How asanas and pranayamas make the endocrine system more efficient

The endocrine system maintains the balance in our body. They are ductless glands working tirelessly in your body to produce hormones that as they pass their secretions directly into the blood. They are located at the brain (pituitary and pineal gland), throat (thyroid), chest (thymus), kidney (adrenal gland and pancreas) and lower body region (testis and ovaries).
These glands communicate chemically through hormones. Some work based on positive feedback system, others on negative feedback.
Different glands perform different functions such as our metabolism, growth and development, tissue function, sexual function, reproduction, sleep and mood.
Hypothalamus located at the brain controls the pituitary gland. It is the centre of emotions. Pituitary gland, hailed the master gland as it controls several other glands such as adrenal gland, thyroid gland, ovaries and testes.
Pranayama is control of breath, it helps to stretch and expels air, bringing better quality air to our lungs. During Pranayama we supply more oxygen to the lungs which is then transported to the cells of the body. The blood supply and the oxygen supply also increases to the brain and hypothalamus.
We can control the stress and emotions better as stress can disturb the functioning of hypothalamus. Pranayama can improve the hypothalamus-pituitary gland relationship.
Yoga nidra, or yogic sleep helps with sleep. It reactivates the pineal gland as it secretes melatonin, which aid in preventing illnesses, delays premature aging, induce more restful sleep, boost the immune system, and promote healing. It also helps to improve relationship between the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. It also helps balance the adrenal gland, brings one out of the fight or flight response.
Asanas help to balance the hormonal secretions from various glands, the holding and twisting of a posture for a specified amount of time helps to stimulate the glands and regulate secretion.
Different asanas strengthen or regulate the secretion of different glands, thus many common ailments can be eased and the body’s harmony restored.
In the shoulder stand, the neck muscles contracts together with the pressure of the chin on the chest squeeze blood out of the thyroid and parathyroid glands. The plough pose help stimulate the thyroid, parathyroid and pituitary gland. In the fish pose, the glands are stretched and flooded with blood. This set of poses massages and stimulates both the thyroid and parathyroid, thus greatly improving their functions.
Cui Ling
200Hr YTT Vinyasa Flow Weekend