Care for Thyroid Problems
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The thyroid gland secretes hormones which are essential to all human metabolism and growth. Most thyroid disor-ders are treatable. However, left untreated they can cause serious problems throughout the body. The two primary thyroid conditions are hypothyroidism (under activity) and hyperthyroidism (over activity). Signs and symptoms of hy-pothyroidism include weak heartbeat, chronic fatigue, puffy skin/and or dry skin, slow mental processes, constipation, sensitivity to cold and goiter. Contrastingly, the symptoms of hyperthyroidism are rapid, strong heartbeat, muscu-lar weakness, weight loss, anxiety, restlessness/sleepless-ness, profuse sweating, diarrhea, eye changes and goiter.
Women are 4 - 7 times more likely to have thyroid disor-ders. Symptoms of thyroid problems are often difficult to recognized and often present themselves slowly in their be-ginning stages. At onset, subtle reactions in emotions and behaviors may be the only visible sign. Once diagnosed with a thyroid condition, it is necessary to continue life-long monitoring, even for those whose symptoms have subsided.
STEPS TO BE FOLLOWED
- PHODYASANA
- JAALANDHARA BANDHA
- TRISHOOLA KUMBHAKA
- NAAGA KUMBHAKA
- TRINETRA KUMBHAKA
1. PHODYAASANA, JOGA PRADEEPIKAA, VERSE: 123
Dovoo Haatha Baahara Aanai Godaatarai Kaagasee
Thaanai |
Amgushta Pimdalee Lagataa Dharai Carana Ubhai
Akaasadisi Kare |
Pistiroo Koolaa Dharatee Laavai Udarasamkoca
Oordha Thaharaavai |
Goda Seesami Thambhana Karai Iha Vidhi
Phodyaasana Dharai ||123||
TRANSLATION-cum-TECHNIQUE
- Be seated with legs stretched on the ground
- Slowly raise the legs upward by catching hold of calves with two hands.
- By contracting the abdomen, raise the head up wards towards the knees
- Remain in this posture for 30 seconds
(See Figure 4 p.79)
2. IN PHODYASANA, NEXT
AALANDHARA BANDHA
GHERANDA SAMHITA, UPADESHA 3, VERSE 12
॥अथ जालन्धरबन्धकथनम्॥
कण्ठसङ्कोचनं कृत्वा चिबुकं हृदये न्यसेत्।
जालन्धरे कृते बन्धे षोडशाधारबन्धनम्॥
Kanta-sankochanam krutvaa Chibukam hrudaye nyaset | Jaalandhare krute bandhe Shodasha-aadhaara-bandhanam ||3.12||
TRANSLATION
Contracting the throat, place the chin on the chest. This is called Jaalandhara Bandha. By this bandha the sixteen adharas are closed.
TECHNIQUE
- Remain in same asana
- Inhale fully
- Place the chin on the chest and contract the throat 4. Fix the Gaze at the tip of the nose
- Hold as long as possible judiciously
- Release the throat lock and exhale slowly, when you feel you can't hold anymore
- Do this 21 times
3. IN PHODYASANA, NEXT
TRISHOOLA KUMBHAKA
KUMBHAKA PADDHATHI, VERSE: 193
घोणा यां च मुखेनापि युगपत् पूरयेत् सदा ।
त्रिशूलिना त्रिशूलाख्यः कुम्भ उक्तस्त्रिशूलनुत् ॥
Ghonaabhyaam Cha Mukhenaapi YugapathPoorayeth Sadhaa | ThrishoolinaaTrishoolaakhyaha KumbhaUkthas-Trishoolanuth ||193||
TRANSLATION
Always inhale through the nostrils and mouth together at a time. This is called the Trishoola Kumbhaka - the remover of triple sufferings - as explained by the Thrishooli Shiva.
TECHNIQUE
1. Inhale through the nostrils and also through the mouth simultaneously
- Hold the breath as long as you can judiciously
- Now exhale through the nostrils slowly and relax
- Do this 21 times
IN PHODYASANA, NEXT
4. NAAGA KUMBHAKA KUMBHAKA PADDHATHI, VERSES: 77 & 78
ओदनग्रासवद्वायुं कण्ठेनापूरयेच्छनैः ।
तं रोधयेद्यथाकालं बध्वा जालन्धरं दृढम्॥
कण्ठेन रेचनं कुर्यात् नागकुम्भः शिवोदितः।
क्षुधां जयेत् पिपासां च फलमस्य समीरितम्॥
Odhana-Graasavath-Vaayum Kantena-Aapoorayeth Tham RodhayethYathaa-Kaalam Badhvaa Jaalandharam Dhrudam ||77|| Kantena Rechanam Kuryaath NaagaKumbhaha Shivodithaha | Kshudhaam Jayeth Pipaasaam Cha Phalamasya Sameeritham || 78 ||
TRANSLATION
One should fill the air slowly into the throat like swallowing a morsel of rice and should retain it for maximum possible time, with firm application of Jaalandhara Bandha and then should exhale it from the throat. This is Naaga kum-bhaka explained by Shiva. By this practice one is able to win over hunger and thirst.
TECHNIQUE
- Swallow air very slowly and let the air go little by little like eating rice morsel by morsel.
- Once you are full, immediately contract the throat, and place the chin on the chest
- Hold the breath in this posture as long as possible
- Then release the lock and exhale slowly from the throat
- Do this 21 times
5. IN PHODYASANA, NEXT-
TRINETRA KUMBHAKA
KUMBHAKA PADDHATHI, VERSE: 192
सकृच्चन्द्रेण चापूर्य धार्यं सूर्येण पूरयेत्।
नियम्य पूरयेन्नो यां धारयित्वा यथाविधि ॥
त्रिनेत्रकुम्भकः प्रोक्तः त्रिनेत्रेण त्रिसिद्धिदः ॥
SakruthChandrenaChaapoorya DhaaryaSooryena Poorayeth |
NiyamyaPoorayennobhyaam DhaarayithvaaYathaa-Vidhi ||
Thrinethra-KumbhakahaProkthaha Thrinethrena
Thrisiddhidhaha ||
TRANSLATION
Inhale through the left nostril and retain, inhale through the right nostril and retain and then inhale through both the nostrils, retain the breath (all these in one shot before exhalation). This is the Trinetra Kumbhaka - the giver of three siddhis - as explained by the three-eyed Shiva.
TECHNIQUE
- Inhale through the left nostril
- Hold the breath as long as you can judiciously
- Without exhalation, inhale through the right nostril
- Hold the breath as long as you can judiciously
- Again without exhaling, inhale through both the nostrils
- Hold the breath as long as you can judiciously
- Now exhale through both the nostrils slowly
- Do this 21 times
END OF KRIYA