Yoga Cures: Simple Routines to Conquer Over 50 Common Ailments and Live Pain-Free (47 page)

Seated, Both Legs Straight Forward

Sit up tall and bring both legs straight out in front of you. Inhale and lift your arms up. As you exhale, lengthen your torso forward and fold over your legs. If you can’t hold your toes easily, bend your knees so your belly can rest on your thighs. You’ll get a better opening with bent knees than by rounding your back and forcing your hands to your feet. Stay here for ten long, deep breaths.

Thyroid Imbalance

A regular yoga practice regulates all the systems of the body, and also corrects imbalances before they

can become serious problems. B.K.S. Iyengar was one of the first modern yogis to describe the

significance of shoulder stands in regulating the body’s health; he recommends practicing them daily.

Iyengar says the shoulder stand is a panacea for most common ailments, since it increases blood supply

to the thyroid and parathyroid glands due to the chin lock in the neck region. Also the inverted position

of the legs over the heart promotes healthy blood flow to help your body function efficiently.

THE THYROID IMBALANCE YOGA CURE

It’s important to identify exactly what kind of thyroid imbalance you are dealing with, as each requires

different support. Hyperthyroidism is a condition in which your thyroid gland produces too much of the

hormone thyroxine, which can significantly accelerate your body’s metabolism, causing sudden weight loss, a
rapid or irregular heartbeat, sweating, and nervousness. Hypothyroidism is a condition characterized by

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abnormally low thyroid hormone production. Symptoms include sensitivity to cold, depression, fatigue, joint
or muscle pain, dry skin, and unintentional weight gain.

Your thyroid hormone affects growth, development, and many cellular processes of the body, so having a

healthy thyroid has a lot more to do with the overall health of your body than how slowly or quickly your

body is able to metabolize food. This routine is designed to regulate your thyroid gland and bring you back
into a balanced state.

Plow

Lie down on your back with your arms at your sides. Press down into your arms, round your back, and slowly bring your feet over your head. If this puts too much tension on your back or neck, roll out of it slowly and relax. Don’t force your neck in this position. If your back and neck feel okay, stay here for ten long, deep breaths.

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Shoulder Stand

If your neck feels pretty tight in your plow, stay there a little longer and then slowly roll back down to lie on your back. If your neck feels good in plow, press your palms into your back so your fingers face up. Wiggle your elbows closer together and scoot your hands up your back, close to your shoulders. Lift the backs of your legs straight up so your body is in one straight line. Stay here for twenty long, deep breaths. Either close your eyes or keep your gaze softly resting on your belly button.

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Legs Up the Wall

Sit facing a wall. Bring your hips right up to the wall. Lie down so your torso is perpendicular to the wall. Bring your legs up the wall. Stay here for five minutes.

Reclining Butterfly

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Lie down on your back. Bring the bottoms of your feet together and let your knees relax out to the sides. Rest your hands either down by your sides or on top of your thighs, whichever is most comfortable for you. Stay here for twenty long, deep breaths.

Traveler’s Anxiety

Air travel can serve up a load of anxiety. Whether you get anxious about traveling, flying, the stress of

airports, lines, crowds, or just being stuck in an airplane for hours, there are plenty of opportunities

between getting to and from your destination for stress to creep in.

Fear of flying is essentially an anxiety disorder. We can control our fears by bringing our attention

back to the breath.

Even if you have little or no fear of flying, being in an airplane, especially if you are a regular

traveler, can take a toll on your health. The cabin pressure, being cooped up in a seat for hours, and the

recycled oxygen aren’t ideal conditions for our bodies or minds. Luckily, there are some simple yoga

poses and techniques you can do right from your seat on the airplane that will release tension in your

body and settle your mind.

THE TRAVELER’S ANXIETY YOGA CURE: AIRPLANE YOGA

You can do this routine from your seat in the airplane. It will reduce anxiety and open up the spine. Also, try
to get up and walk around. On long flights, try to get up every hour for a walk. Don’t be shy about striking a
tree pose when you’re waiting in line for the bathroom. Who knows, your fellow passengers just may join in!