The endocrine system is a network of glands and tissues that produce and release hormones into the bloodstream. Hormones are chemical messengers that regulate many essential functions of the body, including growth, metabolism, reproduction, stress responses, sleep, mood, and maintenance of internal balance or homeostasis. In the context of yoga and yogic texts, understanding the endocrine system is important because several yogic practices are traditionally associated with physical and mental balance, relaxation, and regulation of bodily functions. The endocrine system consists of major glands such as the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, thyroid gland, parathyroid glands, adrenal glands, pancreas, pineal gland, thymus, ovaries in females, and testes in males. Unlike exocrine glands, which release their secretions through ducts, endocrine glands are ductless and release hormones directly into the blood. The hormones travel to specific target organs or tissues where they produce particular effects. The hypothalamus and pituitary gland play a central coordinating role by controlling the activities of several other endocrine glands. The hypothalamus, located in the brain, connects the nervous system with the endocrine system. It regulates functions such as body temperature, hunger, thirst, sleep, emotions, and hormonal activity. It controls the pituitary gland through releasing and inhibiting hormones. The pituitary gland is often called the master gland because it regulates several other endocrine glands. It produces