Yoga for happy hormones

Are your hormones happy? Do you get up in the morning boosting with energy and vitality or feeling somewhat "meh"? Discover how yoga can balance your hormonal system.

- MASCHA COETZEE

The link between our highly sophisticated hormonal system, levels of energy we operate from, stress we experience, how strong our immunity is and our overall health and lifestyle is undeniable.

This article explores the endocrine system, its main glands, and their connection to chakras, along with introducing meditation and a yoga practice sequence to help balance your hormones and enhance your vitality.

The endocrine system

Tightly orchestrated, your endocrine or hormonal system consists of a network of glands (organs) located all over your body, which produce, monitor, and secrete hormones, the chemicals that control your body's main processes, including reproduction, development, growth, repair, mood, metabolism, homeostasis and sleep, among others.

The endocrine system operates alongside the nervous and immune systems to assist them in the functioning of the body and its ability to manage stress.

There are two types of glands: exocrine and endocrine. While the endocrine glands make hormones (chemical messengers) and secrete them directly into the bloodstream, the exocrine glands release electrolytes, enzymes, and proteins, and include your salivary, sebaceous, and sweat glands along with the pancreas (which is both an exocrine and endocrine organ).

We will focus on the main endocrine glands, each of which produces different hormones, performing their own specific tasks in the body.

• The hypothalamus sits inside the brain and links your nervous system and the hormonal system. Nerve cells in the hypothalamus control the pituitary gland communicating with it when to begin and when to suppress the production of hormones.

• Hardly the size of a pea, the pituitary gland is located at the base of the brain and is considered the master gland, overseeing other glands in your body and regulating the hormones produced by them.