Yoga

Yoga is an ancient mind-body practice that aims to improve strength, flexibility and breathing through a series of postures and movements. It is a whole body philosophy that started over 5,000 years ago in India. In modern practice, there are many varieties and teaching styles, and people approach yoga for many different reasons.  One aim of yoga is to promote harmony between mind, body and spirit to help you feel calmer, stronger and more resilient.

Some forms of yoga are quite strenuous, while others are gentler and focus more on meditation and breath work.

Yoga approaches for cancer patients can include physical postures, breathing practices, and meditation. The research base for yoga in cancer continues to expand. Yoga was found to reduce fatigue and sleep disturbances as well as improve depression and anxiety symptoms in breast cancer patients. With patients receiving chemotherapy or radiation therapy, yoga was found to reduce fatigue and improve physical functioning and general quality of life. In men who had received radiation therapy for prostate cancer, there was some improvement of urinary and sexual dysfunction with yoga therapy. It may also improve cognitive functioning in cancer patients.

Yoga is generally safe, though postures and breathing exercises should be tailored to your needs.  Not all people can do all yoga postures safely.  If your physical function is limited or you have injuries, heart or breathing problems, it is wise to work with a well-trained yoga teacher to help guide you in your yoga practice.  Many communities offer chair yoga classes for people with limited mobility, strength, or those who are at risk of falling. Additionally, most yoga postures can be safely and gently adapted to protect you from injury, respect your body’s current state of health and functioning, and to meet your personal physical and mind-body goals.