Yoga to Calm Your Hormones : Chakra 5 Yoga

Probably about once every 4 months, I have what I would call a “hormonal freak out”. I can still maintain a calm and rational mind, and yet I can still feel the emotions on the brink, have trouble sleeping for roughly 5-6 days. I had an embarrassing outburst in front of my lucky husband Monday night. Fortunately, the outburst typically happens only once, and lasts about 10 minutes tops. Nonetheless, it’s a very unsettling experience…even your trusty Yoga Teacher has her demons to wrestle with!

I started researching specific yoga techniques to help deal with these hormonal fluctuations, and thought I would share them below. Plenty of us deal with these fluctuations, even men, although we women are certainly more “famous” for them. I focused on key glands within the endocrine system, each of which secretes a type of hormone to regulate the body. Hormones regulate mood, growth and development, tissue function, and metabolism, among other thing:

Hypothalamus, Pituitary Glands:

The hypothalamus releases hormones to regulate our reproductive cycles and body temperature. These secreted hormones signal the pituitary to then control each individual gland of the entire endocrine system. 3 Asana to try: Downward Dog, Headstand, Shoulderstand

Thyroid, Parathyroid Glands:

The thyroid gland is involved in growth and development, nervous system and metabolism. The parathyroid maintains proper calcium levels in the blood and tissues. 3 Asana to Try: Bridge, Camel, Child’s Pose

Adrenal Glands:

These stimulate metabolic rate and give us energy. They initiate the “fight or flight response. 3 Asana to try: Pigeon, Half Moon, Triangle

Ovaries:
These are responsible for development of the eggs and the secretion of the estrogen, progesterone and testosterone. 3 Asana to try: Cobra, Head to Knee, Spinal Twist

Here is a PDF you can download that sequences all of these poses together in a logical way for a 30 minute practice that should have you chilled out in no time.

McKenna Rowe

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McKenna Rowe is the Founder of Chakra 5 Mobile Yoga, an experienced team of corporate yoga instructors that provides mobile yoga classes on location and by appointment at businesses, schools and organizations throughout greater Los Angeles. Call us to start your corporate wellness program today: 310-853-3885.