It just started in late May, shortly after quarantine began. I started having sudden and strong heart palpitations that would startle me in the moment, but I brushed them off because they happened only once a week for a few seconds each time. I really thought they would just go away, maybe stress? or just a fluke? who knows, but I just didn't have time to worry about it!! But then the episodes started to become more frequent and lasted longer. When it was up to every night, and lasting for about an hour or so before I would fall asleep, I started to know deep down that something wasn’t right.
Now just a quick side note, for those of you who haven’t heard this story, I had a rare case of Rheumatic Fever when I was 25 and teaching 5th grade in the South Bronx. As a result, among other long term side effects, i developed insufficiencies in 2 of my heart valves, the Tricuspid and Mitral valves. I have been working with a cardiologist, keeping a close eye on the condition ever since and have been told that someday the valves will need to be replaced, but have also been assured this is a pretty simple and easy procedure. So I move on with my life and do not worry about it ever.
Naturally though, I was thinking it could possibly be something related to my valve insufficiencies. Maybe it was time for a replacement? No big deal, just kind of going to get in the way of me filming all my yoga videos ;) I called up my doctor and explained my symptoms, mostly I just wanted her to tell me this was normal and would go away and to move on with my life. But no, it was “grab your mask and get in to the office immediately,” and off I went. She was very thorough, the full work up, I had an echocardiogram to check on the valves, I had to wear a holter monitor for 24 hours (like an EKG) that records electrical activity of your heart for an extended period of time to try to see what was going on in there, and also, many vials of blood for testing who knows what?!?!
Well, low and behold, my thyroid levels were all jacked up. It appears my thyroid is under-active and not producing the hormones it should be. This explains some of the heart symptoms, and also required me to go back in for more testing to understand why my levels were so off. I had more bloodwork and an ultrasound of my thyroid.
As It turned out, I have an auto-immune disease called Hashimoto’s, this is where the immune system attacks the thyroid and causes a cascade of symptoms in your body (including heart palpitations!).
As you can imagine, I have done tons and tons of research on the condition since. I learned the about the wide array of symptoms of Hashimoto’s, most of them I have been experiencing for years. Because I have been treated for so many of these symptoms separately over the years and no one has ever put all the pieces together before now, it is very possible that I have been battling Hashimoto’s for years without even knowing it!
The most common symptoms are fatigue and sluggishness, sensitivity to cold, cold hands and feet, constipation and other digestive issues, food allergies, pale, dry skin, puffy face, brittle nails, hair loss, weight gain, muscle aches, general tenderness and stiffness, joint pain and stiffness, muscle weakness, abnormal, heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding, depression or anxiety, insomnia, brain fog, mood swings, memory lapses, heart palpitations, and rashes. If you are experiencing many of these symptoms at the same time, it may be worth it to ask your doctor to check your thyroid!
Well, I am new to this, but I am doing lots of research and learning how to best treat Hashimoto’s. I am on a pharmaceutical drug to replace the hormones (T4) that the Thyroid would produce if it was functioning normally. I am still struggling to feel normal and like myself again. I am currently on my 4th formula of this hormone replacement, just trying to find the right dose and brand that will work for me and bring my levels into the normal range. In the meantime, and at the same time, I am a believer in holistic and natural medicine, I am learning everything I can do to support my healing. While western medicine assures me I will need to be on pharmaceutical drugs for the rest of my life to control this condition, I have read stories of folks who have healed naturally and were eventually able to get off their medication. I know it will be a long journey and I will always listen to my doctor, but I will never give up doing everything I can to support my bodies natural healing!
Along with diet and other lifestyle changes, I have also learned that yoga can be extremely helpful in healing Hashimoto’s (surprise surprise ;). Along with a strong meditation practice for stress management, there are specific poses that target the thyroid and support the healing of the auto-immune response. I have been incorporating these poses into my practice more regularly and thought I would share if you or anyone you know is struggling with Hashimoto’s and might also find these helpful.
(P.S. These are also fun and great poses for anyone to try!)
namaste
xx
This Pose is widely regarded as the most ideal and effective pose for stimulating the thyroid gland in the neck. This posture puts pressure on the thyroid gland and stimulates the secretion of thyroid hormone. If you don’t have a thyroid gland due to thyroidectomy, RAI or congenital hypothyroidism, this pose is still the “queen” of poses, benefiting the whole body.
Steps:
Lie on the back, with arms alongside the body and palms facing down, inhale & lift legs to 90 degrees and slowly exhale to bring legs over the head, move your hands to support your lower back, lift your legs up, keep the chin pressed into your chest while being in inverted position, old the legs from the knee, get the upper body down and lie in Savasana to finish.
*Modifications: This is an advanced pose and beginners should seek the guidance of a certified yoga teacher for proper alignment.Modifications for those that are at the beginner or intermediate levels include using a stack of folded blankets under shoulders, using a wall as support and keeping your legs folded.
This pose also stimulates the thyroid gland by giving compression to the region near the neck. It can also reduce stress and fatigue as it helps calm the brain to a great extent.
Steps:
Lie on back, with arms alongside your body and palms facing down, inhale and lift legs to 90degrees & slowly exhale to bring legs overhead, move your hands to support your lower back, try to touch the floor with your feet, bring your arms to the floor and alongside the body to release the pose.
*Modification: Rather than touch your feet to the floor, it is easier to land your toes on a chair.
This pose stimulates your thyroid gland by stretching the neck and opening your throat. It also provides much-needed healing for thyroid patients struggling with stiffness of joints and muscles.
Steps:
Lie on the back with legs extended, the fingers in your hand should face towards the toes, press your arms to lift your body up & open up chest region to extent possible, while in this pose, hang your head back as much as possible, release your hands and lie on your back.
*Modification: Place a stack of folded blankets or yoga block underneath your head for support.
While doing this pose, you need to lift your hips upwards with your shoulders and head on the ground. As a result, the flow of blood and oxygen to your brain is facilitated.Doing this Asana regularly can activate your thyroid gland and can help in reducing depression, mood swings, anxiety disorders, and other brain-related symptoms of hypothyroidism (under-active thyroid).
Steps:
Lie on your back and pull the feet towards your hips, feet should remain parallel to each other, inhale & lift body so that stomach faces ceiling together with hips and thighs, chest and chin should be locked, exhale and come down.
*Modification: Place a yoga block under sacrum (bottom of spine) and rest your pelvis.
This pose is believed to have a positive effect on your thyroid as well as your liver, kidneys, and intestines.
Steps:
Sit with your legs extended on the floor, slightly lean upper body back keeping the spine erect & chin towards chest, balance on your tailbone and sitting bones, bend your knees, lift your legs, and then straighten the knees, lift your arms to make them parallel to the floor, release the pose and drop the head down for a while.
*Modification: If this pose is challenging, try it with knees bent and hands or tips of fingers down on floor.
This pose involves a lot of stretching and compressing that helps in increasing the activity of the thyroid gland. The Cobra Pose also stimulates the abdomen improving digestion and increases the flexibility of the spine relieving lower back pain.
Steps:
Lie on stomach with hands placed next to chest and just under shoulders, inhale and lift your head, shoulders, chest and push your head back a bit, exhale and lower the body onto the floor and relax the arms.
*Tip: Find the height at which you feel comfortable and avoid straining your back.
Camel pose involves a strong extension of the neck region.This works wonders towards stimulating the thyroid gland and increasing circulation to it.
Steps:
Stand on your knees with the feet extended behind, support the lower back with your hands and lift neck and chest upwards, press hips and thighs forward, while bending your head slowly backward, reach hands back for heels and press your heart forward. release the pose and relax.
*Modification: keep supporting low back with hands, keep head lifted.
This pose is believed to open up your heart and hence it gives you bundles of energy. By opening up the neck region, it also enhances the flow of energy to the thyroid gland.
Steps:
Lie on your back, bend the knees, and push the heels closer towards your body, put hands next to head, let elbows face ceiling and fingers point towards shoulders, by pressing on the feet, exhale and lift your buttocks and tailbone, press your hands, lift your head, and straighten the arms, allow the head to hang a little backward to release tension in the throat region, release the pose and relax.
*Modification: This is an advanced pose, prepare your body by strengthening your bridge pose first.
This pose involves a fluid motion that is beneficial in exposing your ‘throat chakra’ and increasing blood supply to this area. It also stimulates organs in the belly like the adrenal glands which help you better respond to stress.
Steps:
Come onto your hands and knees with wrists below shoulders and knees under hips, inhale and drop belly downwards and look upwards to lengthen your neck, exhale and draw the navel into the spine, as you lift the spine towards the ceiling, tuck your chin into the chest, repeat the sequence a few times, release and relax.
*Modification: You can use your fists instead of hands if carpal tunnel syndrome or wrist problems are a concern.
This pose is known to reduce stress, anxiety, and insomnia, all common symptoms of hypothyroidism. This pose can also help relieve swelling and cramping in legs and feet.
Steps:
Lie on your back with arms alongside the body & lift your legs along the wall, the hips should be up against the wall, while you lift your legs, try to hold the pose for about 5 minutes, relax your chin and neck and soften the throat, release the pose and relax.
*Modifications: Place a stack of folded blankets or pillows under hips as well as under head. Also try moving hips further away from wall.
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