Can Yoga Balance Hormone Levels?

Can Yoga Balance Hormone Levels?

In a word yes, so long as the yoga practise is balanced and acheivable (always seek medical advice first).

A regular yoga practise will help regulate hormone secretions helping you to feel healthy, balanced and in control.

Hormones are responsible for how we look, feel and behave. When our hormones are unbalanced very often we feel as though our whole life is unbalanced too.

Hormones are secreted by different endocrine glands. They are the bodies’ chemical messengers, sometimes hormones can be overactive or underactive and this can greatly influence our physical and emotional health.

The Endocrine Glands

The endocrine system is responsible for creating and secreting hormones.

Below provides a little information about each endocrine gland. Most of the glands are responsible for many actions within the body but all it takes is for one gland to function poorly and the effects will be felt physically and emotionally.

Hypothalamus

The nerve cells in the hypothalamus control the pituitary gland by producing chemicals that either stimulate or suppress hormone secretions from the pituitary.

Pituitary gland

The pituitary gland is also known as the "master gland", the hormones released by the pituitary gland control several other endocrine glands.

It is also responsible for endorphins “those feel good chemicals”.

Thyroid

The hormones released by the thyroid gland control and influence our metabolic rate (turning food into energy).

Parathyroid Gland

The parathyroid glands regulate the level of calcium in the blood. This helps the nervous and muscular systems function properly. Calcium is the primary element that causes muscles to contract. Calcium levels are also responsible for conducting electrical currents along the nerves.

Adrenal glands

The adrenal Glands secrete hormones that help you deal with stress (adrenaline), they also secrete hormones that help regulate metabolism and control your blood pressure. 

Pineal Gland

Pineal Gland secretes melatonin a hormone that can help regulate your sleep pattern.

The reproductive glands (the ovaries and testes)

The reproductive glands are the main source of sex hormones.

Pancreas

The pancreas helps to regulate blood sugar levels and keeps the body supplied with fuel to produce and maintain stores of energy.

A regular yoga practice can rebalance the endocrine system. Yoga postures to do this are not tricky or intense; in fact any well balanced yoga class will help, make sure you practise regularly and listen to your body. Taking time to practise relaxation techniques is just as valuable as performing yoga postures, balance is always the key to health.

Always seek medical advice before commencing any new physical activity.

This blog article was written by Sue Fuller creator of the Yoga 2 Hear range of audio yoga classes and yoga teacher training courses.

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