for thyroid health because they:

• Increase blood flow to the neck and throat area

• Stimulate the endocrine system

• Reduce stress, which is a key trigger for hormonal imbalances

• Support the parasympathetic nervous system to promote healing and recovery

These are some of my favorite yoga poses for supporting the thyroid and balancing hormones:

• Shoulder Stand (Sarvangasana) – stimulates the thyroid and calms the nervous system

• Plow Pose (Halasana) – improves circulation to the thyroid gland

• Fish Pose (Matsyasana) – opens the throat and boosts energy flow

• Bridge Pose (Setu Bandhasana) – strengthens the spine and promotes glandular function

• Legs Up the Wall (Viparita Karani) – deeply calming and supportive for adrenal health

These poses have been part of my regular routine for years. But there was a time when I intuitively stepped away from them—and it turned out my body was telling me something important.

When Yoga Told Me I Was Pregnant (Before I Knew It)

I’ll never forget the moment I paused my usual practice because certain thyroid-stimulating poses suddenly felt too intense. I couldn’t quite explain why, but my body was giving me a clear signal to slow down.

A few weeks later, I discovered I was pregnant.

That experience taught me just how wise and intuitive our bodies can be—especially when we practice tuning in through yoga. This awareness has carried me through many other transitions, including the hormonal shifts that come with age.

Hormones, Yoga, and Lifelong Balance

Balancing hormones isn’t just about diet or supplements—it’s also about how we move, how we breathe, and how we manage stress.

Yoga offers a holistic way to care for your hormonal health. It promotes circulation, calms the stress response, and supports your body's natural detox and healing processes—all of which are essential for thyroid function and hormonal balance.

Whether you’re dealing with hypothyroidism, adrenal fatigue, perimenopause, or simply feeling out of sync, incorporating yoga for the thyroid and hormones can make a big difference.

Ready to Tune Into Your Body?

If you're curious about how to start a hormone-supportive yoga practice—or want guidance on how to safely practice yoga if you’re experiencing thyroid issues—I’d love to help. This is a practice that has changed my life, and it might just change yours too.

✨ Want a downloadable guide with my favorite hormone-balancing yoga poses? Message me or leave a comment below and I’ll send it your way.

With love and balance,

Ricky